The Itch: Allergies, Asthma, Eczema & Immunology

For decades, the rescue inhaler was simple: feel tight, take a puff, breathe easier. But the newest asthma guidelines have changed what's actually recommended inside that inhaler, shifting away from plain albuterol toward a combination inhaler that treats symptoms and inflammation at the same time.

Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta are joined by Dr. Bill McCann, allergist and CEO of Allergy Partners, to break down why this combo inhaler approach is now preferred, what it actually contains, and why auto-refilling your old rescue inhaler might be working against you.

What we cover in this episode about rescue inhalers

Understanding asthma: the boiling pot analogy. Dr. McCann explains asthma inflammation using a pot of water on the stove, and why a bronchodilator alone never turns down the heat.

Why a combo inhaler is now preferred. The newest guidelines recommend a single inhaler containing both a fast-acting bronchodilator and a low dose of anti-inflammatory steroid.

AIR and MART, explained simply. Two ways doctors are using this combo inhaler: either as-needed only, or as a daily plus as-needed routine.

The myth of "mild" asthma. Why intermittent or infrequent symptoms don't mean you're free from risk.

The auto-refill trap. Why an automatic pharmacy refill on your old rescue inhaler can quietly hide worsening asthma control from your doctor.

More resources

GINA 2026 Strategy Report (official source)

What is asthma?

Listen to the BATURA Trial

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Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to AstraZeneca for sponsoring today’s episode. 

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professio

Most asthma peak week coverage focuses on kids heading back to school. But adults with asthma are just as much at risk, and often don't realize it until they're already in trouble. 

Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta are joined by allergist Dr. Ashwin Shankar to talk about why asthma peak week hits adults hard, how normalizing symptoms can quietly put you at risk, and what steps to take before the season catches up with you.

What we cover in this episode about adult asthma peak week

What asthma peak week is, and why fall hits so hard. The third week of September brings the highest asthma-related ER visits and hospitalizations of the year.

Where fall triggers hide. Teachers and school staff face mold in buildings that sat closed all summer, outdoor workers get hit with ragweed and sudden cold mornings, and farm workers stir up mold and dust during harvest.

Why even controlled asthma can slip during peak week. Trigger load stacks up fast this time of year, and a flare during peak week doesn't mean you're doing something wrong.

The adult habit of normalizing symptoms. Skipping hikes, avoiding stairs, or accepting a lingering cough are signs asthma isn't controlled, not just signs of getting older.

How to get ahead of peak week before it hits. Confirm your asthma action plan, track how often you're reaching for your rescue inhaler, and get your flu shot at least two weeks before September ramps up.

Resources

Do You Have an Asthma Action Plan?

A Comprehensive Guide for Asthma Treatments & Medication

10 Ways to Stay Healthy During the September Asthma Peak Week

Lifestyle Changes to Manage Asthma

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Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to AstraZeneca and Amgen for sponsoring today’s episode. 

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.

Every September, doctors see a jump in asthma attacks and ER visits. It's called Asthma Peak Week, and it usually hits the third week of September, right when families are settling into their school routines. 

Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta are joined again by Liz Elliott, a nurse administrator in school health services for Montgomery County, Maryland, and a returning guest from our food allergy episode. This time, Liz answers the questions parents ask most about asthma at school, from what actually happens during a flare to whether their child's inhaler needs to be with them or in the health room.

What we cover in this episode about Asthma Peak Week from the school nurse perspective

Can my child self-carry their inhaler? The rules on self-carry, and why kindergartners and teenagers are handled differently.

Does the school have stock rescue inhalers (albuterol)? What stock albuterol is, and what happens if your child's own inhaler isn't there yet.

What happens if my child has a flare at school? Learn the protocol that is in place if your child experiences an asthma attack, and what happens for kids who experience their first asthma flare.

Signs of asthma parents might miss that their child's asthma is not under control. Nighttime awakenings and an "asthma cough" can all be early warning signs.

Closing the gap between home and school. Why the plan your provider signs has to match what's sent to school, and what to bring on day one.

More resources

Allergy & Asthma Network: How to Avoid the September Asthma Peak

Allergy & Asthma Network: Asthma Action Plan

Allergy & Asthma Network: Managing Asthma at School

Allergy & Asthma Network: School Resources

Listen: Ep. 135: Food Allergies in School, A School Nurse's Perspective

CDC Asthma School Resources

NASN Asthma CPG and Toolkit

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Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to AstraZeneca and Amgen for sponsoring today’s episode. 

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.

Wildfire smoke used to feel like someone else's problem. Now it can show up on air quality alerts hundreds of miles from any actual fire, and for anyone with asthma, that hazy sky can mean real trouble breathing.

In this episode, Kortney and Dr. Gupta are joined by Dr. Neelu Tummala, an ENT physician and climate health expert, to talk about why wildfires are getting more frequent and intense, what is actually in wildfire smoke, and the everyday steps that can protect your lungs, your family, and even your pets.

What we cover in this episode about wildfire smoke and asthma

Why wildfires are intensifying. Warmer, drier conditions have extended the wildfire season by about a month compared with 35 years ago.

What's actually in the smoke. PM2.5 particles make up most of wildfire smoke's mass and are small enough to slip past your body's natural filters.

How it affects your body. Smoke can irritate the nose, throat, and ears before it ever reaches your lungs, and it can also affect heart and brain health.

Who's most at risk. Babies, kids, older adults, pregnant women, and anyone with asthma, COPD, or heart disease need extra caution.

How to protect yourself. Check the AQI, wear a well-fitted N95, run air purifiers, and keep pets indoors during smoky days.

More resources

How Wildfire Smoke Can Worsen Your Asthma

How Climate Change Impacts Allergies and Asthma

Find out about your local air quality: Asthma and Allergy Forecast

American Lung Association: State of the Air report, PDF version

Wildfires and asthma from the American Lung Association

NYC Resources: Cooling options and Cooling centers

This podcast is made in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network

Chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) is the type that makes up most chronic sinusitis cases. It's often mistaken for allergies, a lingering cold, or migraines, which can delay a proper diagnosis for years.

Dr. Gupta and Kortney sit down with Dr. Anju Peters, an allergist at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, to unpack how this condition is actually diagnosed, why it can take patients years to get an answer, and which treatments have real evidence behind them.

What we cover in this episode about chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps

Two types of chronic sinusitis. About 75% of chronic sinusitis patients do not have nasal polyps, and about 20 to 25% do, and the treatment path differs depending on which type you have.

Getting the right diagnosis. Doctors confirm chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps by combining at least 12 weeks of symptoms with objective proof of inflammation.

Ruling out look-alikes. Allergies, colds, and migraines can all cause similar congestion and pressure, so doctors pay close attention to how long symptoms last and whether inflammation is actually confirmed.

Building a treatment toolkit. Nasal steroid sprays are the backbone of treatment.

When to consider surgery. When sinus surgery becomes the next step in sinus care.

Resources:

Ep. 133 What Is Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP)?

Ep. 149 What is Chronic Rhinosinusitis without Nasal Polyps

Allergy & Asthma Network: chronic rhinosinusitis overview

How is chronic rhinosinusitis diagnosed

Treatment and management of chronic rhinosinusitis

What is chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

How to use the FDA-approved nasal spray

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Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to Insmed for sponsoring today’s episode. 

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.