The Itch: Allergies, Asthma, Eczema & Immunology

Most adults with asthma never receive education about managing their condition, even though it is proven to help with better asthma control. The reason comes down to access. In this episode, we explore a digital platform called BREATHE, built from the ground up to change that.

Dr. Payel Gupta and Kortney sit down with the two lead authors behind “Development and Usability of a Digital Asthma Self-management Education Platform: BRinging Exercise, Asthma Assessments, and TeacHing to Everyone (BREATHE)” published in JACI: In Practice, March 2026. De De Gardner and Sheryl Flynn, CEO, talk about how BREATHE was developed, what the app includes, and what the data showed after patients and providers put it to the test.

What we cover in this episode about asthma self-management

Asthma self-management education and why most adults never receive it.

How BREATHE was built using a user-centered design process, shaped by what adults with asthma and healthcare providers said they actually needed.

What the BREATHE platform includes: asthma lessons, validated control assessments, and an Asthma Action Plan, all in one app, in English and Spanish.

What the usability study found: adults rated the app in the 81st percentile, providers rated the dashboard in the 76th percentile, and 80% considered making a behavior change after just two weeks.

Where the program is now and where it is going, including how to access the free Allergy and Asthma Network Virtual Asthma Coaching Program today.

Allergy and Asthma Network Virtual Asthma Coaching Program and the Spanish program.

This podcast is made in partnership with the Allergy & Asthma Network.

We are continuing our series of interviewing thought leaders in the field of allergy and immunology. Dr. Gupta and Kortney sit down with Dr. Carla Davis, the president of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

What we cover in this episode about Dr. Davis and the AAAAI

What the AAAAI is and why it matters to patients. A 7,000-member organization working behind the scenes to support allergy and immunology care across the US and around the world.

Dr. Davis's path to the presidency. From her early experiences advocating as a fellow to her major pivot from Baylor to Howard University, the journey that shaped her priorities.

Initiative: AAAAI Advocate. A new platform connecting patients and physicians directly to their legislators, making it easy to share your story and push for better access to allergy care.

Initiative: AAAAI AI Task Force. A dedicated group bringing AI tools into allergy care, including AAAAI Ignite, a Netflix-style platform that helps members find and curate personalized allergy content.

Initiative: The Collaborative Translational Mechanistic Research Seed Award. A $100,000 grant pairing laboratory scientists with clinical allergists to move new discoveries directly into patient care.

More resources

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

AAAAI Advocate platform

Allergy & Asthma Network health equity resources



 

This podcast is made in partnership with the Allergy & Asthma Network.

Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta are joined by Tamara Hubbard, MA, LCPC, a licensed clinical professional counselor and food-allergy parent. Together, they dig into what food allergy anxiety actually looks like in teenagers, why some teens take more risks as they get older, and what parents can do to support their teens without making things worse.

What we cover in this episode is about food allergy anxiety in teens:

What makes teenagers a high-risk group for food allergy reactions. Independence is increasing at the exact same time parental oversight is decreasing, and that combination creates real safety concerns.

What food allergy risk-taking actually looks like. It is not always what parents expect, and some of it is just teens figuring out how to belong.

Food allergy social anxiety is its own distinct experience. The fear of looking different, being a burden, or standing out can drive behavior just as much as the fear of a reaction.

Why parental anxiety matters more than most parents realize. The way parents talk about food allergies often directly affects how teens handle them.

How to build confidence and ownership in your teen. What to do when a teen is either too anxious or not anxious enough.

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Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to Genentech and Kaléo for sponsoring today’s episode. 

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

Food allergy anxiety in kids is real, and it does not always look like fear. It can show up as tantrums, clinginess, control-seeking behaviors, or a child who refuses to eat at a restaurant. Child life specialist and therapist Kelsey Mora joins Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta to unpack what is really going on. 

What we cover in our episode about managing anxiety in kids

Food allergy anxiety does not always look like anxiety. Tantrums, clinginess, and control-seeking behaviors can all be signs that a child is struggling.

Language matters from the start. How parents explain food allergies to young children can build confidence or quietly reinforce fear.

Separation anxiety and food allergies are connected. Dependence on parents can make it harder for kids to navigate school, parties, and social situations on their own.

Practicing independence at home builds real-world skills. Exposure to allergens in a safe home environment teaches confidence and communication skills kids need everywhere else.

Passing parental anxiety onto kids. Co-regulation starts with the caregiver, when parents are anxious, kids have a harder time calming down.

Helpful resources

Food allergy anxiety information from Allergy & Asthma Network

Kelsey's practice and services: childlifetherapist.com 

Kelsey's workbooks and resources: themethodworkbooks.com 

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Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to Genentech and Kaléo for sponsoring today’s episode. 

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

Mia Silverman, food allergy advocate, joins us to talk about the real emotional and practical side of dating with food allergies. From what the research says about kissing risks to setting boundaries to why your allergies might actually be the best filter you have.

What we cover in this episode about dating with food allergies

When to tell someone about your food allergies. Mia shares why she brings up her allergies early and how she works it into her dating app profile without making it a big deal.

Fear of rejection. Mia opens up about being ghosted and bullied, and how she learned to reframe rejection as a filter rather than a failure.

The risks of kissing with food allergies. Dr. Gupta breaks down what the research actually says about allergens in saliva and what your partner can do to reduce the risk.

Intimacy beyond kissing. From latex-free condoms to body fluids, Dr. Gupta covers what food allergy patients need to know about being safely intimate with a partner.

Date ideas and setting boundaries. Mia shares practical tips for early dates, setting food-allergy rules, and keeping the conversation open without making it feel overwhelming.

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Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to Genentech and Kaléo for sponsoring today’s episode. 

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