What happens when you target the root cause of indolent systemic mastocytosis?

In this episode of The Itch Review, we unpack key findings from the article “Avapritinib versus Placebo in Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis,” published on May 23, 2023, in NEJM Evidence.

Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis (ISM) is a rare chronic disease with life-altering symptoms. Until recently, treatment options were limited. We break down new data from Part 2 of the PIONEER study, which evaluated Avapritinib, a targeted therapy designed to inhibit the KIT D816V mutation that drives ISM.

Dr. Gupta and Dr. Blaiss explain how Avapritinib works, how the study was designed, and what outcomes were measured, including the Total Symptom Score (TSS). Most importantly, we explore what this treatment could mean for patients with moderate to severe ISM.

INFOGRAPHIC

Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to Blueprint Medicines 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.

Is it too early to start planning for school when summer has just begun? Not if your child has food allergies.

Dr. Nikki Chase, a board-certified allergist-immunologist, joins us to share what families need to know to prepare for a safe and successful school year. From school forms and emergency plans to when to self-carry epinephrine and how to teach self-advocacy, this episode is filled with practical, real-life guidance.

We discuss how to make the most of your summer doctor visits, why early planning matters, and how newer epinephrine options, like the nasal spray, may help reduce fear and delay in use. You’ll also hear Dr. Chase’s advice on helping kids build confidence and take ownership of their allergy care.

Produced in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network. Thanks to ARS Pharma for sponsoring this 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.

Have you ever wondered what happens after an anaphylactic reaction?

How do you process everything that went down, from ingesting the allergen to using epinephrine? In this candid conversation, Kortney sits down with Tamara Hubbard, a licensed clinical professional counselor, to unpack the emotional aftermath of a severe allergic reaction.

Kortney shares her own recent experience of self-administering epinephrine for the first time after over 30 years of living with food allergies. Together, they explore how guilt, self-doubt, and family dynamics can shape recovery and how to move forward without letting fear or shame take over.

Tamara Hubbard, MA, LCPC is a licensed clinical professional counselor and the founder of the Food Allergy Counselor Directory & Website. She specializes in helping individuals and families navigate the emotional and mental health challenges that come with managing food allergies. Tamara is passionate about empowering people to build confidence and resilience while living safely with food allergies.

Learn more about Tamara’s work at FoodAllergyCounselor.com.

Do patients and their healthcare teams view the impact of indolent systemic mastocytosis on quality of life in the same way?

In this episode of The Itch Review, we unpack key findings from a May 4, 2025, descriptive study from The Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology, “Patient and Advanced Practitioner Perspectives on Symptom Burden and Symptom Management in Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis.”

Is there a disconnect between what patients feel and what providers think when it comes to indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM)? A new study suggests yes, revealing a mismatch between how patients and advanced practitioners (APs) perceive disease control and what that means for care. This episode dives into whether research like this could help bridge the gap between patient experience and clinical perspective.

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The Itch Review, hosted by Dr. Gupta, Kortney, and Dr. Blaiss, explores the latest allergy and immunology studies, breaking down complex research in conversations accessible to clinicians, patients, and caregivers. Each episode provides key insights from journal articles and includes a one-page infographic in the show notes for easy reference.

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

Thanks to Blueprint Medicines 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.

There have been countless advances in controller therapies for asthma, but our go-to rescue inhaler, a quick-relief bronchodilator, hasn’t changed in decades.

In this episode of The Itch Review, we spotlight “As-Needed Albuterol–Budesonide in Mild Asthma” published in The New England Journal of Medicine, May 19, 2025. This article looks at the BATURA trial, which tested whether adding budesonide to albuterol rescue inhalers cuts exacerbations in adults whose mild asthma remains uncontrolled on occasional albuterol/short-acting beta agonist (SABA) therapy.

Could this combo inhaler really cut severe asthma attacks in people with mild disease?

GET THE INFOGRAPHIC PDF HERE

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The Itch Review, hosted by Dr. Gupta, Kortney, and Dr. Blaiss, explores the latest allergy and immunology studies, breaking down complex research in conversations accessible to clinicians, patients, and caregivers. Each episode provides key insights from journal articles and includes a one-page infographic in the show notes for easy reference.

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This podcast is 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 professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.

Have you ever wondered whether fexofenadine (Allegra®) really doesn’t make you drowsy?

In this episode of The Itch Review, we dissect a July 2024 systematic review from Current Medical Research & Opinion, “Why fexofenadine is considered a truly non-sedating antihistamine with no brain penetration.” 

This rigorous systematic review pools over 60 human studies from PET brain-scan trials and Proportional Impairment Ratio (PIR) tests to driving-simulator research and real-world quality-of-life surveys. It looks to answer one question: Does fexofendine ever sneak past the blood–brain barrier and slow you down like first-generation allergy meds?

This episode looks at the evolution of H1 antihistamines from first-generation drugs like diphenhydramine to today’s second-generation options (cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine) to show how each interacts with the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and why that matters for sedation.

We highlight the review’s key studies:

Finally, we dive into real-world outcomes on reaction times, work-and-school performance, pediatric safety, and even NASA’s approval for pilot use.

GET THE INFOGRAPHIC TO FOLLOW ALONG

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The Itch Review, hosted by Dr. Gupta, Kortney, and Dr. Blaiss, explores the latest allergy and immunology studies through 30-minute conversations that are accessible for everyone. This podcast aims to support busy clinicians, patients, and caregivers in staying updated on current research. Each episode provides valuable insights from key journal articles and includes a convenient one-page infographic in the show notes for easy reference.

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

Thanks to Opella 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.

Stepping into young adulthood also means stepping up as the primary manager of your food allergies.

For teens and young adults with food allergies, early adulthood is an exciting but challenging shift. It’s the first time you’re the primary communicator, managing everything from dining halls to doctor’s appointments on your own. Add in new living spaces, new friends, and a growing social life, and there’s a lot to navigate.

Dr. Theresa Bingemann joins Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta to unpack how food allergy management changes as you step into early adulthood. We cover self-advocacy skills, emergency preparedness, how to create allergy-friendly spaces in shared housing, and tips for navigating social life safely. Plus, we dive into practical advice for managing stress, staying emotionally healthy, and finding your footing in this new phase of life.

Episode 6 in our “Food Allergies: Ages & Stages” series 

Across six episodes, we explore how food allergies show up and shift through different phases of life, from introducing solids in infancy to navigating school and adapting in adulthood. We’re here with evidence-based info, expert insights, and lived experience to guide you through it all.

AAAAI Ages & Stages PDFs

Thanks to Genentech and Aquestive for sponsoring this 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.

Independence, risk-taking, and peer pressure. Welcome to the teenage years with food allergies!

Managing food allergies during the teen years poses new challenges. Tweens and teens are gaining independence, navigating social pressures, and taking more responsibility for their health. But this is also the stage where risky behavior peaks, and the risk for severe allergic reactions is highest. That’s why clear communication and trust matter more than ever.

In this episode of our Food Allergy Stages Series, Dr. Travis Miller joins Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta to unpack how food allergy management changes from ages 12 to 18. We talk about empowering teens through shared decision-making, building trust between parents and teens, and developing essential life skills like label reading, restaurant communication, and self-advocacy. We also dive into difficult topics like bullying, alcohol, and mental health. Finally, we address why emotional support is just as important as carrying an epinephrine auto-injector.

Episode 5 in our “Food Allergies: Ages & Stages” series 

Across six episodes, we explore how food allergies show up and shift through different phases of life, from introducing solids in infancy to navigating school and adapting in adulthood. We’re here with evidence-based info, expert insights, and lived experience to guide you through it all.

Thanks to Genentech and Aquestive for sponsoring this 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.

How do you help your child go from knowing they have a food allergy to actually managing it in everyday life?

This is the stage when everything starts to shift. Between the ages of 5 and 11, your child is learning how to describe symptoms, speak up at school, and navigate birthday parties. They’re also watching you closely and picking up how to talk about food allergies based on how you do it.

In this episode of our Food Allergy Stages & Stages Series, pediatric allergist and immunologist Dr. Dave Stukus joins Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta to talk about how food allergy care changes in the early school years. 

Episode 4 in our “Food Allergies: Ages & Stages” series 

Across six episodes, we explore how food allergies show up and shift through different phases of life, from introducing solids in infancy to navigating school and adapting in adulthood. We’re here with evidence-based info, expert insights, and lived experience to guide you through it all.

Made in partnership with the Allergy & Asthma Network. Thanks to Genentech and Aquestive 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.

Timestamps

01:42 Breaking down food allergy care by age group

02:58 What kids need to know about living with food allergies

04:47 Sharing allergy information without creating fear

06:40 Talking to children about symptoms

08:40 What to tell kids about epinephrine

11:04 Helping kids without passing on fear or anxiety

13:18 Mental health signs related to food allergies

16:04 Managing allergens in the home environment

19:50 The pros and cons of allergy tables at school

21:42 Communicating with schools and daycares

25:29 Preparing for parties and sleepovers

27:33 Final tips for parenting kids with food allergies (ages 5–11)

How do you keep a baby or toddler safe with food allergies when they put everything in their mouths and can’t yet explain how they feel?

This stage of life is full of firsts, not just for your child, but for you as a parent managing food allergies. From introducing new foods to navigating daycare and watching for reactions in a child who can’t speak yet, there are countless moments you’ll need to manage. This episode focuses on building safe habits early, empowering caregivers, and showing how simple routines (like label reading or toy wiping) can make a big difference.

Allergist Dr. Basil Kahwash joins Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta to explore how food allergy care evolves from infancy through preschool. They cover real-life, practical strategies from wiping toys and watching for symptoms to managing daycare risks and building early self-advocacy skills.

Episode 3 in our “Food Allergies: Ages & Stages” series 

Across six episodes, we explore how food allergies show up and shift through different phases of life, from introducing solids in infancy to navigating school and adapting in adulthood. We’re here with evidence-based info, expert insights, and lived experience to guide you through it all.

Episodes to build a better food allergy foundation:

Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to Genentech and Aquestive 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.