My Allergist Dad

My Allergist Dad
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

My Allergist Dad is the show where comedian Drew Zwetchkenbaum teams up with his real-life father - board-certified allergist and immunologist Dr. Z - to break down the mysteries of allergies . Every week they answer real questions from listeners and from Dr. Z’s own patients, mixing expert answers with father–son banter, jokes, and the occasional family story. New episodes every Monday!

  1. 2d ago

    Autoimmune Conditions, Allergies & Control: Sydney on Living With Type 1 Diabetes and Hashimoto’s

    Drew and Dr. Z welcome Drew’s fiancée, Sydney, to discuss her experience living with two autoimmune diseases—Type 1 diabetes since age five and Hashimoto’s since adolescence—and how autoimmune conditions overlap with allergies through inflammation and the immune system. They explore genetic predisposition plus triggers, the importance of taking control of chronic illness through education and daily habits, and how technology like CGMs and insulin pumps has transformed diabetes management. The conversation covers nutrition, walking after meals, preparedness, and the mixed value of non-diabetics using CGMs. Dr. Z shares a case linking Hashimoto’s, celiac disease, and hives, and they discuss reducing inflammation, gluten-free eating, gut health, probiotics, and how medical advances have dramatically improved outcomes across many conditions.00:00 Welcome and Teaser00:36 Meet Sydney02:23 Sydney Autoimmune Story02:59 Autoimmune Continuum Explained06:16 Taking Back Control09:25 Diabetes Tech and CGMs12:06 Should Non Diabetics Track Glucose16:55 Hashimotos Celiac and Inflammation23:47 Medical Progress Then and Now30:06 Diabetes Camp and Daily Habits34:36 Gut Health Food Sensitivities38:32 Fasting Probiotics and Dog Talk43:09 Wrap Up and Final Thoughts📩 Have a question for the show?Email: myallergistdad@gmail.com

  2. Aug 10

    Cyclospora Outbreak: How to Protect Yourself + Gut Microbiome Recovery

    Drew and Dr. Z discuss the 2026 cyclospora outbreak and practical steps to reduce exposure, including washing hands, thoroughly scrubbing produce, cutting away bruised areas, and cooking produce to at least 158°F/70°C since washing alone can’t guarantee removal. They note CDC reports of at least 10,000 laboratory-confirmed domestic cases since May 1, 2026, and talk about how food-system factors limit individual control, while lifestyle and microbiome health may influence how severely someone is affected. Dr. Z shares an “aha” about chronic hives potentially worsening after unhealthy meals and alcohol due to liver strain, estrogen and histamine backup, and effects on mast cells, especially in menopausal women with fatty liver. They also cover rebuilding the microbiome after GI illness with improved diet and possible probiotics.00:00 Cyclospora Outbreak Intro00:35 Show Theme Song01:01 Fatty Liver And Hives06:29 Agency And Food Safety09:25 Cooking Produce Tips10:25 Where Cyclospora Comes From11:22 Taco Bell Talk14:12 Rebuilding The Microbiome16:00 Gut Parasites Q And A18:26 Wrap Up And Disclaimers📩 Have a question for the show?Email: myallergistdad@gmail.com

  3. Aug 3

    Following Your Passion and Getting Creative to Live a More Balanced Lifestyle with Lucas Foglia

    This week on My Allergist Dad, Drew and Dr. Z sit down with fine art photographer and longtime family friend Lucas Foglia to talk about health, happiness, and how lifestyle and mindset can shape stress, immunity, and overall well-being. Lucas shares the inspiration behind his book and exhibition Constant Bloom, which follows the painted lady butterfly migration from Kenya to Norway as a symbol of connection across borders, and describes turning photography into a purpose-driven way of living. They discuss balance and stress as both fuel and risk, the “dirt” and allergy conversation, why some people are more allergy-prone, and how food culture and dietary restrictions show up differently in the Bay Area versus Paris. He also recounts a powerful encounter in Tunisia that led him to volunteer with refugee resettlement groups and reflects on art, family connection, and living with meaning.00:00 Butterflies And Allergies Cold Open01:02 Show Intro And Guest Welcome02:36 San Francisco Check In03:09 From Photos To Film04:59 Purpose Fuels Health07:19 Doughnut Economics And Welfare11:17 Constant Bloom Migration Story13:37 Dirt Exposure And Allergy Debate16:35 Food Restrictions And Dinner Parties22:40 Stress Balance And Immunity26:57 Vaccines And Modern Anxiety28:29 Borders Migration And Meaning30:00 Closing Thoughts And Art Connection34:27 Outro And Medical Disclaimer 📩 Have a question for the show?Email: myallergistdad@gmail.com

  4. Jul 27

    Metabolomics, Machine Learning & the Future of Precision Medicine with Dr. Elizabeth O’Day of Olaris

    Drew and Dr. Z welcome Dr. Elizabeth O’Day, CEO, CSO, and founder of Olaris, to discuss how her company combines biology, metabolomics, and machine learning to create diagnostics that support real clinical decision-making. Liz shares how her brother’s childhood cancer experience motivated her to pursue tools that reduce today’s trial-and-error medicine and better match therapies to individuals. She explains biomarkers (genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic), describing metabolites as small molecules that reflect real-time body function and are often the “fingerprint of phenotype.” The conversation focuses on Olaris’ urine-based test for kidney transplant recipients, which uses metabolite patterns to distinguish stable grafts from rejection, borderline rejection, or infection—conditions with opposite treatments—along with new work on a pediatric transplant assay to reduce reliance on biopsies.00:00 Meet Dr. Liz O'Day01:57 Olaris Mission Overview04:16 Why She Founded Olaris08:05 Precision Medicine In Practice11:05 Biomarkers And Phenotypes13:27 Metabolites 101 Explained14:30 Lifestyle, Diet, And The Metabolome19:12 Genes Versus Metabolites22:35 Urine Tests And Ancient Clues23:42 Metabolites Guide Immunity25:27 Transplant Test Explained27:32 Rejection Versus Infection29:37 Precision Medicine Landscape33:39 Pediatric Transplant Breakthrough36:12 Digestive Rest And Fruit Talk38:18 Coconut Stories And Metabolites40:11 Wrap Up And Future Promise41:43 Show Outro And Thanks📩 Have a question for the show?Email: myallergistdad@gmail.com

  5. Jul 6

    Allergy Doctor Reacts To Allergies Seen in Film & TV | My Allergist Dad

    FARE criticized the show Not Suitable for Work for portraying a character repeatedly eating shellfish despite an allergy and self-injecting epinephrine, then going to the ER for “adrenaline poisoning,” prompting Drew and Dr. Z to discuss how allergies are depicted in film and TV and what’s medically accurate. Dr. Z emphasizes epinephrine as the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis and explains why Benadryl is not adequate for life-threatening reactions, the need for emergency evaluation due to risks like biphasic reactions, and the real side effects and dosing concerns of epinephrine. They also address correct EpiPen technique, risks of incorrect injection (including to the neck), newer options like Auvi-Q and nasal epinephrine, and review portrayals from Hitch, Horrible Bosses, Malcolm in the Middle (poison oak timing and rash type), Royal Pains, Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat, and Pulp Fiction, noting some accuracy but frequent exaggeration.00:00 FARE Calls Out TV Scene00:50 Show Setup And Alpha Gal01:28 Not Suitable For Work Breakdown02:52 Epinephrine Versus Benadryl06:41 Risks And Repeat Dosing10:26 Proper EpiPen Use11:40 Accidental Injection Effects15:46 Jury Duty And Chronic Hives20:16 Triggers And Enabling Factors21:38 Hitch Reaction Accuracy24:55 Poison Oak Mythbusting26:46 Royal Pains And Pulp Fiction29:12 Poison Ivy Timing Explained31:22 Wrap Up And Final Thoughts34:16 Medical Disclaimer 📩 Have a question for the show?Email: myallergistdad@gmail.com

  6. Jun 29

    Alpha-gal Syndrome Explained: Tick Bites, Meat Allergy, Delayed Reactions & What to Avoid

    Drew and Dr. Z discuss Alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-bite–associated allergy to non-primate mammal products that can cause delayed reactions, including hives, throat tightness, GI symptoms like diarrhea, and even anaphylaxis hours after eating. They explain that Alpha-gal was once tied mainly to the lone star tick in the South but is now being seen more widely, including Rhode Island, with other ticks like the blacklegged and western blacklegged ticks. Dr. Z shares real patient cases—from cookout-triggered reactions to chronic GI and skin symptoms resolving after eliminating mammal-derived foods—and emphasizes that testing (alpha-gal IgE) must be interpreted with symptoms in mind, since positive tests without symptoms may not require avoidance. They also note growing concerns about links to medications, medical devices, and possible cardiac implications, and stress balancing awareness with avoiding unnecessary anxiety.Here's a recent article about the rise of Alpha-gal syndrome:https://www.wsj.com/health/the-ticks-that-cause-red-meat-allergies-are-on-the-move-this-summer-b53d01eb?st=JWadDx&reflink=article_imessage_share00:00 Alpha-gal Overview01:03 Show Intro Theme01:20 Zoo Penguins Detour03:01 What Is Alpha-gal?03:44 Ticks And Spread05:23 Real Anaphylaxis Cases07:05 Testing And Diagnosis08:32 GI And Skin Symptoms10:17 Avoidance And Hidden Sources11:50 When To Stop Meat12:33 Why Testing Can Backfire13:58 Lyme Trial Screening16:27 How Clinicians Decide18:47 Elimination Diet Approach21:46 Lyme And Tick Prevention23:29 Treatment And Delayed Reactions27:33 Balancing Risk And Anxiety28:48 Wrap Up And Disclaimer📩 Have a question for the show?Email: myallergistdad@gmail.com

  7. Jun 22

    Baby Eczema Breakthrough: Crisco Barrier + Allergy Drops (Follow-Up w/ Abby Z) | My Allergist Dad

    In this follow-up episode of My Allergist Dad, Drew and Dr. Z welcome back Abby to share updates on her infant son Joey’s progress with eczema and multiple allergies. Abby describes Joey’s early severe atopic dermatitis, egg-triggered hives, positive tests to dog, pistachio, and cashew, and how a daily routine improved his skin: nightly baths, ceramide baby moisturizer, heavy Crisco layering, and prescription topical treatment when needed. They discuss giving baked egg mini muffins weekly, maintaining peanut exposure with Bamba, and offering other common allergens weekly, plus a daily probiotic. Dr. Z explains why improving the skin barrier matters, and why sublingual immunotherapy drops (currently dog only) have a strong safety profile and may help build tolerance; Abby reports Joey now has minimal reactions around dogs.00:00 Crisco Eczema Breakthrough00:46 Show Intro and Guests04:33 Joey Allergy Backstory06:57 Daily Barrier Routine08:24 Baked Egg and Drops09:37 Dog Allergy Mythbusting10:52 Early Desensitization Science12:59 Diet Variety and Microbiome16:15 Taking Control Long Term18:57 When to Start Food Drops19:27 Drops Versus Shots20:21 Why Sublingual Is Safer21:36 Sticking With The Routine22:00 Allergy Season And Dog Prep23:26 Dolly And Joey Updates24:52 Progress And Real Life Exposure26:49 Baked Egg To Pancakes29:19 Sourdough And Baking Talk31:08 Rocky Ring Bearer Jokes32:12 Wrap Up And Disclaimer 📩 Have a question for the show?Email: myallergistdad@gmail.com

  8. Jun 15

    Allergy & Dermatology Overlap: Hives, Dermatitis, and The Skin of Color Clinic w/ Dr. Elnaz Firoz

    Drew and Dr. Z are joined by Dr. Elnaz Firoz, Medical Director of Dermatology at The Miriam Hospital and founder of the Skin of Color Clinic, to discuss the major overlap between dermatology and allergy and why fragmented, multi-specialist care can delay diagnosis. They cover the importance of thorough skin exams, challenges recognizing inflammation and eczema on darker skin, and common issues in skin of color such as pigment changes, hidradenitis suppurativa, and keloids. The conversation explores how “allergy” can include drug hypersensitivity and immune reactions like leukocytoclastic vasculitis, plus rising urticaria and contact dermatitis (including from wipes). They discuss insurance barriers, the impact of stress and lifestyle on inflammation, concerns about widespread Botox use and developing resistance, and practical sun protection guidance emphasizing mineral sunscreens and protective clothing.00:00 Allergies and Skin Intro00:43 Meet Dr. Firoz01:58 Specialists and Care Coordination04:30 Why Full Skin Exams Matter07:11 Skin of Color Clinic Focus08:18 Keloids Explained12:01 Acne and Cosmetic Bias14:41 Drug Pricing and Access18:49 Allergy Driven Skin Reactions20:32 Vasculitis and Urticaria Basics26:21 Biologics and Diagnostic Pitfalls28:31 Medical Progress and Inflammation32:42 Root Cause Allergies32:53 Hormones Lifestyle Asthma34:43 Stress Triggered Hives36:57 Lifestyle Inequality Health39:51 Botox Immune Risks45:43 Food Additives Mast Cells48:02 Mineral Sunscreen Basics50:34 Wrap Up And Credits📩 Have a question for the show?Email: myallergistdad@gmail.com

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

My Allergist Dad is the show where comedian Drew Zwetchkenbaum teams up with his real-life father - board-certified allergist and immunologist Dr. Z - to break down the mysteries of allergies . Every week they answer real questions from listeners and from Dr. Z’s own patients, mixing expert answers with father–son banter, jokes, and the occasional family story. New episodes every Monday!

Information

  • Creator
    My Allergist Dad
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © My Allergist Dad
  • Show Website
    My Allergist Dad

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