Ep. 136: Food Allergy Treatments: What to Ask Your Doctor
Part of the series: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations Podcast
This podcast was made in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network.
We thank Genentech for sponsoring this episode. While they support the show, all opinions are our own, and sponsorship doesn’t influence our content or editorial decisions. Any mention of brands is for informational purposes and not an endorsement.
LISTEN TO EPISODE 136:
Avoidance has long been the standard for managing food allergies. But new options, such as oral immunotherapy (OIT) and biologic medications like Xolair (omalizumab), are changing the landscape. With more choices available, many patients and parents are wondering how to start the conversation with their allergist and what questions to ask.
Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta talk with Dr. Shahzad Mustafa, a board-certified allergist and immunologist, about how patients can navigate today’s food allergy treatments with confidence. Together, they explore what to consider before starting OIT or Xolair, how to set realistic expectations, and why strict avoidance is still the right choice for many families.
What we cover in our episode about food allergy treatment options:
Food Allergy Avoidance: Why it remains an effective and valid approach for many, and how to make it work in daily life, including the nuances that make every case unique.
Oral Immunotherapy (OIT): What it involves, who it’s best suited for, and what families should know about time, cost, and safety.
Xolair (omalizumab): How this injection therapy works to reduce reactions from accidental exposures and what it doesn’t do.
Combining therapies: Using OIT and Xolair together might make sense.
Setting expectations: How to talk with your allergist about your goals, quality of life, and what “success” really looks like.About our school nurse:
About our allergy treatment expert-guest
Dr. Shahzad Mustafa is Chief of the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at Rochester Regional Health. He provides care for children and adults with allergic and immune conditions and is passionate about improving access to innovative therapies for food allergy.
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More resources about food allergies
Food Allergy Treatment & Management
Living with Food Allergies
Managing Allergies in Schools for Parents
School Plans for Students with Food Allergies
More episodes about food allergies
Ep. 129: Omalizumab for Multiple Food Allergies – The OUtMATCH Trial
Ep. 93: Neffy Epinephrine Nasal Spray - A New Needle-Free Treatment for Anaphylaxis
More Food Allergy Episodes!
Timestamps
Our episode explores food allergy treatments and what to consider when deciding if one is right for you.
01:12 Meet Dr. Shahzad Mustafa
02:03 Overview of food allergy treatment options
06:33 Questions to ask before choosing a treatment
09:16 How to compare the options
11:36 Setting realistic expectations
15:18 What to know about avoidance
19:37 What to know about oral immunotherapy (OIT)
26:50 Why OIT should only be done under an allergist’s care
28:20 What to know about Xolair
32:47 When OIT and Xolair are used together
