Do natural and herbal remedies actually work for allergies, or is it mostly hype? In this episode of My Allergist Dad, Drew poses that question to his dad, Dr. Z, a top allergist and immunologist, and the answers go way beyond “drink this tea.”

They break down real, evidence-backed options like quercetin with bromelain, nettle tea, probiotics, and vitamin C, and explain how food itself can act like medicine. You’ll learn why a diet full of fruits and vegetables can reduce inflammation, how your gut microbiome connects to allergies, and why lifestyle changes matter just as much as supplements.

Along the way, they talk dust mites, air-drying clothes, freezing stuffed animals, and whether honey makes a difference or is benefitting from the placebo effect. Then the episode turns personal as Dr. Z shares his own childhood battle with asthma and the moment that set him on the path to becoming an allergist.

It’s a mix of practical allergy advice, myth-busting, and a father-son story about learning how to breathe better—literally and figuratively.

Have a question? email myallergiestdad@gmail.com

You grew up with pets. They slept on your bed. You were fine. Then you leave for college, come home for the holidays… and suddenly your own dog makes you break out in hives. What happened?

In this episode, Drew and his allergist dad, Dr. Z, unpack a listener’s question about “losing immunity” to pets—and whether that tolerance can come back. They explain how living with an animal can act like “natural allergy drops,” why time away can make symptoms feel way worse, and how stress, sleep, and college life can throw your immune system out of alignment.

You’ll learn the difference between true “immunity” and changing reactivity, why your body has an allergy threshold, and what to do if going home now feels like walking into a sneeze factory. From pre-gaming visits with meds to long-term sublingual immunotherapy, this episode offers practical ways to stay connected to your family and their pets—without suffering.

If you’ve ever wondered why your childhood dog suddenly feels like a biological weapon, this one’s for you.

Do you have questions? Email us at myallergistdad@gmail.com

Itchy, blistering skin that won’t go away? Before you blame food, pets, or seasonal allergies, it might be allergic contact dermatitis, a delayed skin reaction caused by everyday products you don’t even realize are touching you.

In this episode of My Allergist Dad, Drew sits down with his dad, Dr. Z, to break down what allergic contact dermatitis actually is, how it’s different from hives or classic allergies, and why antihistamines often don’t help. They share real patient stories involving shampoo, soap, shaving cream, lip balm, jeans buttons, hairdressers, hand sanitizer, and even “all-natural” products that turned out to be the real culprits.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between allergic reactions, irritant reactions, and contact dermatitis

• Why rashes can show up days after exposure

• What patch testing is and how it works

• Common ingredients in products like fragrancesfragrances, preservatives, metals, and dyes that cause reactions

• Why “natural” doesn’t always mean safe for your skin

If you’ve been itchy, miserable, or bouncing between doctors without answers, this episode might finally explain what your skin has been trying to tell you.

Have an allergy related question? Ask Dr. Z at myallergistdad@gmail.com