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!
Did She Cure Her Shellfish Allergy?? Exercise, Histamine & Bad Shrimp! ft. Lauren Bans
On this episode of My Allergist Dad, Drew and Rhode Island allergist Dr. Z welcome comedy writer Lauren Bans to discuss a severe reaction she had in college after eating shrimp with lobster sauce and then going straight to the gym, where she developed itchy eyes, breathing trouble, and red blotches and was treated at urgent care.
Lauren avoided shellfish for a year or two, later had mild symptoms at a Providence clambake, then gradually resumed eating shellfish and now can eat shrimp or lobster without issues. Dr. Z explains this pattern may not be true desensitization and could reflect a non-IgE “allergic-like” histamine reaction influenced by factors like preservatives/MSG, food sitting out, alcohol, exercise, hormones, and overall tolerance, and he emphasizes testing and that epinephrine is first-line treatment for severe reactions.
00:00 Comedy and Shrimp Setup
01:04 Meet Drew and Dr Z
01:17 Introducing Lauren Bans
02:17 Al Forno Family Lore
05:07 The PF Changs Reaction
07:19 Clambake Self Testing
08:10 Dad Breaks Down Desensitization
11:09 Histamine and Pseudo Allergies
15:08 Exercise Alcohol and Hormones
18:12 PF vs PJ Changs Jokes
19:21 Is Allergy Always Constant
19:33 Tests vs History
20:15 Drug Allergy Logic
20:58 Tolerance and Tipping Points
24:20 Reaction Risk and EpiPens
26:39 Family Allergies and Microbiome
31:44 Testing Anxiety and Mindset
33:19 Alpha Gal and IBS Clues
36:09 Eating Out Safely
37:51 Wrap Up and Epinephrine
40:11 Medical Disclaimer
12 Oct 2026
Nose Breathing, Mouth Taping & Better Asthma Symptoms (reviewing Breath by James Nestor)
This week on My Allergist Dad, Drew and Dr. Z discuss key takeaways from James Nestor’s book Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, prompted by listener Richard Kowal’s question about nose breathing, asthma/allergies, and mouth taping during sleep. Dr. Z explains that many patients who feel they “can’t take a full breath” may be dealing with nasal congestion and upper-airway issues rather than lung problems, and why nasal breathing—humidifying and filtering air via the turbinates—can improve comfort and help asthma symptoms.
They talk about how chronic mouth breathing can affect teeth and facial structure, why severe nasal blockage can feel suffocating, and Dr. Z’s own experience trying mouth taping at night (including practical downsides). They also touch on breathing techniques, sleep quality, anxiety around shortness of breath, and how better breathing can improve overall function.
00:00 Breath Power Teaser
00:37 Show Intro and Hosts
00:52 Listener Question Setup
01:43 Book Overview and Nose Focus
03:14 Mouth Taping Experiment
07:28 Nasal Congestion vs Asthma
10:53 How the Nose Works
12:50 Breathwork and Whole Body Health
15:20 Athletes Musicians and Breath
19:02 Breathing Anxiety and Patient Stories
20:33 Wrap Up and Book Recommendation
21:14 Final Thoughts and Disclaimer
5 Oct 2026
Fall Allergy Gameplan: Preparing for Ragweed, Mold Spores, Dust Mites & Leaf Piles (with Dr. Z)
Drew and his dad, allergist Dr. Z, discuss what really drives fall allergy symptoms and how to prepare. Dr. Z explains that while fall weeds like ragweed, mugwort, and pigweed typically run from mid-August to the first frost, warmer weather can extend symptoms, and many people who think they’re reacting to pollen are actually reacting to outdoor mold spores—especially on dry, windy days after rain, in leaf piles, hayrides, and around pumpkins.
He also highlights how high humidity increases dust mites and indoor mold, especially when people stop running AC, and notes that mold can feed dust mites. Tips include identifying triggers with testing, pre-treating with non-sedating antihistamines before exposure, wearing a mask for raking/cleaning, reducing indoor humidity below 50% with dehumidifiers, having floors rather than carpet, and considering desensitization drops.
00:00 Leaf Pile Mold Warning
00:27 Fall Allergies Kickoff
01:43 Why Fall Feels Worse
02:33 Ragweed Season Explained
04:11 Outdoor Mold Spores
06:52 Humidity And Dust Mites
08:44 Leaves Pets And Indoors
09:42 Prevention And Treatment Tips
11:36 Home Controls And Cleaning
14:35 Moldy Food Reactions
15:49 Petrichor Vs Mold Smell
18:00 Ticks And Seasonal Wrapup
20:31 Final Takeaways And Signoff
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
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