“Have a high clinical suspicion for contact allergens or irritants in anyone presenting with eczematous rash.” —Dr. Rebecca Pratt Creams that sting and rashes that won’t quit —welcome to the complex world of contact dermatitis. Dr. Rebecca Pratt joins Dr. Mariam Hanna to unpack why diagnosing and managing this condition is anything but straightforward. Dr. Pratt is an allergist and clinical immunologist in St. Catharines, Ontario, with a passion for dermatoimmunopathology and practical tools tha...
Jun 24, 2025•28 min
“If you're already wondering if a patient has an underlying inborn error of immunity, then it’s worthwhile to do that testing.” — Dr. Catherine Biggs What if that tough case in your allergy clinic isn’t just unusually severe, but fundamentally different? On this episode of The Allergist , Dr. Mariam Hanna speaks with pediatric immunologist Dr. Catherine Biggs about primary atopic disorders, rare inborn errors of immunity that masquerade as everyday allergy but demand a very different approach. D...
Jun 10, 2025•25 min
“It doesn’t have to start with a huge trial. It starts with a patient and it starts with a problem.” —Dr. Gord Sussman How do we move from the exam room to the frontlines of discovery? On this episode of The Allergist , Dr. Mariam Hanna talks with Dr. Gord Sussman about how curiosity—not a research grant—launched his decades-long contribution to allergy science. From identifying the early signs of latex allergy to shaping the treatment landscape for urticaria and hereditary angioedema, Dr. Sussm...
May 27, 2025•21 min
“We have to keep in mind that urticaria has to be treated until it's completely gone. So, absolute control of the disease.” — Dr. Herminio Lima Chronic spontaneous urticaria has long been managed with the goal of complete symptom control. But for many patients, that goal remains elusive. In this episode of The Allergist , Dr. Mariam Hanna talks with dermatologist and clinical immunologist Dr. Herminio Lima about the updated urticaria guidelines—and how new treatment options are giving clinicians...
May 13, 2025•27 min
"The emergence of biologics has really significantly transformed the management of these patients for me." — Dr. Yvonne Chan When it comes to nasal polyps, the landscape is shifting fast. On this episode of The Allergist , Dr. Mariam Hanna is joined by otolaryngologist Dr. Yvonne Chan to talk about how biologics, surgery, and multidisciplinary care are working together to reshape care for this stubborn condition. From recognizing key symptoms to navigating the latest therapeutic options, Dr. Cha...
Apr 29, 2025•28 min
"We are all learning and we are all teaching." – Dr. Lori Connors What makes a great medical educator—and how do you actually become one? On this episode, Dr. Mariam Hanna is joined by Dr. Lori Connors, an allergist, seasoned teacher, and newly appointed Associate Dean of Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education at Dalhousie University. They explore the journey to becoming a great medical educator, how competency by design is reshaping training, and how to support the next gener...
Apr 15, 2025•28 min
“We need time to fix our time problem. And we can get stuck in this loop where we’re like, ‘I have no time to find time to make time to fix time.’” – Dr. Scott Cameron Is your schedule running you—or are you running your schedule? On this episode of The Allergist , Dr. Mariam Hanna is joined by pediatric allergist and clinical immunologist Dr. Scott Cameron to talk about the chaos of clinical practice and how to take back control. With tips that go far beyond time management, Dr. Cameron shares ...
Apr 01, 2025•28 min
"The key to the diagnosis of these disorders is the suspicion of these disorders." — Dr. Luis Murguia Favela Immune dysregulation isn’t just about infections—autoimmunity, inflammation, and even malignancy can be clues that something deeper is at play. With over 500 known inborn errors of immunity, allergists are increasingly on the front lines of identifying these conditions. But when should we suspect immune dysregulation, and what does cutting-edge treatment look like today? Dr. Mariam Hanna ...
Mar 18, 2025•28 min
“Most penicillin allergy labels are not indicative of any meaningful penicillin allergic reaction, and the vast majority can be de-labelled with direct oral challenges of amoxicillin." — Dr. Kimberly Blumenthal Penicillin allergy is one of the most commonly reported drug allergies—but here’s the twist: most people who carry this label aren’t actually allergic. So how did we get here, and what can be done to fix it? On this episode, Dr. Mariam Hanna sits down with Dr. Kimberly Blumenthal, an alle...
Mar 04, 2025•27 min
"We use thresholds every day without even thinking about it. When we do a food challenge in our office, whether we know it or not, we're relying on the fact that there is a threshold for every patient. Some are going to be on the first dose, some are going to be at the last. And that's just part of what a threshold is." – Dr. Doug Mack Food allergies aren’t one-size-fits-all, but we don’t talk enough about thresholds—the amount of an allergen it actually takes to trigger a reaction. Should every...
Feb 18, 2025•28 min
"Although omalizumab is not a cure, it's a major step forward for patients as the first monoclonal antibody or biologic therapy to become FDA-approved to treat food allergy." — Dr. Brian Vickery Is omalizumab set to change the food allergy landscape? And how should clinicians use it in practice? On this episode of The Allergist , Dr. Mariam Hanna sits down with Dr. Brian Vickery, professor of pediatrics and chief of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Emory University, to break down what a...
Feb 04, 2025•25 min
"I think that asthma’s at a great time right now for some really cool interventions moving ahead that can maybe make big differences in our patients’ lives." —Dr. William Anderson On this episode of The Allergist , Dr. Mariam Hanna is joined by Dr. William Anderson to explore one of the most pressing and evolving questions in asthma care: remission. Together, they unpack the concept of asthma remission, what it truly means for patients and physicians, and how modern therapies are shaping its fut...
Jan 21, 2025•27 min
“I do think it's important that we understand that not all the foods are the same, and I think anyone who's seen patients in clinics understands this.” – Dr. Edwin Kim Could sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) be the peanut allergy solution allergists have been waiting for? In this episode, Dr. Mariam Hanna welcomes Dr. Edwin Kim, Division Chief of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at the University of North Carolina, to dive into the science, practicality, and potential of SLIT. With a reputation fo...
Jan 07, 2025•27 min
This is an encore presentation of our most downloaded episode of 2024. “Early introduction is the time-proven and research-proven prevention target for every child and every food.” -- Prof. Jonathan Hourihane Venture into the evolving landscape of food allergy management as Dr. Mariam Hanna welcomes Professor Jonathan Hourihane, a leading figure in pediatric allergy and immunotherapy from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Together, they explore the latest strategies in dietary advancemen...
Dec 24, 2024•27 min
“If that medicine is associated with fear of an injection, then we are giving the impression that a diagnosis of food allergy is worse than a life sentence.” — Dr. Paul Turner When it comes to managing anaphylaxis, epinephrine is the gold standard. But even with its life-saving potential, misconceptions abound, and newer delivery methods like nasal and sublingual formulations are raising questions for allergists and patients alike. In this episode, Dr. Mariam Hanna sits down with Dr. Paul Turner...
Dec 10, 2024•28 min
"Plastic has been found everywhere—lungs, breast milk, liver, spleen, placenta, even blood." – Dr. Magdalena Zemelka-Wiecek Every week, we’re ingesting the equivalent of a credit card’s worth of plastic—through food, water, and even the air we breathe. In this episode, Dr. Mariam Hanna speaks with Dr. Magdalena Zemelka-Wiecek, associate professor of clinical immunology at Wroclaw Medical University, about the pervasive presence of plastics in our environment and their potential role in influenci...
Nov 26, 2024•23 min
“I do not think families typically should be getting rid of pets if they're having symptoms. There are very, very well tolerated medications that we can use. We can use desensitization therapy with immunotherapy, and I think that's the discussion that should revolve around how to manage these.” — Dr. Shahzad Mustafa For many, pets are like family, which makes pet allergies a particularly sensitive issue. On this episode, Dr. Mariam Hanna invites Dr. Shahzad Mustafa, Chief of Allergy, Immunology,...
Nov 12, 2024•28 min
“A lot of people are either being diagnosed or self-diagnosing (with MCAS), I would say somewhat inappropriately, without any actual evidence of mast cell activation. We're seeing it more and more commonly.” -- Dr. Tim Olynych On this episode of The Allergist , Dr. Mariam Hanna teams up with Dr. Timothy Olynych, a clinical immunologist and allergist and PhD in mast cells, to unravel the mystery of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). This elusive condition requires some serious detective work, ...
Oct 29, 2024•26 min
“Introduce those allergens early, diversify that microbiome, and don't let fear rule you.” -- Dr. Priya Bansal On this episode of The Allergist , Dr. Mariam Hanna teams up with Dr. Priya Bansal, a triple board-certified allergist, to tackle the challenges of managing food allergies and the anxiety that often comes with them. Together, they walk through real-world cases that allergists frequently encounter, offering practical strategies to support patients and families. On this episode: Introduci...
Oct 15, 2024•27 min
“A desensitization is really the assumption that they're allergic. It's not a test, it's not a test dose, it's not a graded challenge. A desensitization is the assumption or the confirmation that they are truly allergic to this drug.” -- Dr. Christine Song Managing drug allergies can be a delicate balancing act, especially when life-saving medications are involved. On this episode of The Allergist , Dr. Mariam Hanna is joined by Dr. Christine Song, an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Universi...
Oct 01, 2024•27 min
“Don't give a bad antihistamine masking as a sedative. If a person truly needs help with their sleep, then give them a proper sedative.” -- Dr. Marcus Maurer As allergy seasons ebb and flow, there’s one drug that maintains its place in household medicine cabinets: Benadryl. On this episode, Dr. Mariam Hanna sits down with Dr. Stuart Carr, Chief Medical Officer at Snö Asthma and Allergy in Abu Dhabi and past president of the CSACI, to tackle the lingering myths and outdated uses of first-generati...
Sep 17, 2024•28 min
"History, history, skin test or serum IgE, and then consider doing the other test just to round out your testing until you're sure you've detected everything you need to detect.” -- Dr. David Golden As the leaves begin to fall, and the wasps begin to invade every patio lunch, Dr. Mariam Hanna sits down with Dr. David Golden, a leading expert on venom allergies and retired associate professor from Johns Hopkins. Together, they explore the swarm of complexities surrounding venom immunotherapy, fro...
Sep 03, 2024•30 min
“FPIES is real, both acute and chronic FPIES. It's not a myth, and it can be an allergic emergency.” -- Dr. Nowak-Wegrzyn Join Dr. Mariam Hanna for a comprehensive discussion on Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES) with Dr. Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn, a leading expert in pediatric allergy and immunology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Nowak-Wegrzyn sheds light on this unique and often perplexing condition, offering critical insights for healthcare providers. On this episode: Under...
Aug 20, 2024•28 min
“I feel like the term "immunity debt" has become fashionable but has lost all its meaning for me." -- Dr. Samira Jeimy Join Dr. Mariam Hanna for a deep dive into secondary immunodeficiencies with Dr. Samira Jeimy, an assistant professor in the Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy at Western University. Dr. Jeimy shares her extensive knowledge on acquired immunodeficiency, providing valuable insights for healthcare providers. On this episode: Understanding Acquired Immunodeficiency: Dr. Je...
Aug 06, 2024•22 min
“HAE is a different disease than it was because of the advancement of treatments…make sure that you're offering the best form of therapy available to patients and their families.” -- Dr. Stephen Betschel Join Dr. Mariam Hanna in an enlightening conversation with Dr. Stephen Betschel, an associate professor in the Department of Medicine and Clinical Immunologist and Allergist at St. Michael's Hospital, University Health Network. Dr. Betschel, a global authority on hereditary angioedema (HAE), sha...
Jul 23, 2024•27 min
“It's important to recognize that fresh fruits and vegetables can cause local reactions in the mouth and gut. But if they're not causing symptoms of a more severe allergic reaction, don't panic. Chances are good that this is not something that's going to lead to more worrisome features.” -- Dr. Anne Ellis Dr. Mariam Hanna sits down with Dr. Anne Ellis, professor of medicine and chair of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Queen's University, to explore the intricacies of Pollen Food Allerg...
Jul 09, 2024•22 min
“I'm still getting told from families and other physicians that you can't make a diagnosis of asthma until they're six. Why? Why is this still happening? We can diagnose preschoolers with asthma.” -- Dr. Tiffany Wong Join Dr. Mariam Hanna as she sits down with Dr. Tiffany Wong who pushes back on the persistent and unfounded skepticism about whether preschoolers can be diagnosed with asthma. Dr. Wong is an associate clinical professor at the University of British Columbia and the medical lead of ...
Jun 25, 2024•25 min
“When you fly, the flight attendant is always telling you, put on your oxygen mask first before you help somebody else. And it's so true. We’re way more efficient in a clinic setting when we have taken care of ourselves.” -- Dr. Maureen Petersen Dr. Mariam Hanna sits down with Dr. Maureen Petersen, a pediatric allergist and immunologist from North Carolina Chapel Hill to explore the challenges of managing chronic illness from the perspective of both the physician and the parent. Dr. Petersen bri...
Jun 11, 2024•30 min
“I felt I was actually controlling my condition. It wasn't controlling me.” -- Patient of Dr. Philippe Begin Join Dr. Mariam Hanna as she sits down with Dr. Philippe Begin, a renowned expert in allergy and immunology from the University of Montreal. They dive into the complexities of adult food allergies, distinguishing them from childhood allergies and discussing both clinical insights and patient experiences. On this episode: Understanding Adult Food Allergies: Dr. Begin explains the unique ch...
May 28, 2024•27 min
"Usually when patients have really strong feelings, what they're really trying to tell you is what their priorities are and what they are most afraid of" -- Dr. Michael Cyr Join Dr. Mariam Hanna as she welcomes Dr. Michael Cyr, a leader in allergy and clinical immunology, to explore the vital role of shared decision-making in the modern practice. On this episode: Understanding Shared Decision-Making: Dr. Cyr breaks down the concept of shared decision-making, emphasizing its importance in integra...
May 14, 2024•23 min
