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The Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast
Bringing all things health and wellness to Tampa Bay, FL from your very own family and obesity medicine physician, Dr. Kerry Reller, MD, MS. We will discuss general medical topics, weight management, and local spots and events focusing on health, wellness, and nutrition in an interview and solo-cast format. Published weekly.
The Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast
E135: Talking Food Allergies w/ Dr. Reller, Lily, Xavi & Hobie — Fun Facts & Safety Tips
Welcome to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast with Dr. Kerry Reller! This week, I’m joined by my three special co-hosts—Lily, Xavi, and Hobie—to explore food allergies in a fun, family-friendly way. We discuss what food allergies are, how they differ from intolerances, and why eczema is the #1 risk factor for kids. You’ll learn about the top nine allergens, how early food introduction can help prevent allergies, and the latest guidance on epinephrine use that may change how quickly you respond in an emergency. We also share practical tips for reading labels, dining out, traveling, and keeping kids safe at school and parties. Tune in for an educational—and entertaining—episode on food allergy prevention and safety.
00:28 Introduction & Meet the Co-Hosts
02:05 What Is a Food Allergy?
04:20 Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance
06:02 The Top 9 Food Allergens
09:15 Why Eczema Is the #1 Risk Factor
11:50 Early Food Introduction Myths and Facts
14:32 Can Kids Outgrow Food Allergies?
17:15 How We Test for Allergies (Oral Food Challenge)
20:08 Reading Labels and “May Contain” Warnings
23:10 Signs of a Reaction & When to Use Epinephrine
27:40 Updated Epinephrine Guidelines & School Advocacy
31:20 Final Tips from the Kids & Wrap-Up
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Kerry:
Hi everybody. Welcome back to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay podcast. I'm Dr. Kerry Reller, family medicine physician, allergy enthusiast, and mom of three. Today, I’ve got three very special co-hosts joining me to talk about something that affects millions of kids and families—food allergies.
Lily: Hi, I’m Lily.
Xavi: Hi, I’m Xavi.
Hobie: Hi, I’m Hobie.
What Is a Food Allergy?
Kerry:
A food allergy happens when your immune system mistakenly thinks a certain food—like peanuts or milk—is dangerous, and overreacts. That reaction can be mild, severe, or even life-threatening.
What do you think happens if someone eats a food they’re allergic to?
Lily: Their body reacts in different ways.
Xavi: They might get explosive diarrhea.
Hobie: They could die.
Kerry:
Those are… interesting answers! Some are true. But remember, not all food issues are allergies.
Allergy vs. Intolerance
Kerry:
Sometimes people have a food intolerance—like lactose intolerance—where your body has trouble digesting something. That’s a digestive system issue, not the immune system. Allergies involve the immune system and can be life-threatening. Intolerances can be uncomfortable, but they’re not dangerous.
Example: bloating after cheese? Likely an intolerance. Trouble breathing after peanuts? That’s a medical emergency.
Common Food Allergens
Kerry:
Can you name some foods people are commonly allergic to?
Lily: Nuts.
Xavi: Peanuts.
Hobie: (Pauses) I forgot.
Kerry:
Peanuts are actually legumes, like beans. Tree nuts include pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts, and Brazil nuts.
Here are the top nine allergens:
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Milk
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Soy
- Fish
- Shellfish (lobster, crab, shrimp)
- Sesame (added in 2023)
About 8% of kids in the U.S. have a food allergy—1 in 13—and nearly half have severe reactions.
Why Do Food Allergies Happen?
Kerry:
Why do you think food allergies happen?
Lily: Maybe from eating something that doesn’t agree with you.
Xavi: Because they eat too much food.
Hobie: I don’t know.
Kerry:
One of the biggest risk factors is eczema—a skin condition that damages the skin barrier, making it easier for allergens to get in through the skin and trigger the immune system. That’s why we say:
“Through the skin, allergies begin; through the diet, they stay quiet.”
Early introduction of foods like peanuts, eggs, and milk—by mouth—can actually help prevent allergies. The old rule of introducing foods one at a time is no longer necessary unless there’s a history of reactions. Delaying introduction may actually increase the risk.
Can You Outgrow a Food Allergy?
Kerry:
Can you outgrow a food allergy?
Lily: Maybe.
Xavi: Yes.
Hobie: Maybe.
Kerry:
Correct—sometimes. Kids often outgrow milk, egg, soy, and wheat allergies. One tool we use is the egg or milk ladder, a step-by-step approach to reintroducing baked forms of the allergen, like muffins or pancakes, before moving to less cooked forms like yogurt or scrambled eggs. This must be done under allergist supervision.
How Do We Test for Food Allergies?
Lily: There’s a test when you’re a baby.
Kerry:
We can do blood tests and skin tests, but they’re not perfect. The gold standard is the oral food challenge—eating the food in small, increasing amounts under medical supervision to confirm or rule out the allergy.
Reading Food Labels
Kerry:
Xavi, you like reading food labels.
Xavi: I look at calories, sugar, and protein.
Kerry:
That’s great, but for allergies, we also look for “may contain” or “processed in a facility with” statements. These precautionary allergen labels aren’t regulated and may not reflect actual risk, but if your allergy is severe, it’s safest to avoid them.
Food Allergies at Parties and School
Kerry:
What about birthday parties or school events? Have you seen kids with food allergies?
Lily: My friend is allergic to eggs, so she can’t eat cake.
Xavi: I like ice cream cake instead.
Hobie: My friend last year had like 10 allergies.
Kerry:
Kids with allergies may bring safe treats from home. Teachers, friends, and coaches should know how to use epinephrine.
When dining out or traveling:
- Always carry two epinephrine devices.
- Use allergy translation cards abroad.
- Wipe down surfaces on planes.
- Call restaurants ahead for ingredient info.
Signs of a Reaction
Kerry:
What does an allergic reaction look like?
Lily: Trouble breathing.
Xavi: Sneezing and coughing a lot.
Hobie: Diarrhea.
Kerry:
All possible! Reactions can include hives, swelling, itching, vomiting, stomach cramps, coughing, wheezing, throat tightness, dizziness, or fainting. If two or more symptoms happen—or one severe symptom—use epinephrine immediately.
Epinephrine
Kerry:
Epinephrine options include EpiPen, EpiPen Jr, Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q (with voice instructions), and the new needle-free nasal spray Neffy. A sublingual film is in development.
Updated guidance: If symptoms resolve completely after one dose, you’re with a responsible adult, and have a second dose on hand, you may not need to call 911 right away. This helps reduce hesitation to use epinephrine early.
Should Schools Have Epinephrine?
Kerry:
Do you think schools should have epinephrine like they have Band-Aids or AEDs?
Lily: Yes!
Xavi: Definitely.
Hobie: Yeah, for everyone.
Kerry:
Exactly—but right now, each student must supply their own. Advocacy is needed to change that.
Wrap-Up & Advice
Kerry:
- Eczema is the #1 risk factor.
- Early oral introduction builds tolerance.
- No need for one-at-a-time introduction.
- Oral food challenges are the most accurate test.
- Read labels carefully; PALs aren’t always reliable.
- Families need multiple epinephrine delivery options.
- You don’t always have to call 911 after epinephrine use.
Lily: Get tested to see if your allergy is severe.
Xavi: Always be prepared.
Hobie: Be careful about what you eat.
Kerry:
Thanks for joining us on this fun—and informative—episode! If you need a primary care provider or help managing allergies, call Clearwater Family Medicine and Allergy at 727-446-1097.
