Dr. Patel's Allergy Busters

08/20/2026

Sharing a CME opportunity I’m excited to be part of this fall:

The Advanced Clinical Pharmacology Conference (Sept 24–25, 2026) is focused on real-world, case-based prescribing for complex patients.

• 23 sessions across high-yield topics

• Up to 40.25 CE hours (27 pharmacology)

• Live or on-demand

I’ll be teaching the food allergy session—covering epinephrine, biologics, and OIT with a practical, clinic-focused approach.

Learn more / register:

https://my.pesi.partners/82K7725/33P6ZCT/

Code: PHARMA100 ($199.99)

07/19/2026

🍦 National Ice Cream Day is here!

As an , I love this holiday—but it’s also a good reminder that some of the most common allergens can hide in your favorite scoop.

👉 Ice cream may contain:

• Milk (most common)

• Eggs (especially custard-style bases)

• Peanuts & tree nuts (plus cross-contact risk at scoop shops)

Even small amounts can trigger reactions, and cross-contact is common in ice cream shops where shared scoops and surfaces are used.

Quick tips:

• Always check labels (they’re required to list major allergens like milk, egg, peanuts, and tree nuts)

• Ask about cross-contact if ordering out

• “May contain” still matters

Also… no, ice cream is not a health food despite what you may have seen online.😉

That said—life is about balance 🙂

What’s your favorite flavor? 🍨
I'll buy you a scoop if you can guess my favorit flavor!?!


Take a look at his great/cute video, from and a shout out to a loca favorite
https://www.tiktok.com//video/7394891450250726702?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

07/15/2026

As a mother of somone with , as well as an , I can attest to how importnat this is. My daughter gets itchy everytime we go to hotels. we carry our own sheets, soap, and lotion for her. Her grandmother ALWAYS makes sure they have her lotion, laundry dtergent, etc, everytime we visist! It truly means a lot! 😍

07/08/2026

🍫 World Chocolate Day (okay… slightly late, but still worth it)

From an allergist’s perspective—chocolate isn’t always as simple as it looks 👀

Hidden risks:

• Milk (yes—even some dark chocolate)

• Peanuts/tree nuts

• Soy (often as lecithin)

• Cross-contact during manufacturing

Chocolate is actually a common source of accidental allergic reactions because of shared equipment and unclear labeling.

🍫 Quick myth-buster:

You may have seen posts about the “health benefits” of chocolate—these are usually based on cocoa flavanols, which are studied in controlled amounts that don’t reflect most commercial chocolate.

Real-world chocolate? Often comes with added sugar, fat, and much lower flavanol content.

✅ The nuance:

Dark chocolate (higher cocoa %) does contain more flavanols and has been associated with modest improvements in things like blood pressure and insulin sensitivity in some studies—but the effects are small and not a reason to treat it like a health food. [1] [2]

Bottom line: enjoy it, but don’t overinterpret the headlines.

Milk or dark? Or are you team “chocolate with everything in it”? 👇

07/08/2026

You can also follow on Instagram to see more.

07/08/2026

Proud to be a . California becomes the first state to require restaurants (with 20 or more locations) to list the top 9 food allergens on menu items. Addie Lao, who the law is named for, and her family are thrilled. But the work doesn't stop in Cali. The nonprofit AAFA is supporting restaurant allergen labeling bills in 7 more states this year. Read all the latest here: https://www.allergicliving.com/.../adde-allergens-on.../ .tells.all

The groundbreaking ADDE Act takes effect Wed. July 1. California becomes the first state to require restaurants (with 20 or more locations) to list the top 9 food allergens on menu items. Addie Lao, who the law is named for, and her family are thrilled. But the work doesn't stop in Cali. The nonprofit AAFA is supporting restaurant allergen labeling bills in 7 more states this year. Read all the latest here: https://www.allergicliving.com/2026/06/29/adde-allergens-on-menu-act-takes-effect-inspiring-more-states/

Plus, learn how you can help make allergen labeling in restaurants the norm across the U.S.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) .tells.all Senator Caroline Menjivar Kids With Food Allergies Foundation

06/09/2026

Let’s talk about mold and health — what’s real, what’s testable, and what’s not.

Mold is everywhere. It exists indoors and outdoors, in every climate. So finding mold in a home does not automatically mean it’s the cause of someone’s chronic symptoms.

As a board-certified allergist, here’s what’s medically validated:

✅ What we can test for:

We can test for IgE-mediated mold allergy through skin or blood testing. This tells us whether the immune system is sensitized to certain mold species like Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, or Penicillium.

In the right clinical setting, mold allergy can contribute to:

- Allergic rhinitis
- Asthma symptoms
- Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (rare)
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (specific exposure pattern)

A positive allergy test means sensitization — it does not automatically prove mold is the cause of all symptoms.

❌ What we cannot reliably test for:

- There is no validated medical test that proves “mold toxicity” in the body.
- Urine mycotoxin testing is not standardized or clinically validated.
- We cannot determine exactly what mold exposure occurred in someone’s home based on bloodwork.
- Air testing in homes is difficult to interpret because mold spores fluctuate and are ubiquitous.

Association does not equal causation.

That said — patients with chronic symptoms deserve to be heard. Women in particular have historically had their symptoms dismissed. It is possible to validate someone’s experience without endorsing unproven testing or diagnoses.

What is evidence-based?

- Damp indoor environments are associated with worse asthma control.
- Visible mold and water damage should be remediated.
- If someone has asthma and is mold-sensitized, reducing moisture exposure can help.

The goal isn’t to minimize symptoms.

The goal is to anchor care in solid science while supporting patients compassionately.

02/04/2026

Sensitive skin isn’t “weak” skin — it’s skin that needs the right support.

For patients with eczema or contact dermatitis, I often recommend products from vetted dermatology labs that are formulated to minimize irritation and avoid common allergens and contact triggers.

What I look for in sensitive‑skin products:

Fragrance‑free (no masking fragrances)
Free of common contact allergens (formaldehyde releasers, MI/MCI, lanolin, dyes)
Minimal ingredient lists
Tested for sensitive or eczema‑prone skin
These types of formulations can help restore the skin barrier, reduce flares, and support long‑term control alongside your treatment plan.

💡 Tip: “Natural” doesn’t always mean safer — formulation matters more than marketing.

Hypoallergenic luxury skincare designed by dermatologists for the ultimate clean beauty experience. Backed by science, with only the most efficacious ingredients- safe for the most sensitive but indulgent for everyone. Ethically sourced ingredients and sustainable glass packaging.

01/05/2026

The new year is here! As you set your goals, consider including a few resolutions that will help you better manage asthma. Small changes can make a big difference in staying healthy, preventing flare-ups, and enjoying a more active year.

Here are a few practical steps to consider:

Review your treatment plan
Keep the indoor air clean
Prepare for seasonal allergies
Track symptoms and medication use
Allergy & Asthma Network

Check out Allergy & Asthma Network’s video.

12/06/2025

Please Join My Study Group on: Exploring Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
Open to any licensed healthcare provider, MD, PA, NP etc. I’m gathering a small group of colleagues for an online, discussion-based learning experience titled Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria in the Dermatology and Allergy Practice: From Guidelines to New Frontiers. This activity is free, accredited for 7.25 AMA CME/CE credits, non-branded, and designed to be both brief and flexible. Participants complete short modules and patient cases independently, and then our cohort meets via Zoom for a series of live conversations—first a 45-minute kickoff session to review the CSU module, followed by three 20-minute sessions after the major Allergy/Immunology and Dermatology conferences to exchange highlights and clinical insights. I would love for you to join us. You can learn more and sign up here
https://aaaai.gathered.com/invite/y1aKrvGeQG

Best,
Sonal Patel Medical Director of Asthma and Allergies

Join me in an online, private, small-group educational experience where you will learn how to recognize, treat, and appropriately refer patients with CSU. This collaborative, social learning experience offers FREE CME/CE credits!