La Jolla:
(858) 252-3721
Torrance:
(310) 833-1334
San Diego allergy clinic model on the beach San Diego allergy clinic models playing San Diego allergy clinic model running San Diego allergy clinic model on beach San Diego allergy clinic model with tan hat San Diego allergy clinic model with tan dog San Diego allergy clinic model with brown hair San Diego allergy clinic model with brown hair

A Breath of Fresh Air

Allergy and Asthma Care in San Diego

View Testing and Proceduresright arrow

AAAA I logo san diego county medical society logo American Thoracic society logo american college of allergy, esthma & immunology logo Western Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology logo
AAAA I logo san diego county medical society logo American Thoracic society logo american college of allergy, esthma & immunology logo Western Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology logo AAAA I logo san diego county medical society logo American Thoracic society logo american college of allergy, esthma & immunology logo Western Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology logo

Achieve Your Personal Best

Modena Allergy + Asthma

Don't let asthma or allergies hold you back from achieving your goals and living the life you want. Receive personalized attention, answers, and relief from your symptoms with Dr. Brian Modena and the team at Modena Allergy + Asthma.

As one of the field's most experienced, active, and impactful allergists, Dr. Modena's knowledge of leading-edge medical advances provides every patient with the safest, most innovative, and effective therapy options available today. With our team by your side, there is no better time to enhance your wellness and achieve your personal best!

At Modena Allergy + Asthma, Dr. Brian Modena treats patients of all ages with empathy and cutting-edge therapies to help them and their families breathe a little easier. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Modena today to learn how treating food allergies, environmental allergies, asthma, and immunological conditions could help make your family life less stressful and live a better quality of life.

A Different Approach

Brian Modena M.D., M.Sc., San Diego Allergist

Dr. Brian Modena's passion for helping his patients improve their lives comes from a place of empathy. As a child, Dr. Modena suffered from numerous allergy and asthma issues, including severe asthma attacks and food allergies. These shaped Dr. Modena's early life, and he swore that he would dedicate himself to sparing others from the hardships he faced.

Today, Dr. Modena is a board-certified physician in internal medicine and Allergy & Immunology. He is one of the top researchers and lecturers in the nation in allergies and asthma. He implements an innovative, data-driven approach that has made him one of the leading educators and lecturers on genomics, microbiomics, innovative allergy treatments, and the integration of 21st century technology into patient care.

While Dr. Modena's treatments use cutting-edge tech and the latest research, he never forgets that medicine is about treating the person, not the symptoms. His patient-first approach helps put patients of all ages at ease, and he loves watching them enjoy the new opportunities available to them as a result of their treatments at Modena Allergy + Asthma.

About Dr. Brian Modena right arrow

Dr. Brian Modena

The Food Allergy Center at Modena Allergy + Asthma

The Bite Protection Program (BiPP) adopts a personalized strategy to retrain the immune system, tailored to each patient's needs.

Employing bioequivalent food proteins and evidence-based treatment strategies, we enable patients to develop tolerance to their allergens gradually. Through this secure and effective approach, we consistently achieve remarkable success rates while minimizing adverse reactions.

Even individuals with severe food allergies or conditions such as Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) or asthma are welcome in our program, as we accommodate all cases.

Take the first step toward a life-changing experience by arranging a consultation to discover more about our innovative program.

San Diego allergy clinic model with brown hair
San Diego allergy clinic model smiling
San Diego allergy clinic model smiling
San Diego allergy clinic model with surfboard
San Diego allergy clinic models smiling
San Diego allergy clinic model with blonde hair

Revolutionary Treatments

San Diego's Food Desensitization Specialist

Dr. Brian Modena is one of San Diego's only allergists to offer food desensitization. A food desensitization procedure is the slow, methodical introduction of a food to (possibly) reduce the chance of a severe allergic reaction. E.g. the introduction of small, but increasing doses of peanut in a peanut-allergic person under a controlled and monitored environment to prevent severe anaphylaxis in the event of an accidental exposure. By slowly getting the body to accept small but increasing doses of the allergen over time, food desensitization trains the body over time to react less severely.

The science behind food desensitizationright arrow

Asthma

Asthma Testing and Treatment in San Diego

There is currently no cure for asthma, but there are more effective ways to manage the symptoms than ever before. Dr. Modena's research helped lead the way to some of these new discoveries and he loves seeing the change in his patients' daily lives. If you or someone you love has chest tightness, wheezing, or coughing fits, it might be an undiagnosed case of asthma. Dr. Modena's San Diego asthma testing and treatment plans offer comprehensive care that can make big changes in the day-to-day lives of asthma sufferers.

What to do if you think you might have asthma?right arrow

Beyond Breathing

Inhalant Allergy Desensitization in San Diego

If you suffer from an inhalant allergy, your body's immune system overreacts to an allergen in the air and produces an immune response whenever you come in contact with it. But it turns out that small exposures to that same allergen beneath the skin can actually improve your allergy symptoms. With inhalant allergy desentization, Dr. Modena injects micro doses of the offending allergen under the skin, allowing your body to build up a resistance to it. This reduces the immune system response whenever the allergen is present in the air, typically within two to three months of beginning your treatment.

Learn more about inhalant allergy desensitizationright arrow

Get to the bottom of your allergies

San Diego Skin Testing

You know you're allergic to cats. Or maybe it's dogs, but it's a pet allergy of some kind. Actually, maybe it's a mold allergy? Pattern recognition is an important part of our evolutionary makeup. However, we've also developed far more accurate ways to determine allergies, including skin testing. Also known as a skin prick test or scratch test, this comprehensive exam can rule out more than 40 types of allergens at one time, putting us much closer to finding the cause of your allergy and treating it.

Skin Testingright arrow

Protect Your Skin

Patch Testing in San Diego

Patch testing is a particular kind of test that helps diagnose allergies that result in contact dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin. This can include fragrances, cosmetics, sunscreens, creams, lotions, shampoos, or other substances that provoke an allergic reaction when they come in contact with the skin. Dr. Modena uses patch testing as a diagnostic tool to help isolate the particular allergens that affect your skin the most. You can then better avoid those allergens as you come up with a plan to lessen your symptoms should you come in contact with them in the future. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Modena today to learn about patch testing and the other diagnostic tools available to keep your skin looking and feeling great!

Patch Testingright arrow

Is Your Immune System Healthy?

San Diego Immunology Testing

“Immune-boosting” and “immunity” food and drinks are available on the shelf of just about any food or convenience store. But while immunity has become a health buzzword, there are very real issues that arise from having an actual immune deficiency, and there are over 270 different kinds of immune deficiencies. If you find yourself feeling constantly stressed or fatigued, or feel like you're “always sick,” it might be signs of an undiagnosed immune deficiency. Dr. Modena can help you find answers that could lead to real treatment options with immunology testing at Modena Allergy + Asthma.

Immunology Testingright arrow
left arrowFood Desensitization left arrowAsthma Testing & Treatment left arrowAllergy Desensitization left arrowSkin Testing left arrowPatch Testing left arrowImmunology Testing

When should you see an allergist?

(Hint: If you're asking this question, it's probably time!)

If you or a loved one is suffering from allergies, asthma or immune system issues, you should know that your San Diego allergist can help you avoid years of confusion, misdiagnoses, and wasted money. Before getting rid of a family pet, remodeling your house, or even moving because of an allergy fear or concern, come to an allergist to identify the allergy culprit and come up with a targeted plan of attack. You can often reduce allergies by avoiding the trigger, but if not, you can work with an allergist to learn about all the possible treatment options. Before treating itchy skin rashes for months with steroid creams or even steroid pills, come see an allergist to identify a potential cause of the rash. Also, come find out about all the possible and newer treatment options.

Before spending any money on at-home food sensitivity tests, or before drastically eliminating the foods you love, come see an allergist to better understand how best to interpret these results, and how and when you should make dietary changes. Also, come to an allergist to help re-introduce foods back into your diet after avoiding them.

Read More

Before you or a loved one has a severe, potentially life-threatening reaction, come see an allergist to determine your food allergies more accurately, learn how best to avoid food allergies, and how to treat anaphylaxis food allergies quickly and effectively.

Before you suffer for months from on-going and repeat sinus infections, come see an allergist about new non-surgical treatment options. Before you keep having repeated or severe infections, come see an allergist to determine if you possibly have a problem with your immune system.

For all of these problems and others, you should know that the best time to see an allergist is usually sooner rather than later. Before all that unnecessary cost and suffering… that is the best time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brian Modena. Dr. Modena is one of the nation's leading allergy and asthma specialists, and he's right here in San Diego. Let Dr. Modena help you find actual answers and develop a data-driven plan that leads to real results, without the hassle of trial and error.

What does an allergist do? right arrow

A Natural Choice for Your Family

Inside Modena Allergy + Asthma's San Diego Testing Center

Dealing with an allergy is stressful enough. You want to come to a peaceful place where you can feel comfortable. Modena Allergy + Asthma is that place. Our Testing Center features a large playroom for children, a coffee bar complete with allergy-sensitive options, and a spacious, open, inviting atmosphere. Stop by today to learn how Dr. Modena can help your family live, work, and breathe easier.

Pulmonary diseases, such as childhood-onset asthma, can be an overwhelming experience for both the child and parent alike. As a board-certified Allergy and Immunology physician, Dr. Brian Modena has dedicated his entire career to the care and understanding of asthma, its root causes, and its personalized treatment.

Dr. Modena's deep experience, commitment, and involvement in every patient care plan provides comfort, education, and reassurance to parents. Our aim is to give your family answers, effective treatment options, reassurance, and ultimately confidence and optimism to tackle any breathing problem.

You Can Both Breathe Easier

San Diego Pediatric & Adult Allergy Testing

#FoodChallenge

Modena Allergy + Asthma on Social Media

Dr. Modena is all about educating and demystifying allergy testing, whether that is through his videos explaining how allergists treat their patients, or from watching his patients go through allergy food challenge tests to test the severity of their reactions. See more by following Dr. Modena on your favorite social platform.

Testimonials

Modena Patient testimonials

“Our daughter has been a patient of the Modena practice for the past year or so and we are incredibly grateful that we found such a wonderful group to help us with her food allergies. When she was 9 months old, we found out that she had an egg allergy and that led us to additional testing which uncovered that she had a cashew/pistachio allergy. We were terrified when we heard this news as we never wanted our daughter to experience any type of severe reaction nor did we want her or us to have to live in fear of these allergies for years to come. Dr. Modena and his team spent a great deal of time providing education on her allergies as well as education on a desensitization program that we could employ, if we chose to do so. After much consideration we decided that was the right path for our family.

We are absolutely thrilled with the progress she has made and the results we've achieved under their care. Her blood work numbers have dropped significantly, and we are only a few weeks away from completing her desensitization program for her cashew allergy. We will continue to monitor her allergies with Dr. Modena's team as time goes by, and we are so happy to have someone by our side. We are building up to the point where she will be receiving a monitored dose of a couple of cashews several times a week and that is an absolutely amazing relief. It will be so nice to live with confidence that if she were to have any type of accidental exposure her reaction should be mild or nothing at all. It is an amazing concept to slowly expose your body to what it would see as a danger so you can teach it to not overreact.

Allergies, especially in children, should never be taken lightly and we appreciate the team's conservative and caring approach. What a difference a year has made in our lives with the tools, resources and support we have received.”

—San Diego allergy patient

“Dr. Modena is one of a kind and the best doctor we could've asked for to treat our son's food allergy. I had performed a deep dive into the world of child food allergies after finding out our son had a peanut allergy at 5 months old. We were interested in having our son undergo oral immunotherapy for his allergy because the research seems to be positive and growing for this treatment. It was difficult to find a provider that was willing, but we are so thankful we found Dr. Modena as he was extremely knowledgeable and talked with us about the treatment as an option.

One important thing to know about Dr. Modena is that he is excellent when it comes to shared decision making. When we met him, I explained how I had researched oral immunotherapy and our interest in seeking treatment for our child. He provided his own expertise and invested time and energy to further delve into the research on OIT for young children. We then consulted further and he was willing to do the treatment, laying out options, risks/benefits, and explaining what the OIT treatment would be like. It really feels like a team effort during our consults and he is very forthright with information that we need to know, explaining things thoroughly.

We were thankful that Dr. Modena was willing to work with us to provide the OIT treatment for our son. He is truly an amazing doctor that is detail-oriented, proactive, and and acts with a patient-centered focus. His staff are also kind and courteous. If you are interested in seeking oral immunotherapy treatment or similar options for yourself or your child (beyond the traditional avoidance model), then Dr. Modena and his staff will be able to help!”

—Lauren Mignea

“I went to Dr. Modena after my allergist Dr. Jaffer retired and Dr. Modena took the practice over from him. I was having a breathing problem and found that Dr. Modena is extremely caring and thorough. He listens, does not rush patients, and called me to follow up the following week... Thank you, Dr. Modena!”

— Alyssa S., San Diego allergy patient

“My first allergist! An amazing Dr. He takes the time with you that a lot of doctors won't anymore. As far as results, I'm doing 200% better than I was before I started seeing him.”

— MC, Lakeside allergy patient

“Dr. Modena is extremely patient. I have a very complex condition that has no definitive cause. It impacts my daily life, but Dr. Modena has been wonderful about treating the symptoms. I am sure at times he is as frustrated as I am to find an answer and make it go away, but he is always patient. He said ‘I never give up on a patient.' It's very comforting to know he is always working to make things better for me. His staff is always friendly and efficient. I highly recommend Dr. Modena.”

— Maureen D., San Diego patient

left arrow
right arrow

More Testimonials right arrow

Schedule a consultation today

You don’t have to let allergies, asthma or immune system issues dictate your life. With a specialist like Dr. Brian Modena by your side, you can get back to living your best life.

9850 Genesee Ave Suite 710, La Jolla, CA 92037