La Jolla:
858-260-2977
Torrance:
310-833-1334
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A Breath of Fresh Air

Allergy and Asthma Care in Southern California

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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 the team at Modena Allergy + Asthma. With our team of qualified and compassionate experts by your side, there is no better time to enhance your wellness and feel your personal best.

Our team at Modena Allergy + Asthma 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 one of our providers 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.

At Modena Allergy + Asthma, Dr. Brian Modena and team treat patients of all ages with empathy and cutting-edge therapies to help them and their families breathe a little easier. Schedule a consultation with one of our providers 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.

Meet Our Experts

Your Trusted Providers At Modena Allergy + Asthma

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Dr. Brian Modena, MD, MSc

Dr. Brian Modena is the founder and medical director of Modena Allergy + Asthma. As one of the field's most experienced, active and impactful allergists, his knowledge of cutting-edge medical advancements provides every patient with the safest, most innovative and effective treatments available today.

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Dr. Brian Modena, MD, MSc

Ali Doroudchi, MD

Dr. Ali Doroudchi is a specialist in allergy and immunology, bringing extensive expertise and a deep commitment to patient care. Dr. Doroudchi focuses on treating children and adults with atopic conditions such as food allergy, eczema, allergic rhinitis, and asthma, as well as immunologic disorders.

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Ali Doroudchi, MD

Dr. Raffi Tchekmedyian, MD

A physician with a deep interest in allergy and immunology, Dr. Raffi Tchekmedyian is passionate about helping patients enhance their quality of life through comprehensive treatment. He is committed to providing expert care and support for both pediatric and adult patients.

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Dr. Bugsu Ovunc, MD, PhD

Dr. Bugsu Ovunc, MD, PhD

Dr. Bugsu Ovunc is a board-certified pediatric pulmonologist and pediatrician, renowned for her dual focus on clinical practice and groundbreaking research. She is proficient in managing a wide range of pediatric lung diseases and has a special interest in rare and genetic-based lung diseases, stemming from her extensive training and research in genetics.

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Dr. Bugsu Ovunc, MD, PhD

Dr. Lori Banka, D.O.

Dr. Lori Banka, D.O., is an allergy and immunology specialist who brings a wealth of experience and a compassionate approach to her practice. Born and raised in Orange County, Dr. Banka’s passion for medicine was nurtured from a young age by her parents, both esteemed physicians.

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Dr. Lori Banka, D.O.

Analisa Hunt, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

A dedicated Nurse Practitioner with a robust background in labor and delivery, postpartum and allergy. She is committed to providing her patients with a holistic and evidence-based approach, and is particularly passionate about food allergies and OIT.

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Analisa Hunt, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Elicia Chung, DNP, FNP-BC

With an intense passion for helping all of her patients achieve health and wellness, Dr. Elicia Chung uses her skills as a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Family Nurse Practitioner to help patients with allergy and asthma issues. Her focus is on evidence-based treatment and patient education.

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Elicia Chung, DNP, FNP-BC

Samantha Arnold, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

As a certified Nurse Practitioner with specialty training in allergy and asthma treatment, Samantha Arnold is equally passionate about providing the highest level of care for patients, continuously learning and growing in the evolving field of allergy and asthma, and educating and mentoring the next generation of nurses.

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Samantha Arnold, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

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The Food Allergy Center at Modena Allergy + Asthma

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San Diego allergy clinic model with brown hair

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.

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Revolutionary Treatments

San Diego’s Food Sensitization Specialist

Modena Allergy + Asthma is one of the few allergy practices in Southern California 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.

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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. Our expert team'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. Our expert team'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.

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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, our providers 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.

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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.

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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. Our expert team 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 our providers today to learn about patch testing and the other diagnostic tools available to keep your skin looking and feeling great!

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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. Our providers can help you find answers that could lead to real treatment options with immunology testing at Modena Allergy + Asthma.

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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 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 culprit and come up with a personalized plan of action. You shouldn’t have to spend money on at-home food sensitivity tests or drastically eliminate the foods you love; an allergist can help you better understand how best to interpret these results and how and when you should make dietary changes. Don’t wait for you or a loved one to have a severe, potentially life-threatening reaction, come see an allergist to more accurately determine your food allergies, learn how best to avoid them, and learn how to treat anaphylaxis food allergies quickly and effectively. You don’t have to suffer for months from ongoing and repeat sinus infections, come see an allergist about new non-surgical treatment options. For 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. Let Dr. Modena and team help you find actual answers and develop a data-driven plan that leads to real results without the hassle of trial and error.

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

Before you suffer for months from ongoing 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. Let Dr. Modena and team help you find actual answers and develop a data-driven plan that leads to real results without the hassle of trial and error.

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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 and relaxed. Modena Allergy + Asthma’s offices are designed to meet the needs of families and on-the-go professionals. Our offices feature playrooms for children, coffee bars complete with allergy-sensitive options, and spacious, open, inviting atmospheres. Stop by today to learn how our team can help your family live, work, and breathe easier.

#FoodChallenge

Modena Allergy + Asthma on Social Media

The team at Modena Allergy + Asthma 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 Modena Allergy + Asthma 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

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Schedule a consultation today

You don’t have to let allergies, asthma or immune system issues dictate your life. With the specialists at Modena Allergy + Asthma by your side, you can get back to living your best life.

9850 Genesee Ave Suite 710, La Jolla, CA 92037