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Modena Health provides drug allergy testing and desensitization therapy to identify allergies and expand your medical treatment options safely.
Drug allergies can range from mild symptoms like itching or hives to severe, life-threatening reactions such as anaphylaxis or serious skin conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and they should always be taken seriously. However, many people may be carrying a misdiagnosis. In fact, up to 90% of individuals labeled as allergic to penicillin are not truly allergic.
Being inaccurately diagnosed with a drug allergy, especially to penicillin, can lead to the use of second-line antibiotics that are often less effective, more expensive, and more likely to cause side effects. If you’ve been told you have a drug allergy, it’s important to understand your true risk and explore your options. The drug allergy specialists at Modena Health in Solana Beach offer advanced diagnostic testing and personalized care to help clarify your diagnosis and guide the safest treatment decisions.
Even individuals who have experienced anaphylaxis from a medication may still be able to take that same drug safely through a process called drug desensitization. Performed under the close supervision of a trained allergist, this specialized therapy introduces the medication in gradually increasing doses at set time intervals, allowing the body to build a temporary tolerance.
Drug desensitization is only performed in highly controlled medical settings and should never be attempted without professional guidance. Because the tolerance is temporary, the process must be repeated each time the medication is paused for more than 24 hours. This approach is often used when no alternative treatments are available, and when done properly, it is both safe and highly effective.
It may come as a surprise, but studies show that up to 90% of people labeled as allergic to penicillin are not truly allergic. This misdiagnosis often leads to the use of second-line antibiotics, which tend to be more expensive, less effective, and more likely to cause side effects. Fortunately, penicillin skin testing offers a safe, fast, and accurate way to determine whether you actually have a true allergy.
Dr. Brian Modena and his team have spent over a decade helping patients in SoCal and beyond uncover the truth about their drug allergies. At Modena Health, we offer advanced testing and practical solutions, so you can receive the most effective treatments without unnecessary restrictions.
If you have been told that you’re allergic to penicillin, you are probably an excellent candidate for drug allergy testing. If your reaction occurred more than a decade ago, if you were too young to recall the details, or if your allergy is based solely on what you’ve been told by family members, it’s worth re-evaluating your diagnosis with proper testing.
You may also benefit from testing if you experienced a reaction after receiving multiple medications and the exact cause was unclear. Penicillin skin testing is especially valuable when suspected drug allergies are limiting your treatment choices, helping ensure you receive the most effective and appropriate care.
Adverse reactions to medications can and do occur, and in some cases, they can be quite serious. Often, stopping the offending drug is enough to bring relief, with symptoms resolving within days or weeks. However, more severe drug-related rashes or immune responses can linger for months, or even years, requiring further evaluation and treatment.
Modena Health provides expert consultations at all major Scripps Hospitals in San Diego, including Scripps Memorial La Jolla, Scripps Memorial Encinitas, and Scripps Mercy in Hillcrest. Because of this hospital presence, we frequently care for patients who have experienced drug reactions or rashes during their inpatient stay. Treatment options may include topical or oral corticosteroids, and in more severe cases, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy.
At Modena Health, we provide safe and efficient drug allergy testing for patients in Solana Beach. The process is simple and performed entirely in-office. It begins with a skin scratch test, where a small amount of the suspected medication is introduced using a plastic applicator or lancet. If no reaction occurs, a second step involves injecting a small dose just under the skin to further assess for sensitivity. Should both tests show no allergic response, our team may offer a supervised oral challenge, administering the medication while closely monitoring you for any signs of reaction.
Drug allergy reactions can be unpredictable. Some may resolve within weeks, while others linger or worsen if not properly managed. At Modena Health, we’re committed to guiding you through the entire process with the same care we’d offer our own family. Our team stays accessible by phone or email to address concerns promptly, especially if symptoms begin to escalate. From initial consultation to full recovery, you’ll receive expert, attentive support every step of the way.
Severe drug allergies and medication reactions can feel overwhelming, but with the right care, they are manageable. At Modena Health in Solana Beach, Dr. Brian Modena and his experienced team are dedicated to identifying the safest, most effective treatment options for each patient. Let us help you find clarity and peace of mind. Schedule your consultation today.
Drug reactions generally fall into two main categories: those triggered by the immune system and those that occur independently of it, known as idiosyncratic reactions. Idiosyncratic responses may include both expected and unexpected side effects or heightened sensitivities to certain medications. In contrast, immune-mediated drug allergies involve the body’s defense system and can range from rapid-onset reactions like anaphylaxis to delayed skin eruptions that may appear after two or more weeks of use. While these immune-driven reactions can be just as dangerous, the precise biological mechanisms behind both types of responses are still not fully understood.
