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At Modena Health Solana Beach, we provide advanced testing and personalized treatment plans for environmental allergies, helping patients of all ages manage symptoms and breathe more comfortably.
Your eyes won’t stop watering, your nose is running, and you can’t get comfortable no matter how many tissues you use or how warm you make your home. Clearly, something’s not right.
That’s when it’s time to see a Solana Beach environmental allergy specialist for accurate testing and effective treatment options. At Modena Health Solana Beach, Dr. Brian Modena and his team offer both medical therapy and allergy immunotherapy to address the root causes of your symptoms — so you can stop chasing temporary relief and start breathing easier year-round.
Environmental allergy testing identifies substances in your surroundings that trigger allergic reactions. These are non-food allergens such as dust mites, pet dander (cats and dogs), cockroaches, mold, and seasonal pollens.
At Modena Health Solana Beach, testing typically includes skin prick testing and/or blood tests to pinpoint your exact triggers. Once identified, Dr. Brian Modena and his team create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique environment and lifestyle. This may include custom immunotherapy — either sublingual (under-the-tongue) drops or injections — designed to help you build tolerance, reduce symptoms, and breathe more comfortably in your day-to-day life.
When you have an allergy, your immune system overreacts to harmless substances like dust mites or ragweed pollen. The goal of immunotherapy is to retrain your immune system so this overreaction is reduced — or even eliminated.
Environmental allergy immunotherapy works by introducing tiny, gradually increasing amounts of the allergen that’s causing your symptoms. Over time, your immune system builds tolerance, which can significantly improve nasal and eye allergy symptoms and reduce your need for daily medications.
While the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, research suggests immunotherapy stimulates specialized anti-inflammatory immune cells called T regulatory cells (Tregs), which help calm inflammation at the source. This process can take months to years, but the results are long-lasting, offering a future with fewer symptoms and more freedom.
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for environmental allergy immunotherapy. Determining eligibility starts with allergy testing and a conversation with a trained physician about the potential risks, benefits, and your personal health goals. You’ll also need to commit to regular follow-up visits so your provider can monitor your progress, fine-tune your treatment, or decide if it should be discontinued.
Your allergist will typically begin with allergy skin testing. Individuals with negative results — meaning no reaction to allergens like dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches, mold, pollens, or bee venom — are less likely to benefit from immunotherapy, as the immune system isn’t mounting a strong allergic response to those substances.
Your doctor will also review your history with allergy medications: which ones you’ve tried, how consistently you took them, how well they worked, and whether they caused side effects. Sometimes, identifying and avoiding allergens, plus taking an as-needed allergy pill, is enough to control symptoms. However, if your allergies persist despite medication — or if medication side effects limit your options — immunotherapy may be the right next step. The decision is always made together with your physician after testing and a thorough discussion.
Immunotherapy is one of the few treatments that can actually change your immune system — for the better. At Modena Health Solana Beach, we offer two types: sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT).
Sublingual immunotherapy (Latin for “under the tongue”) involves placing a small drop of allergen extract — such as pollen — under your tongue, where it’s absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
Subcutaneous immunotherapy (Latin for “under the skin”) uses a thin needle to inject the allergen extract just beneath the skin. While SLIT is more convenient, it’s often less effective and more expensive. That’s why most allergists still recommend SCIT as the preferred option for long-term results.
If your allergies or asthma are triggered by dust mites, pets, pollen, or mold, immunotherapy may be the key to lasting relief.
At Modena Health Solana Beach, we take time during your visit to educate you about the causes and symptoms of common environmental allergies. Nasal allergies can do more than make you sniffle — they can affect your voice, cause fatigue, disrupt sleep, trigger sinus infections, and create persistent post-nasal drip. Eye allergies can be just as disruptive, limiting your ability to enjoy pets, exercise, or spend time outdoors, and in some cases, leading to more serious eye conditions.
Our team understands the challenges allergies create and works with you to find lasting relief through treatment options tailored to your needs and lifestyle. We treat patients of all ages, but especially love helping children manage symptoms so they can grow up healthy and active. Having experienced allergies and asthma as a child, Dr. Brian Modena is passionate about helping people get back to living fully — with the freedom to enjoy the outdoors, pets, and the simple pleasures of daily life.
At Modena Health Solana Beach, we’ve helped countless patients find lasting relief from environmental allergies through personalized immunotherapy. This natural, targeted approach retrains your immune system so it reacts less strongly to common triggers like pollen, mold, and dust mites.
When taken consistently, immunotherapy can dramatically reduce both the frequency and intensity of allergy symptoms — meaning fewer sneezing fits, less eye irritation, and more days feeling your best.
With over 16 years of experience, Dr. Brian Modena specializes in treating eye, nose, ear, and throat symptoms using a combination of targeted allergy avoidance, effective medications, and tailored immunotherapy plans. For environmental allergy care in Solana Beach, patients trust Modena Health to help them breathe easier and live better.
If environmental allergies are keeping you from enjoying life to the fullest, Dr. Brian Modena and the team at Modena Health Solana Beach are here to help. Your relief from allergy symptoms is our top priority, and we’ll work with you to create a personalized plan that restores your comfort and confidence.
Don’t let sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion dictate your days. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward breathing easier, feeling better, and getting your life back.
At Modena Health Solana Beach, your care begins with a thorough physical exam, allergy skin testing, and a detailed discussion of your results. We work closely with you to determine the most effective therapy for your needs.
Immunotherapy is a natural, targeted way to retrain your immune system — and one of the few treatments that can permanently change how it responds to allergens. However, it’s not right for everyone. Before starting, it’s important to have a full discussion with a trained allergist about the potential risks, benefits, chances of success, and alternative options. For many people, allergen avoidance and medical therapy — such as pills, nasal sprays, or medicated eye drops — can provide excellent relief on their own.
Insurance coverage for allergy treatment varies by plan and the specifics of your treatment approach. Our team is happy to help you navigate your benefits and understand what’s covered.
