Find the Right Allergy, Asthma or Immunology Care Before Your First Visit
Allergy & Asthma Medical Group and Research Center serves adults and children in the San Diego region and works with Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego. Its clinical focus includes allergies, asthma, eczema, food allergy and uncommon immune disorders, with access to specialized multidisciplinary programs when ordinary office care is not enough.
Instead of sending you through a collection of medical links, this guide explains how the clinic works, who it treats, how referrals are routed, what testing may involve, what to prepare before an appointment, how MyChart fits into the process, and which phone or fax number belongs to each patient task.
The practice states that it has served San Diego since 1969.
Both pediatric and adult allergy/immunology care.
5776 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123.
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dedicated clinical research department at the Ruffin Road site.
Which type of Allergy and Asthma Medical Group care fits your problem?
Start with a standard allergy/immunology evaluation when the main problem is seasonal allergy, suspected food allergy, asthma, eczema, recurrent allergic reactions or concern about immune function.
A child with difficult asthma or severe atopic dermatitis may be evaluated through a Rady Children’s multidisciplinary program involving several specialties in one coordinated visit.
The research center conducts allergy, asthma and immunology studies separately from ordinary clinical scheduling. Eligibility depends on each study protocol.
Which “Allergy and Asthma Medical Group” does this guide cover?
The focus of this article is Allergy & Asthma Medical Group and Research Center, often shortened to AAMG or AAMGRC, at Ruffin Road in San Diego.
- Your appointment or referral says Ruffin Road.
- Your care is connected with Rady Children’s Allergy/Immunology.
- Your provider is part of the AAMGRC/Rady allergy team.
- You were directed to Rady Children’s MyChart.
- Your research contact uses allergyandasthma.com.
- California Allergy & Asthma Medical Group in the Los Angeles/Lancaster area.
- Allergy & Asthma Medical Group of the Bay Area.
- Other similarly named private allergy practices outside San Diego.
- An unrelated portal found through a general web search.
Conditions evaluated by Allergy and Asthma Medical Group
Nasal, eye and respiratory symptoms associated with environmental allergens such as pollen or other triggers.
Evaluation of suspected immediate food reactions and related allergic conditions.
Assessment of wheezing, cough, airway symptoms, triggers and difficult-to-control asthma.
Allergy evaluation when atopic dermatitis occurs alongside other allergic disease or becomes difficult to manage.
Evaluation of selected rare immune diseases and primary immunodeficiency concerns.
Conditions in the allergic/atopic spectrum may be evaluated depending on symptoms and referral reason.
How to make an Allergy and Asthma Medical Group appointment
Do you need a referral before seeing the clinic?
The answer depends on the insurance plan and the type of program. AAMGRC specifically directs patients with referral or insurance-coverage questions to their primary care physician or insurance provider.
Your health plan determines whether a specialist referral or prior authorization is required.
A child must be referred by a Rady Children’s pulmonologist or allergist.
The Multidisciplinary Atopic Dermatitis Program requires referral by a Rady Children’s dermatologist or allergist.
What to bring to your allergy or asthma appointment
For a suspected food reaction, write down the episode before the visit
Exact food, ingredients, brand and approximate amount eaten.
How long after eating the symptoms started.
Skin, breathing, gastrointestinal, throat, cardiovascular or other symptoms.
What medication was used and whether emergency care was needed.
What allergy testing may involve
Allergy testing is not one universal panel. The physician chooses a test based on the reaction history, age, suspected trigger and the clinical question being answered.
| Test | What it helps evaluate | What patients should know |
|---|---|---|
| Skin-prick testing | Checks sensitization to selected allergens placed on or introduced superficially into the skin. | A positive skin test must be interpreted with the medical history; it does not automatically prove that an allergen causes real-world symptoms. |
| Allergen-specific IgE blood test | Measures IgE antibodies to selected suspected allergens. | Useful in selected situations when blood testing is clinically appropriate; interpretation still depends on the reaction history. |
| Component testing | Examines IgE to specific allergen proteins in selected food-allergy evaluations. | It is not required for every patient and should answer a specific diagnostic question. |
| Oral food challenge | Supervised ingestion may be used when clinicians need to determine whether a food can be tolerated. | This is a medical procedure performed under clinical supervision, not something to reproduce at home. |
| Patch testing | May be used in selected allergy evaluations depending on the suspected condition. | The allergist determines whether patch testing matches the symptom pattern. |
How asthma evaluation can go beyond listening to the lungs
Rady Children’s Severe Asthma Program describes a much broader assessment for difficult asthma. The team reviews asthma and allergy history, previous therapies, treatment response, disease severity and the effect asthma has on daily life.
Asthma symptoms can vary from day to day. Pulmonary testing can provide measurements that help the team assess airway obstruction, inflammation and response to treatment rather than relying only on how the lungs sound during one office visit.
| Evaluation | What it measures | Why it may be useful |
|---|---|---|
| Spirometry | Air movement, including measurements such as FEV1 and FVC. | Helps assess patterns of airflow limitation and overall lung function. |
| Impulse oscillometry | Resistance within large and small airways using pressure oscillations. | Can provide additional airway-mechanics information and bronchodilator response. |
| FeNO | Nitric oxide in exhaled breath. | Can help assess a type of airway inflammation in the appropriate clinical setting. |
| Exercise challenge | Symptoms and respiratory response during monitored exercise. | May help determine whether exercise triggers asthma symptoms. |
| Plethysmography | Lung volumes, including air remaining after maximal exhalation. | Adds information beyond routine spirometry in selected patients. |
Who the Severe Asthma Program is designed for
The program is intended for children with severe or difficult-to-manage asthma, particularly when allergic rhinitis, food allergy or other lung conditions complicate care. A Rady Children’s pulmonologist or allergist must refer the patient.
Food allergy care: what patients may encounter
The affiliated Rady Children’s Food Allergy Center evaluates IgE-mediated food allergy, FPIES, pollen-food allergy syndrome and allergic conditions that occur alongside food allergy, including eczema, allergic rhinitis, asthma and chronic hives.
History may be combined with skin testing, allergen-specific IgE testing or component testing when appropriate.
Oral food challenges may be used in carefully selected patients when clinicians need to clarify whether a food is tolerated.
Education can include reaction recognition, emergency plans and safe management at home, school, restaurants and while traveling.
Questions worth asking at a food-allergy visit
When severe eczema may need multidisciplinary care
The Multidisciplinary Atopic Dermatitis Program brings allergy and dermatology expertise together for patients with severe or difficult-to-manage eczema.
The team reviews eczema, allergy history and therapies already tried.
Clinicians assess disease severity and how much it affects quality of life.
Allergy, dermatology, pharmacy and education perspectives may be combined into one care plan.
When an allergist may investigate immune-system problems
Allergy/immunology is broader than hay fever. AAMGRC identifies rare immune diseases, including immunodeficiency disorders, as part of its clinical focus.
What Rady Children’s MyChart can help you manage
Allergy & Asthma Medical Group directs patients to Rady Children’s MyChart. Rady describes MyChart as a secure system that gives authorized users access to portions of a child’s health record.
View upcoming visits and use supported scheduling, confirmation or cancellation functions.
Request medication refills when the prescription and account support portal refill requests.
Send secure non-emergency messages to the care team.
Review available test results and portions of the health record.
Review medications and other health-summary information.
Review appointment details and available after-visit information.
MyChart activation problems
Clinical trials at Allergy and Asthma Medical Group Research Center
Research is a major part of AAMGRC rather than a side service. The practice describes sponsored clinical trials, investigator-initiated projects, translational research and collaborations with academic institutions.
The research program maintains asthma-focused studies and directs interested patients to the research team for current enrollment information.
Allergy-focused studies may include participants who meet a study’s diagnosis, age and treatment requirements.
The center also participates in work involving uncommon immune disorders and advanced therapies.
Allergy and Asthma Medical Group phone, fax and referral directory
Several official phone numbers appear across AAMGRC and Rady resources because they serve different patient workflows. Use the purpose—not just the first number you find.
| Need | Contact | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| AAMGRC clinic front desk | 858-966-4900 | The practice’s published clinical front-desk contact and appointment questions. |
| Ruffin Road allergy location | 858-292-1144 | Rady Children’s location directory number published specifically for the Allergy & Asthma Medical Group Ruffin Road location. |
| General clinic fax | 858-268-5145 | General clinic fax published by AAMGRC and Rady location resources. |
| Referral / authorization fax | 855-966-4051 | Physician referrals and authorization documents as specifically instructed on the AAMGRC clinic page. |
| Research department | 858-268-2368 | Clinical-trial and research participation questions. |
| Research fax | 858-268-5147 | Research-department fax communications. |
| MyChart technical help | 877-902-4278 | Rady Children’s MyChart activation or technical-access problems. |
Allergy and Asthma Medical Group Ruffin Road location
Allergy & Asthma Medical Group and Research Center5776 Ruffin Road
San Diego, CA 92123
Monday-Friday
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
What to do when the appointment process is not working
Practical tips that can make the visit easier
Rashes, hives and swelling may disappear before the appointment. Clear dated photos can preserve useful visual information.
Names and colors are easy to confuse. Bringing current devices can make technique and medication review easier.
A label, restaurant receipt or ingredient photo may be more useful than remembering only the meal name.
For asthma, note how often rescue treatment is needed and whether symptoms wake the patient at night or limit exercise.
Severe asthma, immune and eczema evaluations are easier when previous specialist records arrive before the visit.
AAMGRC publishes separate general clinic, referral/authorization and research fax numbers.
Rady allergy services exist at multiple San Diego-area sites, so save the exact appointment address.
Put the most important questions first so they are addressed even if the visit becomes focused on testing or medication review.
Before leaving, know how results will arrive, who will explain them and when another appointment is needed.
Allergy and Asthma Medical Group FAQs
1. Where is Allergy and Asthma Medical Group located?
The main AAMGRC clinic is at 5776 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123. Confirm your appointment address because Rady Children’s also operates allergy/immunology clinics at other locations.
2. What conditions does the practice treat?
Its stated clinical areas include seasonal allergies, food allergies, asthma, eczema, rare immune diseases and other atopic conditions.
3. Does Allergy and Asthma Medical Group treat adults?
Yes. AAMGRC states that it provides allergy and immunology care to both adult and pediatric patients. Some Rady Children’s specialty programs are specifically pediatric.
4. How do I schedule an appointment?
The practice instructs patients to call for appointments or use supported Rady Children’s MyChart functions. Its published clinic front desk number is 858-966-4900.
5. Do I need a referral?
That depends on your health plan and the specific clinic. AAMGRC tells patients to check referral and insurance requirements with their primary care physician or insurer. Some multidisciplinary Rady programs require specific internal referrals.
6. What allergy tests might be used?
Depending on the clinical question, testing may include skin-prick testing, allergen-specific IgE blood testing, component testing, oral food challenge or other targeted testing. Not every patient needs every test.
7. Does the practice provide severe asthma care?
AAMG physicians participate in Rady Children’s Severe Asthma Program, which combines allergy, pulmonary, pharmacy and education services for difficult-to-manage pediatric asthma. A Rady allergist or pulmonologist referral is required.
8. Is there special care for severe eczema?
Yes. The Multidisciplinary Atopic Dermatitis Program combines allergy and dermatology expertise and is intended for severe or difficult-to-manage eczema. Referral from a Rady allergist or dermatologist is required.
9. Can I use Rady Children’s MyChart?
AAMGRC directs patients to Rady Children’s MyChart. Depending on account access, it can be used for appointments, messages, medication refill requests and review of available health information.
10. Does Allergy and Asthma Medical Group conduct research?
Yes. AAMGRC has a dedicated research department conducting clinical trials and other allergy, asthma and immunology research. Research inquiries should go to 858-268-2368 or the practice’s research contact system.
Use the official systems only when you are ready to act
The care pathways, referral requirements, testing concepts, contact purposes and preparation steps are explained above. These official tools are mainly useful for completing the final live action.