Oral Food Challenge

What is the Oral Food Challenge?

The Oral Food Challenge is a medically supervised test used to diagnose and confirm food allergies. It’s the gold standard in food allergy testing because it directly observes your child’s reaction to a specific food allergen in a controlled, safe environment. We administer small, gradually increasing doses of the suspected food allergen under professional supervision to see if an allergic reaction occurs.

For children with food allergies, the Oral Food Challenge is especially helpful when earlier tests (such as skin prick or blood tests) are unclear or conflicting. It’s also useful to see if your child has outgrown a food allergy, so you and your child can have peace of mind.

How Does the Oral Food Challenge Work?

The Oral Food Challenge is done in a controlled environment with medical professionals on hand to respond to any reactions. Here’s how it works:

1. Pre-Test Consultation: Before we start the test, you’ll meet with one of our allergists to review your child’s medical history, symptoms and past allergy test results. We make sure the test is safe and appropriate.‍
2. Preparation and Safety: The test is done in our medical facility where we have all the necessary equipment and medications to treat any allergic reactions. Our trained staff will monitor your child the entire time.‍
3. Gradual Introduction of the Food: The suspected food allergen is introduced in small doses. Over 1-2 hours, the dose is increased gradually under close supervision, with monitoring after each dose to see if any symptoms appear.‍
4. Monitoring: Your child will be watched closely for symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as swelling, hives, difficulty breathing or gastrointestinal distress. If symptoms occur, the challenge is stopped and the symptoms are treated with an antihistamine or epinephrine. If no reaction occurs, we increase the dose until your child eats the full serving. After the test, your child is monitored for 1-2 hours to make sure there is no delayed reaction.‍
5. Final Diagnosis: At the end of the challenge, the allergist will review the results. If your child has a reaction, it confirms the allergy and the allergist will guide you on next steps for treatment. If no reaction, it confirms your child is not allergic to that food, which eliminates any uncertainty.

Benefits of the Oral Food Challenge

The Oral Food Challenge is super helpful for food allergies, especially for kids. Here are the perks:

• Accurate Diagnosis:This test is the most reliable way to diagnose food allergies, especially when previous tests were unclear.
• Safe and Controlled Environment:The test is done under medical supervision to ensure your child’s safety. If a reaction occurs, medical intervention is immediate.
• Peace of Mind:If you’ve been unsure about your child’s food allergy diagnosis, the Oral Food Challenge gives you definitive answers. This eliminates doubts and can prevent unnecessary dietary restrictions.
• Prevent allergy through early introduction (or Prevent allergies):There is strong evidence that introducing peanuts and other allergenic foods early can actually prevent a food allergy from occurring (link to another part of the website or to the LEAP study itself (Randomized Trial of Peanut Consumption in Infants at Risk for Peanut Allergy | New England Journal of Medicine), with more info about this).‍
• Assessing Food Tolerance:For kids who may have outgrown a food allergy, the Oral Food Challenge can confirm if it’s safe to reintroduce that food into their diet, so they can get more freedom in their eating.

Who Should Do an Oral Food Challenge?

The Oral Food Challenge is for:

• Children with unclear allergy test results: If skin prick tests or blood tests haven’t given a clear answer, the Oral Food Challenge will.
• Children who may have outgrown a food allergy: For kids who are getting older and may no longer be allergic to foods like peanuts, eggs or milk, this test will confirm if it’s safe to reintroduce those foods.
• ‍Those considering other treatments: The test can help determine if your child needs treatments such as Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) if they have a food allergy that can be desensitized.

Risks of the Oral Food Challenge

While the Oral Food Challenge is generally safe when done by trained professionals, there are risks:

1. Allergic Reactions: The biggest risk is an allergic reaction to the food being tested. Reactions can range from mild symptoms like itching and swelling to more severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, vomiting or anaphylaxis. But since the test is done under professional supervision, emergency measures are available if needed.‍
2. Post-Test Symptoms: Some kids may experience a flare of their eczema or some diarrhea after the test. These symptoms are usually mild and resolve within a few days.

When Should You Do an Oral Food Challenge?

You might want to do an Oral Food Challenge if:

• Previous tests were unclear or inconclusive.
• You think your child has outgrown a food allergy and want to confirm it.
• You’re considering treatment options like Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) for desensitizing your child to specific allergens.

Conclusion

The Oral Food Challenge is a valuable tool for diagnosing food allergies, determining if your child has outgrown a food allergy and for families who are unsure about their child’s food allergies. It’s a safe and controlled process that will give you peace of mind and help your child have more food freedom.

Ready to get started with the Oral Food Challenge for your child? Contact Empower Allergy Treatment today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards clarity and allergy management.

Contact Us Today to schedule a consultation and find out if the Oral Food Challenge is right for your child.