Yes, because it is performed in a graded manner starting with tiny amounts. Reactions, if they occur, are caught at the earliest stage (like mild lip itching) and stopped immediately. We have full safety protocols and emergency medications on hand.
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Diagnostic Test
Oral Food Challenge
The definitive answer. Suspected foods are eaten in graded doses under direct supervision.
Duration:Half day in-clinic
Overview
The Oral Food Challenge (OFC) is the definitive diagnostic test for food allergy. Under strict medical supervision, the patient is given gradually increasing amounts of a suspected food allergen. It is used to confirm a food allergy diagnosis, determine if a patient has outgrown an allergy, or clarify conflicting skin/blood test results.
How It Works
- Graded Dosing: The food is administered in 5 to 6 small, incrementally larger doses, starting with a microscopic amount.
- Observation: The patient is monitored for 15 to 30 minutes after each dose for any symptoms.
- Emergency Readiness: The test is conducted in our specialized clinic equipped with immediate resuscitation gear (adrenaline, oxygen, antihistamines).
- Post-Challenge Observation: If tolerated, the patient is observed for 2 hours before safely going home.
What to Expect
- A half-day stay (3 to 4 hours) in our clinical setting.
- Direct, constant monitoring by Dr. Sunita Shukla and our clinical nursing team.
- Absolute clarity: Either the food is safely reintroduced, or a mild reaction is caught early and treated immediately.
Who Is It For?
- Children whose blood/skin tests suggest they may have outgrown a milk, egg, or wheat allergy.
- Patients with borderline or conflicting food allergy test results.
- Individuals wanting to safely reintroduce foods that they have avoided for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
The patient must be completely healthy on the day of the test. Any asthma symptoms or antihistamine use will require rescheduling. The child should arrive slightly hungry so they willingly eat the challenge food.
Take the next step
Interested in booking a oral food challenge? Consult our specialists.
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