Diagnosing food allergies often starts with a doctor performing skin prick or blood tests. If these fail to do the trick, your allergist might suggest an oral food challenge, or “OFC,” which is a test where you’ll eat small amounts of the food under medical supervision to check for adverse reactions.
What are Food Allergies?
Food allergies happen when the immune system mistakenly sees certain food proteins as dangerous. This can cause health problems ranging from mild symptoms like hives and stomach aches to severe, life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis. If a person’s body reacts negatively to certain foods each time they eat them, it indicates that their immune system is consistently misidentifying those specific foods as harmful.
Common food allergy symptoms include:
- Hives
- Wheezing
- Swelling
- Trouble swallowing
- Itching
- Runny nose
- Digestive issues
What is the Oral Food Challenge?
An oral food challenge is a diagnostic procedure to determine if a person is allergic to a specific food. Under close medical supervision, the patient will eat incremental amounts of possible allergens to see if any reactions occur. The speed and accuracy of oral challenges make them one of the best methods for diagnosing food allergies.
Getting to the bottom of a suspected food allergy is absolutely critical, as some reactions can be life-threatening. An OFC will allow us to discover your triggers in a safe and controlled way and provide swift treatment if needed.
What to Expect During the Test
During an oral food challenge, the patient eats small amounts of the suspected allergen over a set period, starting with small portions and gradually increasing them. They will be closely monitored for any signs of an allergic reaction; if symptoms like hives, swelling, coughing, or stomach issues occur, the test is stopped immediately, and medical treatment is given.
Is the Oral Food Challenge Safe?
An oral food challenge is safe, but it does come with risks, which is why it’s always conducted in your healthcare provider’s office under close supervision. Although severe reactions are rare, your allergist is prepared to handle them. Our outstanding staff is here for you every step of the way.
Preparing for the Oral Food Challenge
To prepare for an OFC, you’ll need to follow instructions provided the doctor, which may include:
- Avoiding known allergens for up to two weeks.
- Stopping antihistamines before the test.
- Fasting for a few hours prior.
Discuss your allergies and medications with your allergist beforehand to determine what medications you can continue to take and which ones you should avoid before the test. The test itself usually takes 3-4 hours; after you’ve completed it, your allergist will discuss the next steps you should take (if any.)
Oral Food Challenge Testing at Northern Valley Allergy Asthma & Sinus Center
With the right treatment and management, you can avoid dangerous allergic reactions to food and live normally. If you think you have a food allergy, talk to our compassionate staff about scheduling an OFC or other diagnostic procedure. In addition to providing diagnoses, we treat a wide range of allergies, asthma issues, sinus disorders, and more.
Contact Northern Valley Allergy, Asthma, and Sinus Center today to make an appointment with our experienced allergists to find the relief you deserve.
