Food allergies are an ever-present health concern for many people throughout Atlanta. For these adults and children, accurate food allergy testing is a vital first step towards safely managing their condition. If you or your child have a reaction after eating, your allergist may recommend an oral challenge test.
What Is the Purpose of Oral Challenge Tests in Managing Food Allergies?
An oral challenge test is a procedure used to diagnose food allergies. The test involves giving a patient gradually increasing amounts of the suspected food allergen while monitoring for any allergic response. In most cases this type of test has a highly specific role in diagnosing and managing a food allergy.
An Accurate Tool for Confirming an Allergy Diagnosis
While not used as frequently as alternative diagnostic procedures, the oral challenge test is certainly an important tool for allergists. If your allergist identifies signs you need food allergy testing, they will usually recommend the skin prick or blood test. However, when these tests provide inconclusive results, an oral challenge test can offer clarity and certainty. And though the entire process can take several hours at your allergist’s office, the accurate results obtained will enable a sound diagnosis.
Assess the Allergen Tolerance Level
Oral challenge tests involve consuming small portions of the suspected allergen, with the amount increasing every 15–20 minutes. The test stops when an allergic reaction is observed. This process will determine how much of the particular food a person can safely consume before they are at risk.
Supports a Food Allergy Management Plan
After the patient receives an accurate food allergy diagnosis they will have the necessary information to carefully manage their condition. For those with severe allergies, allergists typically recommend carrying an epinephrine auto-injector as a safeguard in case of an anaphylactic episode. Some patients may also benefit from oral immunotherapy treatment, which aims to desensitize the immune system to specific food allergens.
Determines Food Allergy Status
As children get older they can potentially outgrow an allergy. For example, many children build a tolerance for milk, eggs and wheat by their teenage years. Oral challenge tests play a key role in assessing a person’s food allergy status, and whether or not they can comfortably tolerate the food. Using the oral challenge offers a safe way to identify sensitivity under medical supervision.
Supports Healthy Nutritional Planning
The results from oral challenge food allergy testing support healthy nutritional planning. Patients can easily learn the foods they need to avoid—without unnecessarily cutting out other foods that contribute to a balanced diet. So if a person outgrows their allergy or desensitizes their immune system with oral immunotherapy, testing can identify this new tolerance level.
Contact Us for Food Allergy Testing in the Atlanta Area
For food allergy testing and treatment, visit one of our centers located across Atlanta. Our skilled allergists diagnose allergies and develop customized allergy management plans for long-term relief. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment today.
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