Dandelion Oral Food Challenges
The most direct way to determine whether a food can be safely eaten.
An oral food challenge is a medically supervised test in which increasing amounts of a food are eaten while the patient is carefully monitored.
What is an oral food challenge?
Sometimes a medical history, skin test and blood test still cannot tell us with enough certainty whether someone has a food allergy.
An oral food challenge allows the allergist to answer the question more directly. The patient eats carefully measured amounts of the suspected food while being closely monitored in the clinic.
Oral food challenges may also be used to determine whether someone has outgrown a previously diagnosed food allergy.
Why might I need one?
An oral food challenge may be considered when:
- It is unclear whether a food is truly causing an allergy
- Allergy test results do not match the patient's history
- The allergist thinks a child may have outgrown an allergy
- A food has been avoided because of a positive test but has never caused a reaction
- The allergist needs to establish the patient's current reaction threshold
What happens during the challenge?
Baseline assessment
We make sure you are well enough to proceed.
A very small amount is given
You eat a carefully measured amount of the food.
The dose increases
If there are no symptoms, additional amounts are given at scheduled intervals.
You are monitored
Our clinical team watches for symptoms throughout the challenge.
Observation
After the final dose, you remain in the clinic for an observation period.
Safety and preparation
What if I have a reaction? The challenge is stopped and the reaction is treated as needed. Our clinic is equipped to manage allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.
How should I prepare?
You may be asked to:
- Stop certain antihistamines beforehand
- Avoid the challenge if you are sick
- Make sure asthma is well controlled
- Bring a specific food or preparation
- Plan to remain at the clinic for several hours
Food Allergy Canada notes that patients should be healthy on the day of a challenge and that asthma should be well controlled.
Never test a food at home
Never perform your own food challenge at home unless specifically instructed by your allergist.
Getting an assessment
A food challenge is arranged by the allergist after an assessment, when the history and testing support it.
Assessments are by referral, and patients cannot book directly. Ask your family doctor, walk-in clinic, or another healthcare provider to fax a referral to 416 850 9993. Our team reviews it and contacts you to arrange the appointment.
If you are unsure whether this service applies to you, you are welcome to ask us a question first.