How Does Oral Food Challenge Testing Work?
Oral Food Challenge testing involves a Step-by-step process to safely expose a patient to a suspected allergen under medical supervision. The test begins with the patient consuming a very small, measured dose of the suspected food. Over time, the amount of food is gradually increased while the healthcare provider closely monitors for any signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or gastrointestinal symptoms. The test continues until the patient either completes the full serving without symptoms or shows a reaction, indicating a food allergy.
During the test, patients are typically observed for several hours to ensure any delayed reactions are detected. If no symptoms develop, the patient may be cleared to consume the food safely in their regular diet. If a reaction occurs, the test is halted immediately, and appropriate medical interventions are provided if necessary. OFC testing is considered one of the most reliable ways to diagnose food allergies because it provides direct evidence of how the body responds to a specific food in real time.
