Oral Food & Drug Challenges in Chicago
Oral drug challenge:
Not all drug reactions are true hypersensitivity reactions. An oral challenge may have to be done to assess if a patient is truly allergic and must avoid the drug. During this allergy test, the patient is administered small doses of the potential allergen, initially as a skin test, and then incremental increases orally until the therapeutic dose is achieved. The patient is watched throughout the challenge for an immediate type reaction such as anaphylaxis. Depending on the drug, the patient may be instructed to take the drug for several days after the visit. Oral drug challenges can help to liberalize medication and treatment options and determine the potential risk of anaphylaxis.
Oral food challenge:
An oral food challenge may be employed as the final step in the diagnosis of food allergies. Scratch testing and occasionally blood testing are required prior to a food challenge. A food challenge is an allergy test which involves incremental increases in exposure to a suspected food allergen. Between each consumption, the patient is monitored for a reaction. A food challenge can help to liberalize a patient’s diet.
Why Choose an Allergist-Supervised Oral Challenge?
Oral food and drug challenges are considered the most accurate way to confirm or rule out an allergy. Because the test involves eating or taking a suspected allergen, it should only be performed under the supervision of a board-certified allergist in a setting prepared to treat a reaction. At Premier Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Care, challenges are performed in our Chicago-area offices with trained staff and emergency medications on hand.
Who May Benefit From a Challenge?
- Patients with a history of a drug reaction, such as a suspected penicillin allergy, who may be able to safely use the medication
- Children and adults whose food allergy testing results are unclear
- Patients who may have outgrown a childhood food allergy
- Anyone avoiding foods or medications unnecessarily based on an unconfirmed allergy
How to Prepare
Your allergist will review your history and prior test results before scheduling. You may be asked to stop antihistamines for several days beforehand and to arrive well. Plan to spend several hours in the office, since patients are observed during and after the challenge. Passing a challenge can expand your diet or medication options and provide real peace of mind.
Oral Challenge FAQs
Where can I get an oral food challenge in Chicago?
Premier Allergy performs oral food and drug challenges in our Chicago-area offices, with trained staff and emergency medications on hand throughout the challenge.
How long does an oral challenge take?
Plan to spend several hours in the office, since patients are observed during and after the challenge.
Can I be tested for a penicillin allergy?
Yes. Many people with a suspected penicillin allergy are not truly allergic. An allergist-supervised oral drug challenge can help determine whether you can safely take the medication.
Can children have an oral food challenge?
Yes. Oral food challenges are commonly used for children with unclear food allergy test results or who may have outgrown a food allergy.
Visit a Chicago Allergist Near You
Premier Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Care sees adults, adolescents and children at three Chicago-area offices:
- Chicago Loop office – downtown Chicago, (312) 796-2241
- Lincoln Park office – free parking, (773) 665-4016
Patients visit us from across Chicagoland, including Evanston, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Oak Park and dozens of other nearby communities. Book an appointment online or call the office closest to you.