After a Reaction During a Food Challenge Test: How to Care for Your Child

A food challenge is a test that's used to find out if someone is allergic to a certain food or has outgrown a known allergy. 

During the test, your child had an allergic reaction after eating the food, so the test was stopped. Your child may have received medicine to treat the allergic reaction. 

Your child has been watched to make sure the reaction is under control and can now be cared for at home.

• Your child should continue to avoid the food that was tested.

• Your doctor may recommend medicine to control any mild symptoms that your child has. 

• Over the next 72 hours, watch for any worsening or new allergy symptoms. Watch for:

  • a rash

  • hives

  • vomiting

  • belly pain

  • swelling of the lips or face

  • coughing

  • wheezing

• Keep two epinephrine auto-injectors with your child at all times, including at school, child care, and activities. Make sure the auto-injectors have not expired, and don't leave them in cars or other places where they could be exposed to too much heat, cold, or sunlight.

• Use the epinephrine auto-injector right away if your child shows signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as:

  • trouble breathing

  • repeated vomiting

  • throat tightness

  • a combination of two mild symptoms (such as hives and vomiting)

  • loss of consciousness (passing out)

• If your child needed epinephrine, call 911.

• You have any questions or concerns.

• You are not sure how or when to use the epinephrine auto-injector.

Your child has a serious allergic reaction. 

Follow these steps:

1. Have someone call 911 while you give the epinephrine. If you're alone, give epinephrine first, then immediately call 911.

2. Lay your child down with the legs raised while you wait for the ambulance.

3. Take the used epinephrine auto-injector with you to the hospital. 

Even if your child is doing better after you used an epinephrine auto-injector, it's important to call 911. Some kids have a second wave of serious symptoms and need emergency medical care.

Why are food challenge tests done? A food challenge test can help doctors find out:

• if a child has an allergy when the results of other tests are unclear

• if a child has outgrown an allergy