What to Expect from an Oral Food Challenge or Xolair Treatment

At Empower Allergy Treatment, parents often ask what happens during an oral food challenge, when Xolair (omalizumab) is used, and how various allergy testing methods are used to come up with a tailored treatment plan for their child. This guide lays out everything you need to know in a clear, reassuring way – so you know what to expect before, during and after your child’s appointment.

What You Need To Know About Modern Allergy Testing

Modern food allergy diagnosis is a whole lot less stressful – and a whole lot more accurate – than it used to be. Today’s allergy testing methods allow specialists to figure out whether a child has an IgE -mediated allergy, a non- IgE allergy or lingering sensitivity that may fade with time. At Empower Allergy Treatment, we use a mix of Skin Prick Testing, Blood Testing, symptom history and clinical evaluation to get a complete picture of your child’s health.

Each test gives us a slightly different view of what’s going on . Skin testing can identify immediate -reaction allergies, while blood tests help measure IgE levels and guide decisions about challenges or long-term treatment. Your allergist might also recommend Lung Function Testing if asthma or breathing problems are a part of your child’s reactions. By combining these tools, our specialists can give your child the safest and most accurate evaluation possible.

What's An Oral Food Challenge And How Does It Work ?

An oral food challenge (OFC) is one of the most trusted and definitive tools for diagnosing or ruling out food allergies. During an OFC, your child will eat tiny , carefully measured amounts of the suspected allergen under the careful eye of a trained medical specialist. Because any reactions that might happen will be treated straight away, the OFC is considered to be extremely safe.

Allergists at Empower may recommend an OFC if your child’s test results are unclear, if IgE levels have changed or if your family wants to confirm whether an allergy has been outgrown. Parents find that food challenges can reduce uncertainty and help shape the right long-term plan for their child, whether that involves oral immunotherapy, avoidance planning or reintroducing certain foods at home.

Preparing Your Child For An Oral Food Challenge

Families can get a bit anxious before their first OFC, but it’s actually pretty simple to prepare. Your allergist will let you know if any antihistamines need to be stopped beforehand, how long your appointment will be , and what food to bring. Many parents also pack their child’s favourite toys, books or snacks that are safe – just to help them feel a bit more at ease during the visit.

Bringing a fully charged tablet or allowing some screen time is completely fine – just give your kid a comfortable and predictable experience.

You’ll also get clear instructions about what to expect before, during and after the challenge – from breakfast to recent illnesses and what happens during the monitoring. When you arrive, our team will walk you through the whole process again so that you feel confident about what’s happening.

The Step-By-Step Process Of An Oral Food Challenge

An OFC follows a clear and predictable process that is designed to make sure both the child and the parents feel safe and comfortable. Here’s how it usually works:

1. Check-in & getting the facts: Your child’s blood pressure, oxygen level and baseline symptoms are recorded before they start.
2. Initial assessment: The allergist confirms that your child is healthy enough to carry on.
3. First dose: A tiny amount of the allergen is given – usually too small to even notice.
4. Increasing the dose: Every 10–20 minutes, your child gets a slightly larger amount.
5. Keeping a close eye: Our team watches for any symptoms, even if they are just mild ones like itching or tummy trouble.
6. Final check-out: After they have finished the full dose, your child stays for some more monitoring before heading home.

Parents love that the process is so clearly structured – no surprises, no uncertainty. Whether your child passes or reacts, you’ll know the next steps before you leave the clinic.

What Is Xolair - And How Does It Work ?

Xolair (omalizumab) is an FDA-approved medication that reduces IgE levels – the antibodies that can trigger allergic reactions. Unlike an OFC, which is a test to help diagnose or rule out food allergies, Xolair is a treatment that can help decrease sensitivity and protect against accidental exposures. It’s especially helpful for children who have multiple food allergies, really severe reactions or complex medical history that makes traditional treatment hard to manage.

The treatment is a series of injections – usually every two to four weeks. Many families are happy that Xolair can be used alongside other therapies – such as sublingual immunotherapy or oral desensitization programs. Our specialists carefully work out whether Xolair is the right option for each child based on symptoms, IgE levels and overall allergy risk.

Xolair vs. Oral Food Challenges - When Is Each Recommended ?

Parents often wonder whether their kids need an OFC, Xolair, or a mix of both. The answer depends on what you're trying to achieve -

• OFC is used to figure out if your child has a food allergy by either confirming or ruling one out.
• Xolair is used to actually treat allergies by making reactions less severe and also helping to ensure your child is safe in the long run.

Some kids do best getting both approaches. For instance, a doctor might recommend Xolair before starting Oral Immunotherapy to help reduce the risk of bad reactions. Meanwhile, an OFC might be scheduled after your child has reached some key milestones in treatment to make sure they are still making progress. Empower's allergists build a customized plan for every child and their family so that you never feel lost or confused about what's best.

What to Expect When Your Child Gets Treatment At Empower Allergy Treatment

The moment you step through our doors, our team makes sure your child has a great experience - one that's gentle, open and totally tailored to what they need. We're known for our child-friendly environment, how we talk to parents in a way that's really clear and compassionate, and above all else, our focus on keeping your child safe.

Parents can take a closer look at our Services and Programs to learn more about what kinds of testing we do, the treatment options we offer, and how we help families take care of their allergies long-term.

You can also visit our About Us page to meet our allergists, understand where we come from, and see why so many families trust us for their most complex allergy care. Whether your child needs a test, ongoing treatment, or a second opinion - our specialists are right there with you every step of the way.

Safety, Monitoring & Emergency Preparedness

At the end of the day, safety is what we do best. When your child is getting an OFC, injection or treatment - we've got emergency medications and equipment right on hand. Our team is always trained up on how to recognize and handle allergic reactions in kids, even the really rare or delayed types.

And because our procedures take place in a controlled environment - one that's staffed by specialists who do these things all day long - you can feel confident that your child is in good hands.

Life After Testing: What Families Can Expect Next

Once your child's test results are back - your allergist will sit down with you and go over what the findings mean and lay out what you should do next. This might include learning about how to introduce new foods, strategies for taking care of your child's allergies long-term, or even re-testing your child at a later date.

If your child has asthma, eczema, or chronic allergy symptoms, your specialist may also suggest some extra tools to help out and check in with you from time to time. Empower is here to help families feel confident, safe, and prepared for whatever comes next.

Conclusion

Whether your child is getting ready for that Oral Food Challenge, considering Xolair, or starting a new allergy treatment plan - Empower Allergy Treatment is here to give you the level of care that you can trust. Our team is here to guide you through every step - answering questions, talking down fears and putting together a treatment plan that is tailored to your child's unique needs, contact us today.