What is the gold standard test for diagnosing food allergies?

1. Oral food challenge

2. Skin prick tests

3. Serum specific IgE blood tests

4. Patch testing

5. Diagnostic elimination of food items

An oral food challenge is the gold standard test for confirming food allergies. They can be performed when a diagnosis remains uncertain from the history, allergy testing and diagnostic elimination of food items. It should be undertaken in an adequately resourced clinic or hospital setting, under close observation by appropriately trained staff with facilities for emergency treatment of anaphylaxis and resuscitation.

Reference

• Akinwande I, Salako K. Food allergies and atopic dermatitis. InnovAiT 2020; 13(11): 655–659.