An egg challenge test is used to find out if a person is allergic to eggs or has outgrown their egg allergy. Here's how to make sure your child is ready for their egg challenge test.

Follow your health care provider's recommendations for: 

• When to stop all allergy medicines and antihistamines like Benadryl^®, Claritin^®, and Zyrtec^®. (If your child takes these medicines too close to the test, the test will not be accurate.)
• Any other medicines to stop, such as certain nose sprays (Astelin^®, Astepro^®, and Patanase^®).
• If you should stop any of your child's other regular medicines before the test.
• What your child can eat the day of the test. (If they are allowed to eat, make sure they don't have anything that may trigger an allergic reaction.)
• Any foods to bring to the test and any specific instructions you got about how to prepare the foods.

Other tips:

• Bring your child's epinephrine auto-injectors to the appointment.
• Bring books, toys, and/or games to keep your child busy during the test, especially during the waiting times. 
• Stay calm during the test to help keep your child relaxed as well.

• Your child is ill (even with just a cold), or has an allergic reaction, an asthma flare-up, or an eczema flare-up in the 7 days before the test.
• You gave your child any allergy medicine, antihistamine, or any medicine your health care provider told you to avoid in the 7 days before the test.
• You're not sure whether your child should stop taking a specific medicine before the test.
• Your child used their asthma inhaler on the day of the test.

What happens during an egg challenge test? Your child will start by eating very small amounts of egg. The health care provider will watch them closely for signs of an allergic reaction. If there are no signs of an allergic reaction, your child will slowly eat more egg until they have had a full portion. If at any time during the test your child has an allergic reaction, your health care provider will treat it. The reaction might be mild (such as a rash or itching) or more severe (such as vomiting or trouble breathing).

After the test, your health care provider will let you know if you should make any changes to your child's diet.

How long does an egg challenge test take? The challenge can take several hours because the amount of egg is increased slowly. Follow your health care provider's instructions for how long you need to stay in the office and how long to watch your child after the test.