NCT07341776

Steroid Use in Treatment of Allergic Reactions to Food

Evaluation of Emergency Medication in Children With Food Allergies: a Prospective, Randomized Clinical Multicenter Study Comparing Antihistamines Versus Antihistamines Plus Steroids in a Controlled Setting of Oral Food Challenges in Children.

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 4
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 160 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Johannes Trueck · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 6 Months – 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

In this study, the investigators want to find out whether a specific medication commonly used for severe allergic reactions is really necessary. When children have allergic reactions to foods, they are often given medications to relieve the symptoms. In addition to adrenaline and antihistamines, steroids are frequently administered in German-speaking Switzerland. However, it is unclear whether steroids are really helpful in this situation. To investigate this, the investigators are comparing two groups: one group receives additional steroids, and the other does not. Which treatment a participant receives is decided randomly, like flipping a coin. The study takes place during a pre-scheduled provocation test at the clinic. If an allergic reaction occurs, the usual emergency medications will be administered. Doctors will closely monitor how the reaction develops. No additional tests or visits are required. The results of this study could help improve allergy treatment in the future.

Conditions

• Anaphylactic Reaction
• Anaphylaxis
• Allergy in Children
• IgE Mediated Food Allergy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Antihistamines	Oral administration of antihistamines for treatment of allergic symptoms during the oral food challenge.
DRUG	Systemic corticosteroids	Oral administration of systemic corticosteroids as adjunctive treatment of allergic reactions during the oral food challenge.
DRUG	Adrenaline (rescue medication)	Intramuscular administration of adrenaline as rescue treatment for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), administered as clinically indicated.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-01-26
• Primary completion: 2026-12-01
• Completion: 2026-12-01
• First posted: 2026-01-14
• Last updated: 2026-01-27

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Switzerland