Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Introduction
- Before commencing the challenge, your child should be well. This means their eczema, asthma or hay fever is well controlled, the do not have a cough, cold, diarrhoea or vomiting. If they have started a new medication, wait for two weeks to ensure they tolerate it before introducing wheat.
- Do not give your child any antihistamines before or during the challenge days unless a reaction occurs, as these may hide or delay reactions. If your child has used their reliever inhaler such as salbutamol or terbutaline in the last 3 days, delay the introduction. Continue to give your child any other medication that they usually take
- Do not to introduce any other new foods while introducing wheat into the diet
- Introduce one of the foods as outlined in table opposite. Try to give the recommended challenge food in one go rather than spreading it out over the day
- Choose a time of day when you are able to monitor/observe your child closely. If an immediate reaction occurs stop the challenge and seek advice. Delayed symptoms may occur up to 3 days after the challenge, stop the challenge at the stage which is tolerated and try again in 4-6 weeks’ time. Keep the tolerated stages in the diet and give regularly.
Examples of suitable foods to use for the wheat challenge are: Weetabix, cooked pasta, bread/toast, bread stick, cream cracker, digestive biscuit, rich tea biscuit, matzo cracker, semolina, couscous
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Stage 1-6 of a Wheat Challenge Take 3-7 days for each step |
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Stage 1 |
Give your child a 1/4 tsp of the food |
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Stage 2 |
Give your child a 1/2 teaspoon of the food |
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Stage 3 |
Increase to 1teaspoon of the food |
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Stage 4 |
Increase to 2 teaspoons of the food |
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Stage 5 |
Increase to 1 tablespoon of the food |
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Stage 6 |
Double the dose until an age-appropriate portion of the food has been given. If there is no reaction, your child should be able to eat wheat freely |
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Dietetics service.
About this information
Service:
Dietetics
Reference:
DT/129
Approval date:
1 June 2026
Review date:
1 June 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.