Skin Prick Testing for an Accurate Allergy Diagnosis
If you have itchy eyes, nasal congestion, hives or other common symptoms, allergy testing with an Atlanta allergist can identify triggers and inform treatment. There are three types of skin testing methods to determine if you are allergic to a certain substance. The most common of the three is a “Skin Prick Test”. This test can also be referred to as a skin scratch or puncture test.
What Is a Skin Prick Test?
The skin prick or skin scratch test is a method used to check for immediate allergic reactions to as many as 40 different allergens at once. A skin prick test is administered by an allergy doctor to identify allergies to pollen, mold, pet dander, dust mites, and food allergies. The tests are done in 1 of 2 places, which are the forearm and upper back. The forearm is used mostly for adults, while upper back tests are performed on children.
These tests are not painful, as they use tiny needles that barely penetrate the surface of the skin; in most cases, you won’t even bleed. Due to the possibility of a reaction, there could be mild to moderate discomfort.
How Is a Skin Prick Test Done?
The first step to performing a skin prick test is to make sure the area is clean, by using alcohol swabs. Once the test site has been cleaned, a nurse will draw small marks on your skin’s surface, then will apply a drop of allergen extract next to each mark. Using a “Lancet,” the nurse will then prick the extract into the skin’s surface, using a new lancet each time to make sure the allergens are not mixed.
For better and faster results, two additional substances will be used in conjunction with the allergens. These 2 substances are a histamine and glycerin (saline).
A histamine is used to help cause a skin response to the allergens. If a person doesn’t react to a histamine, then there is a possibility that your allergy skin test may not reveal an allergy, even if you have one.
Glycerin is a type of saline used to test if you have sensitive skin. Most people will not react to glycerin or saline.
How Long Does a Skin Prick Test Take?
A skin prick test takes 10 minutes to administer and then another 15 minutes of wait time for a reaction to occur. A nurse will observe your skin and watch for signs of a reaction.
How Will I Know If I’m Allergic to an Allergen?
If you are having an allergic reaction to one of the allergen extracts, you will develop raised, itchy, red bumps that may look like a mosquito bite. To see how allergic you are to the substance, the provider will then measure the size of the bump, so the allergy doctor can determine the severity of the allergy.
Is Skin Prick Allergy Testing Accurate?
Skin prick allergy testing is one of the most effective diagnostic approaches available to an allergist. The test identifies whether a person responds positively or negatively to various environmental and food allergens, enabling a rapid diagnosis. However, as with other skin allergy test options, these results need careful review and interpretation from an experienced allergist.
According to Food Allergy Research and Education, skin prick allergy testing rarely produces false negatives. A false negative means the test shows a negative result, yet the person is actually allergic to the substance. And while testing could produce a false positive, an allergist uses additional information (and potentially other testing options) to confirm the results.
How We Keep You Safe During Skin Prick Allergy Testing
Skin prick testing is a safe procedure, with severe reactions only occurring very rarely. A study in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found the rate of systemic reactions to skin prick testing was just 77 out of every 100,000 patients tested. To maintain high levels of safety, allergists review a patient’s medical history and medication use to identify risk factors. In the unlikely event of anaphylaxis, providers can administer emergency medication at the earliest sign of a health risk. This approach to safety allows patients to receive the best allergy care without significant risks to their health.
The Main Benefits of Skin Prick Testing
Skin prick testing is the most common testing approach used by allergists for patients with a suspected allergy. Here are some of the key reasons why allergists use skin prick allergy testing to diagnose allergies.
- Tests are minimally invasive, requiring only a prick to the skin’s surface.
- Test results are returned quickly, within 15–20 minutes in most cases.
- The skin prick testing procedure is suitable for adults and children.
- Allergists can test for multiple allergens at the same time.
- Skin prick testing provides accurate results to support treatment.
Skin prick testing is the preferred method for diagnosing environmental, food and insect venom allergies. For suspected contact dermatitis, we use patch testing to detect skin allergies. If you are experiencing allergy symptoms, visit one of our allergy treatment centers to identify the specific triggers affecting your health and well-being.
Common Skin Prick Allergy Testing Questions
Who is a good candidate for skin prick allergy testing?
Good candidates for skin prick allergy testing are people who experience concerning symptoms after exposure to pollen, mold, dust, pet dander, insect stings and various foods. The test is suitable for most people, but alternative approaches are used for those with skin conditions or medication requirements.
What should I do if a skin prick allergy test is positive?
If a skin prick allergy test is positive, your allergist will advise on the best available management and treatment approaches. For some patients, avoiding exposure to allergens is necessary, while others could benefit from allergy desensitization.
Why is skin prick testing the most common allergy diagnosis method?
Skin prick testing is the most common allergy diagnosis method because it is quick, reliable – and can test for multiple allergens simultaneously. The entire process usually takes less than 30 minutes and delivers accurate results.
Contact Us for Skin Prick Allergy Testing in the Atlanta Area
To learn more about our allergy testing and/or to schedule an appointment, contact Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center at one of our locations in and around the Atlanta area. You can request an appointment online or call us at (678) 668-4688.
