SKIN PRICK TEST


Skin prick test is an important part of the diagnosis of an allergy. This simple, quick and relatively pain-free test is usually the first test recommended when an allergy is suspected.

It could bring useful information in most forms of allergy*, and is appropriate for inhaled and ingested allergies.

The skin prick test introduces a tiny amount of suspected allergen into the arm skin that testing is quite safe, and almost any age group can be tested. The reaction caused by the introduction of the test could be read after 20 minutes. A positive reaction usually occurs as wheal or erythema. The size of the wheal may vavy with the average being 3 - 5 mm in diameter in people, and it clears for most people within an hour. The result tells that a level of anti-bodies are /or are not present which may be causing the symptoms.

A negative response to skin prick test usually indicates that the patient is not sensitive to that allergen. Negative reactions may also occur once the patient is taking anti-histamines or medication that block the effect of histamine.



The allergens it can test include:

Inhaled allergen:
Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dog epithelium, Cat dander, Cockroach, Japanese hop pollen, Mugwort, Zea mays pollen, Feather, Batt, Cigarette, Microzyme, Penicillin.

Food:
Beef, Shrimp, Crab, Hairtail, Finles eel, Egg yolk, Egg white, Milk, Soybean, Peanut, Aubergine, Tomato, Apple, Mango, Strawberry, Peach, Banana.

Others:
Negative control, Positive control.