How to Take a Skin Allergy Test

A skin allergy test is a quick and efficient way to determine what is causing your allergies. Once you know what you are allergic to, you can better treat your allergies and improve your quality of life. Suffering with allergies is largely unnecessary when you can take a skin allergy test and start the process of becoming allergy-free.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Allergist/immunologist

1. Go to an allergist/immunologist to get your skin allergy test. These doctors are specialists in working with allergies of all types and are the best qualified to test your allergies.

2. Talk to your doctor about the specific allergy symptoms you are experiencing. Your symptoms will tell the doctor what allergens to suspect. Skin tests are indicated for diagnosing respiratory allergies, insect bite allergies and penicillin allergies.

3. Take the skin allergy test. The test is usually performed on your arms or back. The allergen(s) are concentrated into an extract form and are introduced to the body through pricked or scratched skin.

4. Wait 15 to 20 minutes for the test results to appear on your skin. Positive reactions present the form of a small hive where the allergen was introduced. Negative results cause no reaction.

5. Get an intradermal test in which the allergen is injected under the skin on your arm to determine if you might be allergic to insect venom or penicillin. Regular skin tests can also be used, but some doctors prefer these tests because they are more sensitive.

6. Take a patch skin test to identify contact dermatitis allergies. If your symptoms are skin related, a patch test is often indicated. Allergies to metals, latex, fragrances, hair dyes and other substances are typically tested this way.

7. Talk to your doctor about the results of your skin tests and how to proceed with treatment.

Tips & Warnings

• To control the skin test, histamine and glycerin or saline are used. Your skin should respond to the histamine and should not respond to the glycerin or saline. This will show the doctor that your skin is reacting normally. If not, you may need a different type of allergy test.
• Prick tests are the widely accepted standard for skin tests, though a scratch test may be used instead. Scratch tests involve scratching the skin's surface and then putting a small amount of allergen on the wound.
• Skin allergy tests should almost never be used to diagnose severe food allergies because food allergies have the potential to produce dangerous reactions like anaphylactic shock.
• Don't be surprised if a nurse performs your skin test. This is common. The doctor, however, will interpret the results and discuss treatment options.
• Skin tests can take a long time to perform. Depending on your symptoms, you could be tested for as many as 40 different substances at one time.
• Don't take antihistamine pills for a few days prior to your skin allergy test. They affect your skin responses.

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