A skin prick test can be done to see if you have allergies.
Who can be tested?
An allergy skin prick test can be done on all children. It is well tolerated, easy and quick to perform. It can even be done on very small babies as young as a few months old.
You should not take antihistamines for 72 hours before the test is done, as they can interfere with the test results.
What will be tested for?
An allergen is a substance that causes an allergic reaction. Allergens that worsen lung diseases are typically aero-allergens like grass, pollen or mould spores. The most common allergens tested for are cat, dog, house dust mites, corn, cockroach, feathers, trees and grass.
How is the test done?
Unlike to the name of the test, there is no prick, only a small scratch. A drop of each allergen solution is placed on the skin, usually on the forearm or back. The skin beneath each drop is scratched with a needle. This is usually painless as just the surface of the skin is pricked, not deep enough to bleed. It is just deep enough to let a tiny amount of liquid enter the skin.
The skin is then observed for 20 minutes for a raised swelling, called a wheal.
When will I get the results?
A small allergic reaction, like a mosquito bite, forms at the site of the scratch, within a few minutes. The size of the wheal is interpreted by the doctor. The results will be given to you at the time of your consultation.
