Skin Prick Test
From Health Facts
Latest Edit: Iva Lloyd, ND 2013-03-09 (EDT)
Skin tests (either intradermal or skin prick) are widely used to determine food allergies. During a skin test (ST), a small amount of allergen is injected under the skin, and then the signs of a reaction (e.g. hives, swelling, redness) at the site of injection is monitored.[1]
Advantage
- Simple, rapid results, low cost
- Ability to test multiple allergens at one time.
- High degree of sensitivity
Disadvantage
- Skin prick test is contraindicated in pregnancy, generalized skin disease and with current use of antihistamines.
- The sensitivity and specificity statistics for ST can vary significantly depending on the allergen extract used, site of testing (forearm, upper back, lower back).[2]