Allergy Skin Tests

Allergy Skin Tests

Allergy Skin Tests are done to confirm if you are allergic to something you breathe, eat, come in contact with or are  injected with (examples Penicillin, bee sting). The incriminated or suspected item (called Allergen) is introduced into your skin either by  a Pin Prick or a superficial injection or prolonged contact; and your skin response is recorded at appropriate interval.

Prick Tests are done for airborne, food or injected allergens and pick up the more severe allergies. Intradermal injections are more sensitive and are done if allergy is suspected based on history and the Prick Test is negative. Contact Skin Test, more correctly called Patch Test is done to diagnose Skin Contact Allergy, such as to Metals, Cosmetics, Haircare Products and Industrial Chemicals.

All of the above modes of skin tests are available at Asthma & Allergy Centers in Charleston WV, Beckley WV, Logan WV, Ripley WV, Parkersburg WV.

More details about all of these tests can be found at the ACAAI and AAAAI websites.