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Skin prick test
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The skin prick test is an allergy test done on the skin. What it measures is an immediate response: the response of mast cells, cells coated with immunoglobulin E, the antibody behind allergies.
The procedure is simple. Drops of solution containing the allergens to be tested are placed on the skin, spaced apart from one another, along with two controls, a positive one and a negative one. A device then pricks the skin so the substance enters just below the outer layer of the epidermis. A tiny, controlled reaction is triggered to see whether the body recognizes that substance.
If the person is sensitized to that allergen, the mast cells in their skin degranulate and a wheal, a raised bump, appears at that spot. The result for each allergen is read at 15 to 20 minutes.
In brief
The skin prick test measures the immediate, immunoglobulin E mediated mast cell response to an allergen introduced into the skin.
A tiny, controlled reaction is triggered to see whether the body recognizes that substance.
Allergen solutions are placed on the skin along with a positive and a negative control, and a device pricks the skin to introduce them just below the outer layer of the epidermis.
In a sensitized person, mast cells degranulate and a wheal appears, which is read at 15 to 20 minutes.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingAllergy Testing, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated