Prick skin testing

To perform a prick skin test, a tiny amount of solution containing a minuscule amount of a food you may be allergic to is placed on the skin. The skin is then pricked through the drop of extract. If you are allergic to the food allergen in the solution, you will develop itching and a bump surrounded by an area of redness where the skin was pricked. After 15 to 20 minutes, each skin test reaction is measured to document the amount of swelling and redness. A large enough skin reaction is called a positive skin test. This test is useful for identifying which foods may have caused the reaction, but some people can eat the food to which they have tested positive without having an allergic reaction. Your doctor will interpret the results and explain what they mean.

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Prick skin testing generally takes 30 to 40 minutes to complete.

Antihistamines and other medicines can affect skin test results. This section has more on how to prepare for allergy skin testing.