Skin testing

Abstract

To provide the reader with a relevant review of the literature regarding skin testing in the allergist's office. A PubMed search for the years 1970 through 2005 was performed using the following keywords: allergy skin testing, skin prick testing, and intradermal skin testing. Articles that highlighted aspects of sentinel to clinical allergists' use of skin testing in the office, such as methods of skin testing, intradermal vs skin prick testing, skin test devices, and methods of expressing skin test results, were selected for further review. Skin testing remains the central test to confirm an allergic response. It is minimally invasive and when performed correctly has good reproducibility. Results are easily quantifiable and correlate well with end organ challenge. It is imperative however that technicians who perform the skin tests and the clinicians who order or interpret these tests understand the characteristics of the specific tests they are administering. It is also important that the clinician express skin test results in a manner that allows easy interpretation by another physician. Allergists must consider controllable variables that affect skin test results and their interpretation. When not considered, they may be responsible for some of the inaccuracies associated with allergy skin testing.