Skin prick testing is the most effective diagnostic test to detect IgE mediated type I allergic reactions like allergic rhinitis, atopic asthma, acute urticaria etc.
Type I hypersensitivity reactions are characterized by wheal and flare reactions to skin testing with common environmental antigens, usually with appropriate clinical history
Skin test reactivity depends on at least three separate factors:
The advantages of skin prick testing advantages are that it is a simple, quick (providing results within 15-20 minutes) and inexpensive form of testing.
The skin prick test introduces such a tiny amount of allergen into the skin that testing is quite safe
Skin testing is usually carried out on the inner forearm, but if the patient has bad eczema the test can be performed on the back
If the test is positive, the skin becomes itchy within a few minutes and then becomes red and swollen with a "wheal" in the centre
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