Often, the symptoms of allergies develop gradually over a period of time. Allergy sufferers may become so accustomed to chronic symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, or wheezing, that they do not consider their symptoms to be unusual. Yet, with the help of an allergist, these symptoms can usually be prevented or controlled and quality of life greatly improved. The skin test is a method of measuring the child's level of IgE antibodies to specific allergens. Using diluted solutions of specific allergens, the physician either injects your child with the solutions, or applies them to a small scratch or puncture.
Reaction appears as a small red area on the skin.
A reaction to the skin test does not always mean that your child is allergic to the allergen that caused the reaction. Skin tests provide faster results and are more specific than blood tests. The blood test is used to measure the child's level of IgE antibodies to specific allergens. Copyright 2000 Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. All rights reserved.