Skin tests for immediate hypersensitivity

Abstract

Skin testing for immediate hypersensitivity serves as a very useful tool in the diagnostic workup of a suspected allergic patient, but it is mandatory to bear in mind that the tests measure sensitization and not clinical disease. Most widely used are skin prick tests (SPT), whereas intracutaneous (intradermal) testing should be restricted to cases where skin prick testing is negative and only performed with sterile material. Any soluble allergen can be used for SPT, as long as is it noninfectious or nontoxic, but care should be taken to avoid false positive or negative reactions. Other skin tests like skin application food test, open application test, or scratch-patch test should not be used routinely outside specialized settings. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.