Everything You Need to Know About Skin Prick Testing
A skin prick test (SPT) is one of the most effective ways to diagnose allergies. It is:
✅ Painless – Feels like a light scratch, no bleeding.
✅ Accurate – More reliable than blood tests for allergic sensitization.
✅ Fast – Results are available in just 15 minutes.
How Does a Skin Prick Test Work?
A special allergy pricker is used to lightly scratch the skin’s surface, introducing tiny amounts of allergens. If you’re allergic, a small bump (wheal) and redness (erythema) will appear.
📺 Watch this video to see the test in action: Skin Prick Test: How it is done
Do You Reuse the Skin Prick Test Tool?
Absolutely not! Each patient gets a new, sterile pricker. Used prickers are disposed of immediately following the highest safety standards.
Understanding Your Skin Prick Test Results
After 15 minutes, we measure:
🔹 Wheal size (swelling in mm)
🔹 Erythema size (redness in mm)
At the end of the 15 minutes, we will measure the swelling called wheal and the redness called erythema. You may see the number written as 5/15 which means that the swelling is 5mm in diameter and the redness is 15mm in diameter.
There will be a scoring system next to the measurement from 1+ to the maximum of 4+. A score from 1+ to 4+ helps determine allergy severity. The scoring system is based on the positive control (histamine). If it is the same size as the positive control it will be rated 3+, anything larger and smaller will be scored accordingly.
What Does Histamine Mean?
Histamine is a natural chemical released during an allergic reaction. A positive reaction to histamine does not mean you are allergic to it. Instead, it confirms that your test is valid and that antihistamines are not affecting the results.
Why Didn’t You Tell Me to Stop My Medications Before My Appointment?
We do not ask patients to stop medications before their first visit because:
✔️ A consultation is needed first – Not all patients require a skin test.
✔️ Stopping medication too soon may be unsafe – Your treatment should not be disrupted unnecessarily.
✔️ Not all medications interfere with testing – Some inhalers and asthma meds are safe to continue.
Your allergist will advise you on the right approach based on your medical history.
📖 Learn more: Medications to Stop Before a Skin Prick Test
Book Your Allergy Test Today!
A skin prick test is the best way to pinpoint allergies and create a treatment plan.
📅 Schedule Your Consultation Now
