Allergy Skin Testing

Allergy Treatments

Prick Skin Test

Prick skin testing and intradermal skin testing are relatively fast methods of identifying allergies.  The results of these types of testing are available within 15 to 20 minutes after the tests are applied.  Both prick skin testing and intradermal skin testing are commonly used to determine what you are allergic to, as well as the severity of the allergy. 

Preparing For the Test

Please discuss with your doctor any medications you should discontinue prior to your allergy testing and other test preparation requirements. Antihistamines may affect the results of these tests and need to be stopped before testing is performed. Some over-the-counter cold and flu medications contain an antihistamine, so be sure to read labels carefully. If you are not sure if the medicine you are taking has an antihistamine, ask your doctor.

Continue to take all your other medicine as you usually do. Inhaled, nasal and oral glucocorticoids (steroids) will not interfere with the results of your skin testing.

Do not apply lotions or creams to your back the day of your appointment.

During The Test

When prick skin testing is done, a small amount of each thing you may be allergic to (allergen) is placed on the skin (usually your back). The skin is then pricked with a small plastic pick. If you are allergic to an allergen, you will get a bump and redness where the skin is pricked. After a short time (15 minutes), each skin test reaction is measured for swelling and redness. A positive reaction indicates that you may be allergic to that allergen. Your doctor will compare your prick skin test results with your history of symptoms.

Length Of The Test

Allergy skin testing may take up to 2 hours to complete.

Intradermal Skin Testing

When intradermal skin testing is done, a small amount of each thing you may be allergic to (allergen) is injected under the skin. Like prick skin testing, if you are allergic to an allergen, you will get a bump and redness where the allergen was injected. After a short time, each skin test reaction is measured. A positive reaction indicates that you may be allergic to that allergen. Your doctor will compare your intradermal skin test results with your history of symptoms.  A combination of the prick and intradermal testing can give an idea of the relative severity of the allergy.

Allergy Patch Testing

Patch skin testing can be used to find out if a rash is from direct contact with an allergen. Generally, the nature of this type of reaction is slower to develop which is why patch testing requires 3 sequential visits for completion.

Preparing For The Test

Please discuss with your doctor any medications you should discontinue prior to your allergy testing and other test preparation requirements. Antihistamines may affect the results of these tests and need to be stopped before testing is performed. Some over-the-counter cold and flu medications contain an antihistamine, so be sure to read labels carefully. If you are not sure if the medicine you are taking has an antihistamine, ask your doctor.

During The Test

You will visit us a number of times during patch testing. The patch tests are placed during the first visit. Patch tests include two or three rectangular panels (approximately the size of a 3” x 5” card) with small amounts of pre-applied allergens. Sometimes individual patch tests may be applied. The tests are placed on the skin, typically the back. The panels also have acrylic tape as part of the panel. This will help the panels adhere to the skin for two days. After two days the panels are removed and the skin reactions are measured. You will come back again one or two days after the panels are removed to measure the skin reactions again. We will provide you with information regarding the results at the final visit.

Venom Skin Testing

Skin testing for venom allergy (bees, wasps, hornets and fire ants) involves both prick skin testing and intradermal testing. There are a series of skin tests performed with venom testing so the duration of testing will be a little longer than with other types of allergy skin tests.

Preparing For The Test

Please discuss with your doctor any medications you should discontinue prior to your allergy testing and other test preparation requirements. Antihistamines may affect the results of these tests and need to be stopped before testing is performed. Some over-the-counter cold and flu medications contain an antihistamine, so be sure to read labels carefully. If you are not sure if the medicine you are taking has an antihistamine, ask your doctor.

During The Test

Testing for venom allergy after a “bee sting” involves both prick and intradermal skin tests. If indicated, fire ant allergy can also be tested in this manner. Testing to the following venoms is performed in all patients reporting a possible bee sting allergy: honeybee, white-faced hornet, yellow-faced hornet, yellow jacket and wasp. First, prick skin testing is performed to each of the venoms then, intradermal testing is performed. If there is a positive reaction to any venom, then testing for that venom stops. A positive reaction indicates that you may be allergic to that venom. Your doctor will compare your skin test results with your history of symptoms. We may also order blood testing to further investigate for venom allergy.

Length Of The Test

Venom allergy skin testing usually takes 90 minutes to complete.

Penicillin Skin Testing

Skin testing for penicillin allergy involves both prick skin testing and intradermal testing. There are a series of skin tests performed with penicillin testing so the duration of testing will be a little longer than with other types of allergy skin tests.

Preparing For The Test

Please discuss with your doctor any medications you should discontinue prior to your allergy testing and other test preparation requirements. Antihistamines may affect the results of these tests and need to be stopped before testing is performed. Some over-the-counter cold and flu medications contain an antihistamine, so be sure to read labels carefully. If you are not sure if the medicine you are taking has an antihistamine, ask your doctor.

During The Test

Testing for penicillin allergy starts with prick skin testing to penicillin and a related medication called PrePen. After prick skin testing, intradermal testing is then performed with each of the substances. If there is a positive reaction to any of the tests, testing stops. A positive reaction indicates that you are most likely allergic to penicillin. If all skin testing is negative, in the final step of your evaluation you will be given amoxicillin in the clinic and observed closely for any reaction.

Length Of The Test

Penicillin allergy testing usually takes about 90 minutes to complete.

Dr. Meyer & the staff at ENT Specialists in Appleton are wonderful! They eased my daughter's anxiety while having tests done. Very friendly and knowledgeable.

— Kelly F.

Very good experience with a very professional, detailed and caring practice. They took the time to diagnose the issue, and took no time at all to start treatment. I would recommend this practice to everyone!

— Heather S.

Dr. Keller was thorough and listened to my concerns, he did a complete exam and offered options to procced with types of treatment. I was pleased with the appointment. Again he listened to what I was saying, some doctors don't have that skill.

— Warren D.

Great service! The audiologists in Neenah and Oshkosh truly care about a client with hearing loss. They take the time to provide individualized hearing loss education and also provide excellent follow up support after selling hearing aids. Highly recommended!

— Matt B.

Great staff. The location is easy to find. Very accommodating and well organized. Would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Mjaanes and his staff.

— Douglas K.

Menu

Resources

Our Locations

Accessibility Menu