Skin prick testing is one of the allergy tests offered at Columbia Allergy. Skin prick testing can be useful in identifying potential food and environmental allergies. This test uses a pointed plastic device to apply potential allergens in a liquid form to the skin, usually on your back. After the allergens are applied, the patient will wait for 20 minutes to see if a reaction occurs to the allergens applied to your skin. In addition to determining which foods or environmental factors cause a reaction, this test can also help to identify the severity of these allergies based on the size of the reaction.
If an allergy is present, you may develop an itchy, red bump at the location of the prick site on your skin. The itching will often resolve in several hours and can be managed with an antihistamine or topical medication if uncomfortable. The test results will be used by the specialists at Columbia Allergy to develop a customized allergy treatment plan. If you are interested in identifying your allergies through skin prick testing, call your nearest location or schedule an appointment online today!