One of the most common methods of allergy testing is the scratch,
skin, or prick test. The test involves placing a small amount of
the suspected allergy-causing substance (allergen) on the skin
(usually the forearm, upper arm, or the back), and then scratching
or pricking the skin so that the allergen is introduced under the
skin surface. The skin is observed closely for signs of a reaction,
which usually includes swelling and redness of the site. With this
test, several suspected allergens can be tested at the same time.
Results are usually obtained within about 20 minutes.
Review Date: 06/01/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
