Prick Test

It is similar to a scratch, but because we lift the skin with the tip of the needle, the hole is deeper and more substances penetrate into the skin, and the results are repeatable.

This method is common and standard nowadays, which can be done after cleaning the skin with alcohol and drying it, and then marking the test areas with a pen that are at least 2 cm apart and performing the prick operation with a pricker.

Or one person can do the piercing first and another person can put drops in the same place.

Every time the piercing is done, it is necessary to completely clean the tip of the needle so that the materials do not mix with each other, and also try not to make the drops so big that they flow and enter the next holes.

Histamine control test should be at least 4-5 cm away from other tests and should be done with a special needle in the arm.

Before performing the skin test, ask about not taking antihistamines for 48 hours and neuroleptics for 4 days.

Ask about the patient’s reaction to the needle or blood, and if they are in a state of fainting or anxiety, talk to the patient and perform the test in a lying position and keep the patient lying down for 5 minutes after the end of the test.

If it responds very strongly and quickly to histamine and reacts to normal tests earlier than 5 minutes or if the reaction is strong, we identify the person as very sensitive.

Individuals who react negatively to the control are identified as having dermograph or very sensitive skin.

The best place to do a prick test:

 A) upper back 

b) lower back 

c) Arm

d) Forearm on the side of the little finger 

e) The forearm is on the side of the big finger and it is also the worst place near the wrist. 

SPT: It is one of the older types (1865) of the skin test, which is the best, most conceptual, but qualitative.

The most common and common skin test is the prick, which has two types

 Single Pricker (a) which can be Single Point or Multiple Point, which better enters an extract into the skin. 

 Multiple Pricker (b) or Multiple Test, which simultaneously injects 6 or 8 different allergen extracts into the skin. In Multiple Test, it is more uniform and deeper.

In addition to being reproducible, it also has high validity, so it is the most practical method of screening. Prick test requires + or – control. Control + or histamine is done to determine the reaction conditions of the individual’s skin, which is detected if he has taken a certain drug or has naturally hard skin that responds. Paying attention to millimeter differences in histamine reaction can grade the sensitivity of a person.

If a person does not respond to histamine, it is necessary to use serology tests for him and not perform a skin test.

Control – the use of normal saline or other diluting substances including phenol and glycerin, which, in addition to identifying people with dermographism, can identify the effect of said substances in causing their own skin reactions.

*Dermographism: a condition in which, due to pulling a hard object on the skin, a prominent and bloody red line is formed in its place. 

1- Take a bath the night before the skin test.

2- If your hands are full of hair, be sure to shave before visiting.

3- Eat a full breakfast on the morning of the skin test.

4- Avoid using different lotions and creams at the test site.

5- One day before the skin test, do not take antihistamines, Montelukast and colds for adults.

6- Do not take Loratadine and Ecolite two days before the skin test.

7- Two to three days before the skin test, do not take nerve agents, doxipene, imipramine and amitriptyline.

8- Do not take hydroxyzine five days before the skin test.

9- Do not use Telfast six days before the skin test.

10- The use of prednisolone, acetaminophen, codeine and inhalation sprays is safe.

Skin tests may cause a little pain and irritation, but people who have done these tests refer to them as non-invasive and tolerable tests. It’s rare for the whole body to react to skin tests, but be sure to tell your doctor if the following happens.

fever

dizziness

Difficulty breathing

Scattered skin rashes or pimples

Swelling of the face, lips and mouth

Difficulty swallowing

Your doctor or nurse will remove all allergen extracts from your skin and clean the markings with alcohol. You may need a mild cortisone cream to relieve itching.

If you have done the patch test, a sterile bandage will be placed on the adhesive on your body, these areas should not get wet, so you should not swim or bathe. When you visit the doctor again after a few days, he will choose the appropriate treatment solutions for you according to the test results.