Healing Aids... - Testing - Scratch Testing / Skin-Prick Test / Skin-Scratch Test |
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Page 4 of 11 This widely used form of testing involves scratching or pricking the skin with a needle containing a food, inhalant, or chemical of interest. The skin is then examined for a welt shortly after, as the allergen reacts to IgE-sensitized skin cells. If a reaction is present, it is concluded that an allergy may exist. This form of testing is subject to a high level of inaccurate results. Tests may show a positive result when no true allergy exists (a false positive) while other tests show a negative result when an allergy does exist (a false negative). In addition, scratch testing typically only tests for allergen-specific IgE, where a reaction occurs in only ten to fifteen percent of all food allergies. |
