Skin Prick Test Singapore
An allergic reaction can manifest as a broad spectrum of medical conditions ranging from a mild rash to severe swelling or even an anaphylactic shock. If you suffer from an acute reaction after coming into contact with a particular substance, it is likely you have an IgE-mediated allergy.
It only takes 20 minutes to determine if one suffers from an IgE-mediated allergy by performing a skin prick test.
What is a skin prick test?
Otherwise known as a scratch or puncture test, a skin prick test (SPT), is the gold standard for allergy testing. It is carried out to analyze if one or more of the allergy-causing substances used will cause an immediate allergic reaction. Supplemented with your medical history details, a skin prick test may be able to ascertain if a particular substance you inhale, touch or eat is causing and adverse reaction.
How is a skin prick test carried out?
A skin prick allergen test involves placing a drop of solution containing a food allergen on your forearm or back. If you have an allergy to said substance, a reddish, elevated bump will appear. There may also be some itching.
- Our doctor will gently prick or scratch the surface of your skin with a fine needle to allow the solution to enter just below the surface of the skin.
- This scratching of the surface of the skin feels similar to a fingernail scratch and is not painful. There will also be no excessive bleeding.
What results can I expect?
Results of the skin prick test should start to show on your skin after 15 to 20 minutes.
Your doctor will observe for any swelling, redness or other signs of a reaction on the skin. If you are allergic to any of the solutions, your skin will respond by developing a mosquito-like bump known as a wheal. Your skin will be raised, red and even itchy. A measurement of the bump size is then recorded.
If your skin does not respond to any of the solutions, it is considered a negative test result and means you are not allergic to a particular allergen.
What allergies can a skin prick test detect?
A skin prick test detects common harmless substances that cause allergies known as allergens.
Common allergens are:
- Certain foods (such as nuts and shellfish)
- Certain medicines (such as penicillin)
- Dust
- Mould
- Pollen
- Animal dander
Frequently Asked Questions
A skin prick test is minimally invasive and should cause little to no pain. The lancets used barely penetrate the surface of the skin and no bleeding happens. You may feel mild discomfort that should go away in due time like a normal scratch would.
It will take 10 minutes to perform the test and results should be visible after 15 to 20 minutes.
Opting for a skin prick test means that it is more likely to cause a reaction on the skin. Your skin will develop raised bumps known as a wheal. This may cause some discomfort or, in severe cases, will require immediate medical attention. It is important to carry out a skin prick test with a professional.
A skin prick test is considered a safe procedure for both adults and children. It is widely used to determine an immediate IgE-mediated allergic reaction. It is affordable and can be performed in under an hour from consultation to results.
A skin prick test will show results within 15 to 20 minutes. A blood test will require more wait time to receive your results. Skin prick tests are also generally more sensitive.
You are allowed and encouraged to eat something before coming in for your skin prick test. You are advised to avoid eating any foods you have had a reaction to in the past.
A skin prick test rarely produces false-negative results. A negative result simply means that you are not allergic to any of the allergens tested on your skin. In some cases, patients can receive a false-positive result whereby it may seem they are allergic to the allergen but they actually are not.
A skin prick test can be done on children older than 6 months old.
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