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Methods (In Vivo): Skin Test (Intradermal, Puncture)

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  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Medical Immunology

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Synonyms

Allergy skin test; Immediate hypersensitivity skin test

Definition

Allergy skin tests are a method to evaluate the presence of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to proteins termed allergens (pollens, food, drugs, etc.) which involves the introduction of the potential allergen into the skin and demonstration of a positive reaction (wheal and flare).

Introduction

Skin tests are used to confirm sensitivity to specific protein substances called allergens. Features of skin tests are that they are technically simple, can be performed rapidly, are inexpensive, and have a high degree of analytical sensitivity (Demoly et al. 2009). Under certain conditions, false positives and negatives can occur.

Skin testing can be safely performed in all age groups by trained allergists. They serve as a useful diagnostic tool for establishing allergens that may be involved in chronic allergic rhinitis or hay fever, severe asthma, or suspected allergy to a food, drugs, or stinging insects. It can be used...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5501 Hopkins Bayview Circle, Room 2B. 71B, Baltimore, MD, 21224-6281, USA

    Eric T. Oliver & Sarbjit S. Saini

Authors
  1. Eric T. Oliver
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  2. Sarbjit S. Saini
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eric T. Oliver .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

    Ian R. Mackay

  2. Center for Autoimmune Disease Research, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Noel R. Rose

  3. Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA

    Dennis K. Ledford

  4. Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA

    Richard F. Lockey

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Oliver, E.T., Saini, S.S. (2014). Methods (In Vivo): Skin Test (Intradermal, Puncture). In: Mackay, I.R., Rose, N.R., Ledford, D.K., Lockey, R.F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Medical Immunology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9194-1_306

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9194-1_306

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-9193-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-9194-1

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