Allergy Skin Testing

Allergy Skin Testing

Our immune system makes specific IgE-antibody proteins to substances like pollen, animal dander, mold, flying insect venom, food or medications. The allergen works like a key that when it fits in the appropriate lock, it triggers the release of a number of different chemicals that cause allergic symptoms. Allergy skin tests help us find out if you make IgE-antibody proteins specific for individual allergens. The tests are done by two methods: prick and intradermal. Each procedure takes about 20 minutes to complete.