A skin prick test is also known as a scratch or puncture test. If you’re seeking a skin prick test in Singapore now, here’s a resource you will find helpful; https://dbclinic.com.sg/allergy-testing-2/.
This test is minimally invasive and often performed on the forearm for adults or the upper back for children. Conducted with lancets, these tests are not painful, as they barely breach the skin’s surface. They may cause mild, momentary discomfort though.
After cleansing the test site, the nurse marks the skin and applies allergen extracts. Using a lancet for each allergen, they gently prick these extracts into the skin.
To assess skin reaction, two additional substances are scratched onto the skin’s surface: histamine, which typically prompts a response, and glycerin/saline, which usually don’t cause reactions.
After 15 minutes, the nurse inspects for allergic reactions. The reactions manifest as raised, red, itchy bumps (wheals) with results measured and recorded promptly.
What does Skin Prick Test Test for?
A skin prick test in Singapore is one of the most common options for allergy testing in Singapore. Because of that reason many people ask; what exactly does the skin prick test, test for?
Now, the skin prick test is aimed at identifying immediate allergic reactions to various substances. It effectively tests for allergies related to pollen, mold, pet dander, dust mites, and certain foods.
As earlier explained, the test involves exposing the skin to small amounts of these allergens through gentle pricks with lancets to evaluate the body’s response. Observing any raised, red, itchy bumps (wheals) within about 15 minutes helps allergists determine allergic sensitivities. Also, the test includes scratching histamine (which typically causes a skin reaction) and glycerin/saline (usually non-reactive) onto the skin’s surface to gauge individual responses.
How Accurate is the Skin Prick Test?
Skin prick test in Singapore is a valuable tool in allergy diagnosis, but interpretation by a qualified allergist is key for accurate assessment. Usually, it is used as part of a comprehensive evaluation, to enable informed decisions regarding potential allergies and appropriate courses of action.
This is important as the accuracy of a skin prick test in diagnosing allergies is a significant consideration. Now, a positive skin prick test indicates the presence of allergic antibodies (IgE) towards a specific substance. However, it is only reliable around 50% of the time.
On the contrary, a negative result holds higher predictive value, standing at about 95%. A positive skin prick test signifies sensitization, indicating that the body has generated allergic antibodies, but it doesn’t independently confirm an allergy diagnosis.
Additional factors like medical history, physical examination, and specialized interpretation by an allergist are crucial for a comprehensive diagnosis. In cases of severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis, a positive skin prick test can support the diagnosis of a genuine food allergy.
However, a negative SPT is highly reliable for ruling out a food allergy in most instances. To clarify results, the allergist helping you with the skin prick test in Singapore might order complementary blood tests for confirmation.
And, How Safe is the Skin Prick Test?
Skin prick tests involve introducing allergens into the system. Because of this, many people who visit our facility for skin prick test in Singapore frequently ask; how safe is the skin prick test?
Now, the skin prick test is generally safe, with wheals and flares typically fading within 30 minutes to a few hours. While these tests are well-tolerated, in rare instances, they might trigger more severe allergic reactions.
That said, it’s crucial that skin testing occurs under the supervision of an allergist in a controlled environment equipped to manage any adverse reactions that may arise. The controlled setting of an allergist’s office ensures immediate medical attention if a severe allergic response occurs, although such instances are infrequent.
What Precautions should be taken during a Skin Prick Test?
Preparing adequately for a skin prick test in Singapore is crucial to ensure accurate results and a smooth testing experience. It’s essential to follow specific precautions before the test to obtain reliable outcomes and minimize any potential interference. Here is a summary of the key precautions to take during a skin prick test;
- Abstaining from certain medications containing antihistamines. This is vital as these drugs can affect the accuracy of allergy skin testing. Nasal sprays like Flonase®, Nasacort®, Rhinocort®, and Nasonex®, asthma medications, oral steroids (such as prednisone, prednisolone), and antibiotics are generally safe to continue. However, medications containing antihistamines should be stopped before the test.
- Stopping oral antihistamines at least 5 days before the test. This is recommended to ensure they don’t hinder the skin’s reaction during testing. Importantly, ceasing the use of eye drops with antihistamines for 2 days prior and nasal sprays with antihistamines for 5 days before the test is crucial. For individuals using antihistamines for heartburn or reflux (GERD), discontinuing these medications 2 days before the appointment is advised.
- Refraining from applying skin lotions, creams, or ointments to the back for a full 5 days before the scheduled visit. While these products can be used on other areas of the body, applying them on the back could potentially affect the skin’s response during the test.
Follow the precautions by your allergist diligently to ensure that the skin prick test results are as accurate as possible. A careful preparation will help you and the allergist to accurately identify allergic reactions to specific substances and allow for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
And, if the test is for a child, see to it that they are not on medications that contain antihistamines before the test. Certain medications, like the ones we already explained above, are safe to continue, but still, it is essential to consult with your allergist to verify medication guidelines for children undergoing skin prick testing.
Closing Thoughts
The function of a skin prick test lies in its ability to reveal the presence of specific IgE antibodies in response to allergens. The introduction of minute amounts of allergens into the skin’s upper layers prompts interaction with specific IgE attached to mast cells in the skin.
This interaction helps allergists identify potential allergic reactions and helps in the diagnosis of allergies related to various substances like proteins and peptides. So used correctly, the test can offer crucial insights into individual sensitivities. To learn more about skin prick test in Singapore or schedule an appointment with an allergist for skin prick test in Singapore, call or visit Dr. Ben Medical at;
Dr Ben Medical @ Raffles / Tanjong Pagar
SBF Center Medical Suites
160 Robinson Road
#03-09 SBF Center Medical Suites
Singapore 068914
