We offer skin prick allergy testing to help diagnose allergic reactions to common airborne and food allergens.
At The London Skin and Hair Clinic, skin prick testing is used to identify allergic responses to substances that may be inhaled or eaten, helping patients understand the triggers behind allergy symptoms.
A skin prick test is a quick, painless and effective way of testing for common allergens.
Quick, painless and effective way of testing for common allergens
Most patients tolerate the procedure very well.
Allergens can include pollen, foods, animals, house dust mites and mould
You should not take any antihistamines or cough medicines for at least 3 days before the test
A skin prick test assists in the diagnosis of allergies by identifying substances that trigger an allergic reaction.
During the test a drop of allergen extract is placed on the surface of the skin and the dermatology assistant gently pricks through the drop to allow a small amount of the allergen to enter the skin.
If you are allergic to the substance, a small itchy swelling and redness will usually appear within 10–15 minutes.
Skin prick allergy tests are commonly used to investigate allergies to foods, pollens, dust mites, moulds and animal dander.
The Dermatology Assistant will rest your arm near the edge of a table. Using a skin marking pen, they will mark and code the inside of the forearm, either onto some tape or directly onto the skin.
The Dermatology Assistant will then apply one drop of each allergen solution on to the skin next to its code number.
They will then prick your skin through the drop using a special lancet. A constant pressure will be kept for 1 second then the lancet will be removed. Most people do not feel anything other than a slight pressure.
Your arm will then be dried.
You will then be instructed to wait for 15 – 20 minutes, however the reactions will be observed at regular intervals to see how they progress.
After the time has elapsed, the Dermatology Assistant will read the reactions. They may draw around any reactions with a special pen and measure them.
Skin prick tests are performed at our dermatology clinic in London following consultation to determine which allergens should be tested.
Any reactions disappear after 2 to 3 hours. The Dermatology Assistant may apply cream to stop any itchiness caused by the reactions.
You may resume your medication unless the doctor advises otherwise.
Most patients tolerate the procedure very well. The main side effect is the redness of the forearm and slight skin irritation. A severe allergic (anaphylactic) reaction is very rare.
The test sites disappear in as little as a few minutes or as long as 12 hours after the test is complete.
You may take an allergy medication to help with any discomfort.
For severe allergic responses it may take 2 to 3 days for the bumps to disappear, but they should not hurt.
You should call the Clinic if you notice any new bumps after your allergy test or any bumps that get worse or do not fully go away after 2 to 3 days.
Your clinician will review the results and advise how to avoid allergens that may be contributing to your symptoms.
The cost of Skin Prick Allergy Testing starts from £200.
A Dermatology consultation is required prior to testing, and a follow-up consultation is required after testing.
The cost of a skin prick test will depend on the number of allergens tested and the consultation required.
Prior to the test, you should not take any antihistamines or cough medicines for at least 3 days before attending for your skin prick test.
This is because these medicines interfere with the body’s reaction to the skin prick test and could suppress your test results.
