Skin prick Test (SPT)

By Dr. Ankit Parakh in Centre For Child Health

Nov 14 , 2022 | 2 min read

Skin Prick Test (SPT): An accurate method to diagnose the cause of allergy?

Skin prick testing (SPT) or skin allergy testing is an accurate method to identify a child's allergies. Let’s understand what this test involves and how it is performed.

Which children require a Skin prick test (SPT)?

Children with asthma, nasal allergy or allergic rhinitis and food allergy need a Skin prick testing (SPT) to identify to which substance your child may be allergic to (also called allergen).

What substances can be tested?

The commonsubstance for which Skin prick test (SPT) is performed is aeroallergens. These are the allergens which are present in the child’s environment (home, school or outside environment). The common indoor allergens are dust mites, molds, cockroaches, cat and dog dander. The most common outdoor allergens are pollen from trees, weeds and grasses. Skin prick test (SPT) can be done for a wide range of foods such as milk, egg, soya, nuts (peanuts, cashewnut, walnut, almond, pistachio), fish and seafood.

How is Skin prick test (SPT) or Skin Allergy Testing done?

Skin prick test (SPT) is usually performed on the forearm or sometimes the upper back. A small drop of each allergen is placed on the child’s skin. The skin under the drop of allergen is then scratched with a lancet (as shown in the image). This would let the allergen under the skin surface. The drop of the allergen is then wiped off. Many allergens can be tested simultaneously. The same process is repeated. After 15 minutes of the Skin prick test (SPT), reaction is checked.

There are two types of reactions:

Positive Reaction

The skin under the drop of allergen develops an itchy raised swelling called ‘wheal’. This is surrounded by a red area called a ‘flare’. This is called the “wheal and flare” reaction. The reaction peaks at 15 to 20 minutes and then fades out. A positive reaction means that the child is likely to be allergic to the particular allergen.

Negative Reaction

The skin under the drop of allergen does not develop a significant wheal and flare reaction. A negative reaction means that the child is not likely to be allergic to the particular allergen.

When are the results of the Skin prick test (SPT) available?

The results of the Skin prick test (SPT) are available in 15 min.

Does the Skin prick test (SPT) hurt?

Skin prick tests (SPT) usually do not hurt young children since we just scratch the upper layer of skin (also called the epidermis) which does not have pain fibers. There is no bleeding since there are no blood vessels in the top layer of the skin. It might feel like a pin-prick sensation. If the Skin prick test (SPT) is positive, the reaction might feel itchy but this settles in a while. If your child is suffering from any allergies get in touch with a pediatric allergist for getting a skin prick test (SPT) to diagnose the cause.