Patient Instruction/Consent Sheet for Allergy Skin Testing
Skin Test: Skin tests are methods of testing for allergic antibodies. A test consists of introducing small amounts of the suspected substance, or allergen, into the skin and noting the development of a positive reaction (which consist of a wheal, swelling, or flare in the surrounding area of redness). The results are read at 15 to 20 minutes after the application of the allergen.
The skin test methods are:
Multi-Test Method: This method uses a device that applies multiple allergenic extracts directly to the volar surfaces of the arm or back using a rocking motion.
Intradermal Method: This method consists of injecting small amounts of an allergen into the superficial layers of the skin.
Interpreting the clinical significance of skin tests requires skillful correlation of the test results with the patient’s clinical history. Positive tests indicate the presence of allergic antibodies and are not necessarily correlated with clinical symptoms.
You will be tested to important (location) airborne allergens including trees, grasses, weeds, molds, dust mites, and animal danders, and possibly some foods. The skin testing generally takes 45 minutes. Multi-Test/Prick (also known as percutaneous) tests are usually performed on your back but may also be performed on your arms. Intradermal skin tests may be performed if the prick skin tests are negative and are performed on your arms. If you have a specific allergic sensitivity to one of the allergens, a red, raised, itchy hive (caused by histamine release into the skin) will appear on your skin within 15 to 20 minutes. These positive reactions will gradually disappear over a period of 30 to 60 minutes, and, typically, no treatment is necessary for this itchiness. Occasionally local swelling at a test site will begin 4-8 hours after the skin tests are applied, particularly at sites of intradermals testing. These reactions are not serious and will disappear over the n! ext week or so. They should be measured and reported to your physician at your next visit. You may be scheduled for skin testing to antibiotics, caines, venoms, or other biological agents. The same guidelines apply.
Do Not: No prescription or over the counter antihistamines should be used 5 days prior to scheduled skin testing. These include cold tablets, sinus tablets, hay fever medications, or oral treatments for itchy skin. Over the counter allergy medications, such as Actifed, Dimetapp, Benedryl, and many others. If you have any questions whether or not you are using an antihistamine, please ask a nurse or the doctor. Some allergy eye medications have antihistaminic activity and will need to be discontinued prior to testing. Patients on new prescription antihistamines such as Claritin, Clarinex, Alavert, Allegra, and Zyrtec should be off these medications for at least 5 days prior to testing. In some instances a longer period of time off these medications may be necessary.
Medications such as over the counter sleeping medications (e.g. Tylenol PM and other prescribed drugs, such as amytriptyline hydrochloride (Elavil), hydroxyzine (Atarax), doxepin (Sinequan), and imipramine (Tofranil) have antihistaminic activity and should be discontinued at least 2 weeks prior to receiving skin test after consultation with your physician. Please make the doctor or nurse aware of the fact that you are taking these medications so that you may be advised as to how long prior to testing you should stop taking them.
You May: You may continue to use your intranasal allergy sprays such as Flonase, Rhinocort, Nasonex, Nasacort and Nasarel. Afrin and Sudafed may be used temporarily but not the day of testing.
Asthma inhalers (inhaled steroids and bronchodilators); leukotriene antagonists (e.g. Singulair, Accolade) and oral theophylline (Theo-Door, T-Phil, Epiphyll, Theo-24, etc.) do not interfere with skin testing and should be used as prescribed.
Most drugs do not interfere with skin testing but make certain that your physician and nurse know about every drug you are taking.
Please let the physician and nurse know if you are taking any beta-blockers. Beta-blockers are considered a relative contraindication to allergy skin testing.
Please let the physician and nurse know if you are taking antidepressants, if you are pregnant and bring a list of any medications you are taking.
Skin testing will be administered at this medical facility with a medical physician or other health care professional present since occasional reactions may require immediate therapy. These reactions may consist of any or all of the following symptoms: itchy eyes, nose, or throat; nasal congestion; runny nose; tightness in the throat or chest; generalized itching; and shock, the latter under extreme circumstances. Please note that these reactions rarely occur but in the event a reaction would occur, the staff is fully trained and emergency equipment is available.
After skin testing, you will consult with your physician who will make further recommendations regarding your treatment and all the options available.
We request that you do not bring small children with you when you are scheduled for skin testing unless they are accompanied by another adult who can sit with them in the reception room.
Please do not cancel your appointment since the time set aside for your skin test is exclusively yours for which special allergens are prepared. If for any reason you need to change your skin test appointment, please give us at least 48 hours notice, due to the length of time scheduled for skin testing, a last minute change results in a loss of valuable time that another patient might have utilized.
Patient___________________________________________date signed___________
Parent or legal guardian_____________________________date signed___________
*as parent or legal guardian, I understand that I must accompany my child throughout the entire procedure and visit.