What an Allergy Skin Test Can (and Can't) Tell You

A skin test provides valuable insight into your allergies, and it’s a mainstay of effective allergy treatment. However, while it’s an excellent first step, skin testing doesn’t solve every allergy riddle.

Our team at Allergy A.R.T.S. in Amarillo, Texas, offers comprehensive care designed to help you overcome the everyday challenges of allergies. Whether you have itchy eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, or a life-threatening reaction, we can help.

One of our goals is to identify the substances that are triggering your reactions, which helps us personalize an effective treatment plan. Skin testing plays a significant role, but it’s not our only tool since there are a few questions the skin test cannot answer about your allergies.

Learn more about what skin tests can reveal and their limitations from our Allergy A.R.T.S. team.

Allergy skin test basics

An allergy skin test, also known as a skin prick test, is a diagnostic tool we use to determine what substances (allergens) cause allergic reactions in an individual.

During the test, your Allergy A.R.T.S. provider pricks or scratches the skin with tiny amounts of common allergens, allowing the allergens to enter the skin's surface.

After a short wait, usually around 20 minutes, we examine the test area for any signs of an allergic reaction, such as redness, swelling, or itching. The size and severity of any reactions help identify your allergy triggers.

You’re monitored closely throughout the test to ensure a swift medical response for a severe reaction. However, severe reactions are rare during skin testing, making them safe for most individuals.

The number of allergies tested during an allergy skin test varies depending on the specific allergens suspected by your specialist. A standard panel might include common allergens like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and molds.

However, we can create customized panels based on your medical history and suspected allergens. Some people benefit from a comprehensive panel that tests for dozens of allergens, while others may require only a select few.

The results help your Allergy A.R.T.S. care team develop an appropriate treatment plan, such as avoidance measures, allergy medications, or immunotherapy.

What an allergy skin test can tell you

An allergy skin test can reveal multiple allergy triggers, including:

Environmental allergens

Environmental allergies include pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds, dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander. The test exposes the skin to these allergens and can identify which ones trigger allergic reactions.

Food allergens

Skin prick tests can also be used to identify common food allergens such as peanuts, eggs, milk, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. This can be particularly helpful for individuals experiencing adverse reactions after consuming certain foods.

Insect venom

For those allergic to insect stings, such as bees, wasps, hornets, and fire ants, skin tests can help identify specific venom allergens.

What an allergy skin test can’t tell you

There are a few limitations when it comes to skin testing, including:

Assessing the severity of allergic reactions

While an allergy skin test can determine what substances you are allergic to, it cannot predict the severity of your allergic reactions. Some individuals may have mild reactions to specific allergens, while others may experience severe, life-threatening reactions, known as anaphylaxis.

Identifying delayed allergic reactions

Skin tests primarily detect immediate allergic reactions within minutes of exposure to an allergen. They may not effectively identify delayed allergic reactions that occur hours (sometimes days) after exposure.

Diagnosing non-IgE mediated allergies

Allergy skin tests focus on IgE-mediated allergic reactions, where the immune system produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in response to allergens. However, a skin test may not be suitable for identifying some food allergies or certain drug reactions.

It’s also possible you aren’t a good candidate for skin testing. This may include individuals who have a skin rash or hives or those taking allergy medications. In these cases, your allergist may recommend a blood test rather than skin testing to help treat your allergies.  

Schedule an evaluation at Allergy A.R.T.S. today for comprehensive, personalized care focused on eliminating the challenges of allergies.