Allergy Testing
The best way to test for allergies is through what is known as skin testing. There are essentially two types of skin tests which doctors and health technicians perform:
- Scratch Testing - also known as percutaneous testing
In this test, a minute drop of a potential allergen is scratched into the skin and the body’s reaction is closely monitored. This is the most common form of allergy testing.
- Intradermal Testing
In this test, a small amount of a potential allergen is injected under the skin using a thin needle. This type of testing is often used to test for allergies to insect stings or penicillin.
