Allergy testing, skin prick

A skin prick allergy test is the gold standard for allergy diagnosis. It consists of exposing you to very small amounts of different types of common allergens to cause a localized allergic reaction when your skin is poked with a small needle containing the antigen. Most skin prick testing is done on your back, so you don't feel much pain. If you have an allergy to a specific allergen, the area may itch and look red. Doctors measure the degree of redness and swelling near the pinprick to see if you are allergic to the allergen you received. The test requires multiple pinpricks and a period of observation to see your reaction to the testing.