Patient Instruction/Consent Form 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 consists of a wheal, swelling, or flare in the
surrounding area of redness). The results are read at 10 to 15 minutes after the application
of the allergen. The skin test methods are:
Prick Method: The skin is pricked with a needle where a drop of allergen has already been
placed.
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 and possibly some foods.
These include, trees, grasses, weeds, molds, dust mites, and animal dander and, possibly
some foods. The skin testing generally takes a few minutes. 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 bump (caused by histamine release into the skin) will appear
on your skin within 10 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 to 8 hours after the skin tests are
applied, particularly at sites of intradermal testing. These reactions are not serious and will
disappear over the next 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:
1. No prescription or over the counter oral antihistamines should be used 4 to 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 Claritin,
Zyrtec, Allegra ,Actifed, Dimetapp, Benedryl, and many others. Prescription antihistamines
such as Clarinex and Xyzol should also be stopped at least 5 days prior to testing. If you
have any questions whether or not you are using an antihistamine, lease please asks the
nurse or the doctor. In some instances a longer period of time off these medications may be
necessary.
2. You should discontinue your nasal and eye antihistamine medications, such as Patanase,
Pataday, Astepro, Optivar, or Astelin at least 2 days before the testing. In some instances a
longer period of time off these medications may be necessary. If you have any questions
whether or not you are using an antihistamine, please ask the nurse or the doctor. In some
instances a longer period of time off these medications may be necessary.
3. 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:
1. You may continue to use your intranasal allergy sprays such as Flonase Rhinocort,
Nasonex, Nasacort, Omnaris, Veramyst and Nasarel.
2. Asthma inhalers (inhaled steroids and bronchodilators), leukotriene antagonist s (e.g.
Singulair, Accolate) and oral theophylline (Theo-Dur,T-Phyl, Uniphyl, Theo-24, etc.) do not
interfere with skin testing and should be used as prescribed.
3. Most drugs do not interfere with skin testing but make certain that your physician and
nurse know about every drug you are taking (bring a list if necessary).
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; increased
wheezing; lightheadedness; faintness; nausea and vomiting; hives; generalized itching; and
shock, the latter under extreme circumstances. Please let the physician and nurse know if
you are pregnant or taking beta blockers. Allergy skin testing may be postponed until after
the pregnancy in the unlikely event of a reaction to the allergy testing and beta-blockers
are medications they may make the treatment of the reaction to skin testing more difficult.
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 or other health care professional
who will make further recommendations regarding your treatment 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 hour 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.
By signing below I confirm that I have read the patient information sheet on allergy skin
testing and understand it. The opportunity has been provided for me to ask questions
regarding the potential side effects of allergy skin testing and these questions have been
answered to my satisfaction. I understand that every precaution consistent with the best
medical practice will be carried out to protect me against such reactions.

Printed Name: _______________________________________________________________________________

Patient Signature: ____________________________ ________Date signed_________________

Parent or Legal Guardian Signature: _____________________ _Date signed ________________

*as parent or legal guardian, I understand that I must accompany my child throughout the entire
procedure and visit.

Staff Signature/Witness: ________________________________ Date signed ________________