Skin Prick Testing for food allergy

Skin prick testing can give you an answer

Skin Prick testing is gentle - it can:

be done even on new-born babies

tell about food allergy (milk, egg, peanut, shellfish and lots more)

help diagnose inhalant allergies (such as pollens, house dust and dust mites).

How is it done?

A small drop of allergen fluid is put on the skin and then gently pricked into the skin (on the forearm or back in younger children). A reaction can be seen within about 10 minutes. A positive reaction causes a little itchy spot like a mosquito bite.

Who should be tested?

All babies and Children with eczema and asthma.
All breastfed babies with eczema to find out what to change in mother's diet.

What can be tested?

Most foods - especially milk, egg, peanut, fish, nuts, wheat, soy ....
Inhalants - dust mite, pollens, cat fur, dog hair, horses ....

Who does this skin testing?

Dr Ford does skin testing as part of a normal consultation. Therefore, he can interpret the results as soon as they come up. You get an instant answer. Skin prick testing is very safe and very useful.

Recommendation: Skin prick testing is very helpful in all children with eczema, asthma, hay fever and suspected food allergy.

Here's a video of the prick test: