Allergy Clinic – Idaho will perform a skin test on the back or forearm. Many suspected allergens are tested at the same time. If you are allergic to one of the tests, you will have redness and swelling at the test spot.

The process is fast and positive reactions usually appear within 20 min.  Sometimes redness and swelling can occur several hours after skin testing. The delayed reaction usually disappears in 24 to 48 hours, but should be reported to the allergy doctor or nurse.

Positive reactions cause annoying itching red bumps which look and feel like mosquito bites. The itching and bumps are gone usually in just a few short minutes or hours. Your allergist may apply a cream to your skin to help decrease the reaction, or have you take an antihistamine afterwards.

Does medicine interfere with allergy skin tests?

Some medicines do interfere with allergy skin tests.  When you make your appointment we will inform you which medicines will need to be paused before the skin test.