A skin test in which a small scratch is made on the skin of the forearm by a small needle wherein a substance is placed to determine the body’s reaction to the substance.
A test for allergy, in which a small amount of a substance is placed on a lightly scratched area of skin to see if a reaction occurs.
Skin test for identifying an allergen. A small amount of a solution containing a suspected allergen is placed on a scratched skin area; if redness and wheal formation develop, allergy to that particular substance is demonstrated.
An approach to allergy testing performed to identify the allergen that produces symptoms in an affected person. Scratch tests are also called skin prick testing and involve introducing a drop of allergen extract into the skin using a small sharp instrument that causes a small break in the skin.
Placement of an appropriate dilution of a test material suspected of being an allergen in a lightly scratched area of the skin. If the material is an allergen, a wheal will develop within 15 min. The scratch test is used to detect IgE antibody responses, (e.g., in patients with a history of allergy to penicillin).