Skin testing for allergy in children.

In diagnostic testing for IgE-mediated allergy in children the skin-prick test is preferred because it is safer, less painful and more specific than the intracutaneous test, and cheaper and more sensitive than the radioallergosorbent test (RAST). The intracutaneous test and RAST are useful in certain circumstances, however. While a positive result from any of these tests indicates hypersensitivity, it does not necessarily mean that the allergen giving the positive result is responsible for the patient's symptoms. That can only be decided by interpreting the result in light of the allergy history. This paper outlines the indications for the prick test, the allergens that may be employed, the method of doing the test, and its place among the other tests that are used in a modern pediatric allergy practice.