Curcumin does not significantly affect immediate skin tests.

Background

Curcumin has been shown to decrease allergic symptoms and biomarkers in some animal and human studies.

Objective

Our study aimed to determine if curcumin affects immediate skin-prick testing.

Methods

We enrolled 34 participants sensitized to select antigens. The participants were randomized to treatment with curcumin or placebo in a double-blind fashion. The participants underwent titrated skin-prick testing before and after 1 week of treatment, and the pre- and posttreatment skin test wheals and flares were compared.

Results

Curcumin did not have a statistically significant effect on immediate skin-prick test wheal or flare size.

Conclusion

Although curcumin may attenuate allergic symptoms and biomarkers, it does not have a significant effect on immediate skin-prick test results and does not need to be discontinued before testing.