Allergy skin tests. An overview.

Skin tests remain the best diagnostic tool to supplement the history and physical examination in current allergy practice. They are a highly specific measure of IgE fixed to tissue. They are at least as sensitive as other available methods. Several antigens can be tested at one time. In experienced hands, they are safe and highly reproducible and they offer the advantage of immediate results. They are two to five times less expensive than the RAST test and much less cumbersome and expensive than provocation tests.