Adverse reactions associated with skin testing and immunotherapy.

Fatalities have been associated with allergen skin testing and immunotherapy. Therefore, physicians using such tests and therapy should be knowledgeable in their use and take proper precautions to decrease the risk of anaphylaxis. The American Academy of Allergy and Immunology recommends a 20-minute wait that can be extended for high risk patients following an injection, and that the physician in charge of administering immunotherapy should be familiar with and prepared to appropriately treat anaphylaxis. Future treatment with peptides rather than whole allergens may increase safety.