Skin Scrape Test: An Inexpensive and Painless Skin Test For Recognition Of Immediate Hypersensitivity In Children And Adults

Abstract

Background: Skin testing is a mainstay in allergology, and its importance is increasing in several fields. The ability to choose the most suitable technique according to the clinical setting is an advantage for the medical team. Objectives: To describe in detail an alternative technique of the coetaneous allergy test (skin scrape test) conceived as a variation of the former skin scratch test; to evaluate its value as a tool for diagnosis of immune sensitization; and to compare its accuracy with the skin prick test. Methods: The skin scrape test and skin prick test were performed side by side with the same allergen extracts in 162 human subjects classified in two groups according to the known presence or absence of serum specific-IgE to these allergens. Results: The sensitivity of the skin scrape test to detect immediate reactions was 85.0%. The sensitivity of the skin prick test was 86.5%. The sensitivity of both techniques analyzed together as a unique procedure was 94.2%. The specificity of the skin scrape test was 90.1%.The specificity of the skin prick test was 72.9%.The specificity of both tests analyzed together as a unique procedure was 70.5%. Conclusions: The skin scrape test is an alternative and complementary technique for allergic skin testing, and it is able to detect IgE-specific immune sensitization without the disadvantages of the skin scratch test. The skin scrape test has similar outcomes to the skin prick test.

Assessment of Allergen-Induced Respiratory Hyperresponsiveness before the Prescription of a Specific Immunotherapy

“…All the subjects had a previous clinical diagnosis of allergic rhinitis and evidence of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus by serum analysis of specific-IgE, skin-prick test, and skin scrape test performed as previously described. 14 No subject had a previous diagnosis or symptoms of asthma.…”

Group-specific Multi-allergen Sublingual/Swallow Immunotherapy Improves the Quality of Life of Polysensitized Children and Adults with Allergic Rhinitis

“…All of the patients had previous clinical diagnoses of persistent rhinitis according to the ARIA criteria [27] and evidence of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity by both skin prick test and skin scrape test performed as previously described [28].…”

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Citation: Olivier CE, dos Santos Lima RP, Argentão DGP, da Silva MD, dos Santos RAPG, et al (2013)

AbstractBackground: The treatment of polysensitized allergic patients continues to represent a challenge and is a matter for debate amongst allergists who preferentially use allergen-specific immunotherapy.Objective: To study the effect of group-specific sublingual/swallow immunotherapy on quality of life of polysensitized human subjects with allergic rhinitis diagnosed using a comprehensive panel of cutaneous tests.Methods: 60 polysensitized subjects diagnosed with allergic rhinitis who submitted to group-specific sublingual/ swallow immunotherapy treatment corresponding to their cutaneous sensitizations, and who completed 6 months of treatment without the use of any complementary medication were evaluated with a validated quality of life questionnaire.Results: There were significant improvements in all quality of life categories evaluated, which included: sleep, systemic symptoms, practical problems, nasal symptoms, eye symptoms, activities and emotions.

Conclusions:The administration of a group-specific multi-allergen sublingual/swallow immunotherapy as indicated by a comprehensive panel of sensitizing agents in cutaneous tests performed by a specialized team, significantly improved the quality of life of human polysensitized subjects with allergic rhinitis without the use of any additional medication.

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Food-dependent drug-induced angioedema: a case report

“…She did not present any respiratory symptoms and was not suspicious of any food allergy, but complained of recurrent headaches that had been investigated by a neurologist without a definitive diagnosis. We proceed to perform a panel of allergic skin tests to evaluate food allergy as well the drugs associated with the angioedema episodes [4]. The skin allergy tests demonstrated immediate reactions (wheal/flare) to histamine (14/21 mm) and to hen's egg white (13/17 mm).…”