Tests can be done for common allergens such as plant pollens, moulds, dust mites, animal dander, insect stings and various foods such as peanuts, eggs, wheat, shellfish and milk. Testing also is available for some medicines, such as penicillin. The types of tests include:
- Skin prick test: pricks the surface of your skin with a small amount of the allergen. The test is done on your back or the inside of your arms with several allergens tested at once. If you are allergic, redness and swelling appear at the site of the prick.
- The intradermal test: injects the allergen with a fine needle under the first few layers of your skin. This may be used when the result of a prick test is unclear.
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