Skin tests in the diagnosis of food allergy

Abstract

Skin tests are an important step in diagnosing food allergy. Several types of skin tests are used: prick test, intradermal, patch tests, as well as a special version of skin tests - these are tests with native (fresh allergens) – prick-prick tests. We review sensitivity, specificity, the possibility of false positive and false negative results when using natural products in testing. The safety of skin tests and certain contraindications for their use have to be considered. The advantages of using fresh products specimens for skin tests, their high sensitivity and negative predictive value of tests are described. This allows to reduce the likelihood of missing true positives:: the real patients with risk of a severe systemic reaction.