Diagnosis
Skin Prick Test
A fast, reliable and minimally invasive test for identifying specific food or airborne allergens. Most tests are completed within the hour, with results discussed promptly.
What it tells us
A skin prick test measures whether your child has IgE antibodies to specific allergens — common foods such as peanut, tree nuts, egg and milk, or airborne triggers such as pollen and house-dust mite. A positive test, interpreted alongside your child's history, helps us decide whether a true allergy is likely and which next steps are appropriate.
What to expect
Small drops of allergen extract are placed on the forearm or back and gently pricked. After about 15 minutes we measure any raised responses. The test is read and explained within the hour.
What happens next
If the results are negative or strongly positive, with the history, we will usually make a firm diagnosis. If we are still uncertain, as the results are small or history equivocal, we may recommend a blood (specific-IgE) test, a supervised oral food challenge to confirm or exclude an allergy, or — where appropriate — a treatment pathway such as oral immunotherapy.
Common questions
Does a skin prick test hurt?+
It is minimally invasive — a small drop of allergen extract is placed on the skin and gently pricked. Most children tolerate it well, and the area is read after about 15 minutes.
How quickly are results available?+
Most skin prick tests are completed within the hour, and results are discussed in the same appointment wherever possible.
Should my child stop antihistamines beforehand?+
Antihistamines can suppress the test. We will advise how long to stop them before your appointment when you book.