title: [Proposal for skin prick test protocol].
abstract: Skin prick tests remain to be the method predominantly used for diagnosis of allergic diseases. Regarding its low cost, rapidity of performance, safety and good correlation with the presence of clinical symptoms, skin prick tests are often considered sufficient for recognizing allergy and hence determine further therapeutic management. Since a wide variety of factors may influence the sensitivity and specificity of this method (quality of allergenic extracts, prick technique, appropriate scheme of discontinuing drugs, diet), there has been strong emphasis that skin prick tests be performed by well-trained medical personnel, using standardized techniques. The protocol that we propose, practically systematizes current principles regarding methodology of skin prick tests and thus simplifies correct patient qualification, test performance and interpretation of the results. Both the modified prick technique introduced by Pepys and Bernstein and the "Scandinavian" scoring and interpretation system are the current reference methods recommended by the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology.
authors.affiliation: Katedry i Kliniki Pneumonologii Slaskiej Akademii Medycznej, Katowicach.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Semik
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barczyk
authors.forename: Władysław
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pierzchała
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*