What is a skin prick test?

A commonly used method of diagnosing allergies, possibly in conjunction with a blood test in the laboratory.
In the skin prick test, the surface of the skin on the forearm is lightly scratched and a solution containing the suspected allergen is dripped onto it. If the reaction is positive, you will usually see redness and swelling within a few minutes, which can also cause itching. The diameter of the “wheal” is then used to measure how severe the allergic reaction actually is.