Repeated sneezing, nasal blockage, watery eyes, unexplained coughing or asthma symptoms can sometimes be related to environmental allergies. However, symptoms alone cannot reliably determine which allergen is responsible.
A skin prick test can help detect sensitisation to selected allergens such as house-dust mites, pollens, moulds and animal dander. The results must always be interpreted alongside the patient’s symptoms, exposure history and clinical examination.
At Australian Polyclinic in DHA Phase 5, Lahore, allergy testing is performed as part of a structured clinical assessment rather than as an isolated screening package.
What Is a Skin Prick Allergy Test?
A skin prick test is a commonly used method of assessing immediate, IgE-mediated sensitisation to specific allergens.
Small drops containing carefully selected allergen extracts are placed on the skin, usually on the inner forearm. A sterile testing lancet makes a very superficial prick through each drop. This is not a blood test or an injection, and bleeding is not normally expected.
Positive and negative control solutions are also applied. These controls help determine whether the skin is responding appropriately and whether the results can be interpreted reliably.
The reactions are generally examined after approximately 15 minutes. Any raised area, called a wheal, is measured and compared with the control reactions. Current professional guidance recommends trained supervision, appropriate controls and clinical interpretation of the measured results. ASCIA Skin Prick Testing Guide
Who May Benefit From Allergy Testing?
A clinical allergy assessment may be considered when symptoms suggest a relationship with a particular environmental exposure.
Examples include:
- Repeated sneezing, nasal itching or watery nasal discharge
- Persistent or recurring nasal blockage
- Itchy, red or watery eyes
- Symptoms that worsen during particular seasons
- Symptoms after exposure to dust, damp areas, pets or vegetation
- Recurring cough, wheezing or chest tightness with possible allergic triggers
- Asthma that appears to worsen with identifiable exposures
- Persistent allergic rhinitis despite appropriate treatment
- Assessment before considering allergen immunotherapy
Not every patient with nasal or respiratory symptoms needs an allergy test. Viral infections, sinus disease, structural nasal problems, smoke, perfume and air pollution can produce similar symptoms.
Lahore’s smog, for example, can irritate the nose and airways without representing an IgE-mediated allergy. Clinical assessment helps distinguish allergic sensitisation from non-allergic irritation and other respiratory conditions.
Patients with wheezing, recurring cough or chest tightness can also read about our asthma specialist assessment in Lahore.
Which Allergens Can Be Tested?
The allergens selected should reflect the patient’s symptoms, home environment, occupation, pets and likely exposures. Depending on clinical relevance, an inhaled-allergen panel may include:
- House-dust mites
- Tree, grass or weed pollens
- Mould spores
- Cat or dog dander
- Cockroach allergens
- Other selected inhaled allergens
Testing a large number of unrelated allergens without considering the clinical history can produce confusing or irrelevant positive results. The objective is not simply to find any positive reaction; it is to determine whether a particular sensitisation plausibly explains the patient’s symptoms.
What Does a Positive Result Mean?
A positive skin prick result indicates sensitisation to the substance tested. It does not automatically prove that exposure to that allergen is causing the patient’s symptoms.
For example, someone may have a positive reaction to cat dander but experience no symptoms around cats. Conversely, a person may have clinically important allergy symptoms even when an initial test is negative.
Results are therefore interpreted by considering:
- The pattern and timing of symptoms
- Exposure at home, work or outdoors
- Seasonal variation
- The size of the skin reaction
- Positive and negative control responses
- Coexisting allergic rhinitis, asthma or eczema
- Previous treatment and response
Treatment should not be based on a test result alone. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology similarly describes skin testing as a diagnostic tool that must be considered with the clinical assessment. AAAAI allergy-testing information
Is Skin Prick Testing Painful?
Most patients tolerate the procedure well. The lancet touches only the superficial layer of skin, so the sensation is generally brief.
If a reaction develops, the test area may become itchy and form a small raised wheal similar to a mosquito bite. The reactions usually settle after the test, although local itching or redness can sometimes persist for longer.
Children may also undergo skin prick testing when clinically appropriate, but the decision and choice of allergens should be individualised.
How Should You Prepare for the Test?
Some medications—particularly antihistamines—can suppress the skin response and make the test difficult to interpret.
Before your appointment:
- Provide the clinic with a complete list of prescription and non-prescription medicines.
- Ask how long any antihistamine should be withheld because the required interval varies between medications.
- Do not independently stop prescribed medication.
- Continue essential asthma treatment unless the treating clinician advises otherwise.
- Avoid applying moisturiser, steroid cream, perfume or other skin products to the proposed testing area on the day.
- Bring previous allergy results, prescriptions and relevant respiratory reports.
- Inform the clinician if you are pregnant, take beta-blockers, have extensive dermatitis or have previously experienced a severe allergic reaction.
- Tell the clinic if your asthma is currently unstable or you have an acute illness.
If an antihistamine cannot safely be stopped or the skin cannot be reliably tested, serum allergen-specific IgE testing may be considered instead.
Skin Prick Testing Versus Blood Allergy Testing
Both skin prick testing and allergen-specific IgE blood testing can provide evidence of sensitisation.
Skin prick testing
- Results are usually available during the appointment
- Tests several clinically selected allergens at the same visit
- Requires suitable skin and an interpretable histamine response
- Can be affected by antihistamines and some other medications
Allergen-specific IgE blood testing
- Requires a blood sample
- May be useful when skin testing is unsuitable
- Is not suppressed by antihistamine use
- Results are not immediate
- Still requires interpretation alongside the clinical history
A total IgE level is not a substitute for allergen-specific testing. Total IgE may be elevated for several reasons and cannot independently identify the allergen responsible for symptoms. NICE recognises skin-prick testing and serum-specific IgE as specialist investigations used in selected patients with suspected allergic rhinitis. NICE guidance
Is a Patch Test the Same as a Skin Prick Test?
No. These tests investigate different types of allergic reactions.
A skin prick test evaluates immediate sensitisation, commonly associated with inhaled allergens, allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. Results are usually read after about 15 minutes.
A patch test evaluates delayed contact allergy, such as allergic contact dermatitis caused by metals, fragrances, preservatives or chemicals. Patches remain on the skin considerably longer and require later readings.
The two terms should not be used interchangeably.
Can Allergy Testing Help Asthma?
Allergic rhinitis and asthma frequently occur together. Environmental allergens may trigger nasal symptoms, coughing, wheezing or loss of asthma control in sensitised individuals.
When respiratory symptoms are present, allergy testing may form one component of a wider assessment that can include:
- Clinical examination
- Spirometry with bronchodilator testing
- Complete pulmonary function testing when indicated
- Review of inhaler technique and treatment
- Assessment of environmental and occupational exposures
A positive allergy test does not establish an asthma diagnosis. Likewise, a normal allergy test does not exclude asthma.
Learn more about pulmonary function testing in Lahore and the assessment of persistent cough.
What Happens After an Allergen Is Identified?
Management depends on whether the test result is clinically relevant. The treatment plan may include:
- Practical reduction of relevant allergen exposure
- Treatment of allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis
- Review and treatment of asthma
- Education about symptom patterns and triggers
- Allergen immunotherapy in appropriately selected patients
- Further investigation when the result does not explain the symptoms
Complete avoidance is not always possible, particularly with house-dust mites, pollens and outdoor air exposures. Recommendations should therefore be realistic, targeted and proportionate to the patient’s symptoms.
Immunotherapy is not automatically required for every positive result. It is considered after confirming clinically significant allergy and reviewing symptom severity, treatment response, suitability and potential risks.
Allergy Testing at Australian Polyclinic Lahore
At Australian Polyclinic, allergy testing is overseen by Dr G. Sarwar Chaudhry, MBBS, FRACP (Australia), FCCP (USA), Consultant Pulmonologist, Sleep Physician and Allergy Specialist.
The assessment is particularly suited to patients with:
- Allergic rhinitis and recurrent nasal symptoms
- Suspected house-dust mite or pollen allergy
- Allergy-related cough
- Asthma with possible environmental triggers
- Overlapping nasal and respiratory allergy symptoms
Testing is selected according to clinical need, and the results are interpreted as part of the overall medical assessment.
Explore our Allergy Centre Lahore or view Dr G. Sarwar Chaudhry’s profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a skin prick test take?
The skin reactions are generally read after approximately 15 minutes. Allow additional time for clinical assessment, preparation, interpretation and discussion of the results.
Does skin prick testing involve injections?
No. Small allergen drops are placed on the skin, and a specialised lancet makes a superficial prick through each drop. It is not a conventional injection.
Should I stop antihistamines before testing?
Antihistamines can suppress skin reactions. Contact the clinic for instructions because the withholding period varies according to the medication. Do not stop prescribed medication without advice.
What does a positive result mean?
A positive result demonstrates sensitisation. It becomes clinically meaningful when it corresponds with the patient’s symptoms and exposure history.
Can children have a skin prick test?
Children can undergo testing when it is clinically appropriate. The selection of allergens and suitability of testing should be decided after assessment.
Can a skin prick test diagnose asthma?
No. Allergy testing may identify relevant triggers, but asthma requires a separate clinical and respiratory assessment. Spirometry or other investigations may be needed.
What if I cannot stop my antihistamine?
Allergen-specific IgE blood testing may be considered when medication or a skin condition prevents reliable skin testing.
Is skin prick testing the same as patch testing?
No. Skin prick testing assesses immediate allergic sensitisation, while patch testing investigates delayed contact dermatitis.
Arrange an Allergy Assessment
Australian Polyclinic
First Floor, Building 19, CCA, DHA Phase 5, Lahore
Call or WhatsApp: 0311 057 3333
Clinic hours: Monday–Saturday, 2:00 PM–9:00 PM
Dr G. Sarwar Chaudhry’s consultations: 4:00 PM–8:00 PM
Appointments are recommended.
Medical disclaimer
This article provides general educational information and does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis or treatment. Do not stop prescribed medication solely on the basis of this article. Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, rapidly progressive swelling or signs of anaphylaxis require urgent emergency care.
Written by: Australian Polyclinic Medical Team
Medically reviewed by: Dr G. Sarwar Chaudhry, MBBS, FRACP (Australia), FCCP (USA)
Last reviewed: 14 September 2026