Allergy Skin Testing Methods Immunological Comparison

This literature review discusses how immunological reactions develop and evaluates which skin testing method for allergies is preferred in clinical settings. This paper explains the different types of allergic reactions and their classification, as well as how the body responds to allergies and why they form. Through discussing the four main comparison criteria, accuracy, safety, comfort, and efficiency, this paper discusses the difference between skin prick testing and intradermal testing, and finds that skin prick testing is more clinically preferred. Following an inclusive comparison between the two most common skin testing methods for allergic reactions, this review then examines papers which contradict the argument of skin prick testing being clinically favoured. Overall, this review concludes that skin prick testing is generally preferred as the first-line method because of its cost efficiency, less technically demanding skills, higher specificity with fewer false-positive results, more comfort for the patient, and efficiency of being able to test multiple substances at once, while intradermal remains a second-line approach and is used in specific cases where greater sensitivity is required. Finally, this paper emphasizes the importance of skin testing and highlights future clinical development.