Allergy & Dermatology

ALK-Abello Skin Prick Tests (SPT)

For Australian & New Zealand medical professionals,
the latest information (as of 3/7/2010) on the availability and products of
ALK-Abello Skin Prick Test Reagents
can be obtained by viewing the relevant Restricted Access section of this website. 
To enter the Restricted Access section on ALK-Abello SPT Reagents, click here.
To obtain your password for this restricted Access Section, contact AMS.

ALK-Abello Skin Prick Test Reagents

The identification of the allergens actually causing the symptoms of allergy conditions (such as hay fever/rhinitis, asthma, conjunctivitis, gastro-intestinal disturbance, etc.) is an important pre-requisite step in order to try to avoid those allergens, and so lessen the immunological stimulation underlying those symptoms.

In addition, it is absolutely essential that a proper and reliable identification of the problem allergens be performed prior to any treatment with an appropriate Immunotherapy Vaccine.

The allergens that are most usually implicated in this Type I IgE-mediated allergy are:

• Inhalant allergens such as Grass / Weed / Tree Pollens, Mould Spores, House Dust Mites, Cat & Dog & Horse Epithelia
• Injectant allergens such as Bee Venom and Drugs
• Occupational allergens such as Latex
• Ingestant allergens such as various Foods.

The Doctor can often presumptively identify the problem allergens from a careful clinical history and examination. However confirmation of the identity of the problem allergens is most usually required. This can be achieved by either in vivo Skin Prick Tests or in vitro Blood Tests to measure allergen-specific IgE.

Skin Prick Tests are most usually utilised in Australia as the method of choice, as they are fast, inexpensive and reasonably clinically reliable.

Skin Prick Tests are performed by trained health care professionals in Allergy Clinics, by some Allergy Specialists in their rooms, and by some Laboratories in their depots.

For further information on Skin Prick Tests see the Position Paper by the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology & Allergy at www.allergy.org.au .

However there are several factors that must be considered by the doctor in chossing whether to use Skin Prick Tests and/or Blood tests;
such as range of allergens available, patient's ongoing medication, potentially dangerous allergens, highly sensitised patients, operator variability, etc.

For these reasons, the in vitro blood tests may be used preferentially in some circumstances, or may be used together with Skin Prick Tests.