A New Lancet for Skin Prick Testing

Abstract

A new lancet with a point length of 1.0 mm suitable for [human] skin prick testing is described. The weal reactions appearing after the use of histamine chloride 1 mg/ml and an extract of Phleum pratense in a 1 HEP concentration (1 histamine equivalent prick) were suitable as regards size and reproducibility compared with the reactions produced by a more conventional prick test method. The new lancet simplifies the prick test procedure and does not require as much experience as do needles and longer lancets. [This method may be used to demonstrate immediate sensitivity of the skin and to evaluate the biological activity of allergen extracts].