Laser skin testing

In order to accomplish more uniformity for standardization of allergy skin testing, a technique using a CO2 laser in place of a needle was developed. The dose of laser light was based on comparison of biopsies of punctures with Morrow-Brown Needles and varying combinations of laser energy parameters. The resulting laser settings were tested in twenty volunteers who had been referred for skin testing. Blinded tests were conducted with both procedures in parallel using histamine, saline, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and Lolium perenne. Comparable whealing reactions were produced by laser skin testing and puncture testing with a Morrow-Brown Needle. These results suggest several potential advantages of laser skin testing over the existing test.