Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber
Published on: March 3, 2023
Laser-assisted penetration of allergens for patch testing
Mary Veremis-Ley1, Haydee Ramirez, Elma Baron
1University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Background:
Patch-test patients often complain of itching and inconvenience.
Objective:
To demonstrate (1) the usefulness of laser-assisted alteration of the stratum corneum to enhance allergen delivery and (2) patient satisfaction with this procedure.
Methods:
The LAD-01 (erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet) laser unit was used to alter stratum corneum from patients with known sensitivity to nickel or Kathon CG. These allergens were then applied to the laser-pretreated sites for 60 minutes. Results were observed at 24, 48, and 96 hours and at 1 week. One patient who refused conventional patch testing was tested with an entire modified North American standard series tray with the laser patch-test technique. An additional patient with previously demonstrated positive atopy patch-test reactions to environmental organisms was retested with laser pretreatment to the same antigens.
Results:
Three of three patients known to be sensitive to Kathon CG and eight of eleven known nickel-sensitive patients had positive reactions at the laser-pretreated sites. The patient who was tested with the entire standard series demonstrated relevant positive reactions to formaldehyde and to a textile resin. One subject with known reactions to three environmental organisms reproduced patch-test responses with laser pretreatment. No irritant reactions were noted. Patients reported no pain.
Conclusion:
With further modification, laser pretreatment may improve patient convenience and decrease irritant test reactions owing to occlusion.
