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Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Precision Implementation of Minimal Erythema Dose MED Testing to Assess Individual Variation in Human Inflammatory Response
Published on: October 3, 2019
Curcumin does not significantly affect immediate skin tests
Lara M Gross1, Harold S Nelson2, Aastha Khatiwada3
1From the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Dallas Allergy and Asthma Center.
Abstract:
Background: Curcumin has been shown to decrease allergic symptoms and biomarkers in some animal and human studies. Objective: Our study aimed to determine if curcumin affects immediate skin-prick testing. Methods: We enrolled 34 participants sensitized to select antigens. The participants were randomized to treatment with curcumin or placebo in a double-blind fashion. The participants underwent titrated skin-prick testing before and after 1 week of treatment, and the pre- and posttreatment skin test wheals and flares were compared. Results: Curcumin did not have a statistically significant effect on immediate skin-prick test wheal or flare size. Conclusion: Although curcumin may attenuate allergic symptoms and biomarkers, it does not have a significant effect on immediate skin-prick test results and does not need to be discontinued before testing.

