Measurement of allergen-induced skin reactions by computerized dynamic telethermography (CDTT)

Cutaneous thermic changes induced by a skin prick test reaction were measured by an infrared thermography camera (computerized dynamic telethermography, CDTT). Changes in skin temperature (T degree) detected by CDTT were compared with the mean diameter of allergen-induced skin reactions. Cutaneous thermic increase detected by CDTT correlated well with the mean wheal diameter measured in millimeters (r = 0.938, p < 0.001). Average coefficient of variation for repeated CDTT measurements was 4.6%. CDTT provides a reproducible and precise method for measuring allergen-induced skin reactions. Moreover, the continuous recording of the skin temperature represents an additional parameter for the quantification of wheal reactions.