Allergy Metronidazole Fluorescence Assay Skin
What is this test?
Allergy Metronidazole skin test is used to test the sensitization of your skin to metronidazole. This test helps in knowing the immune response to the metronidazole. In this test, your skin is slightly pricked and introduced to the metronidazole.
What are metronidazole and metronidazole allergy?
Metronidazole is an antibiotic which is used to treat a variety of infections. Metronidazole belongs to a class known as Nitroimidazoles. It acts by stopping the growth of bacteria and protozoa. This medication can be used in combination with anti-ulcer medications which treats ulcers. Metronidazole allergy may happen when the immune system mistakes the contents in the metronidazole for a foreign substance. Then the body produces a reaction similar to the one created during an attack of bacteria or virus. The symptoms of metronidazole allergy are swelling of the face, lips, tongue, skin rashes, itching, hives, redness, stomach cramps, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tightening of the chest, throat, etc.
Sometimes the allergic reactions can be life-threatening causing narrowing of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Very less often metronidazole allergy may cause an anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency condition which leads to facial flushing, itching, shock, sudden fall in blood pressure, constriction of airways, swollen throat, difficulty in breathing, etc.
Why this test is recommended?
This test may be recommended to you if you experience symptoms like swelling of the face, lips, tongue, skin rashes, itching, hives, redness, stomach cramps, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tightening in the throat, etc immediately after receiving metronidazole. This test may be recommended to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment given for the metronidazole allergy.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Allergy Metronidazole Fluorescence Assay Skin. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Allergy Metronidazole Fluorescence Assay Skin.
No specific preparation is required for this test.
Understanding your test results
After getting exposed to the metronidazole if you develop hives, which are raised bumps at the test location that are at least 3mm in size may indicate that you have an allergy to metronidazole.
If there is no reaction or hives present on the skin after getting exposed to the metronidazole then it may indicate that you are not allergic to metronidazole.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | All age groups | A wheal and flare reaction of atleast 3mm indicates that the patient is allergic to the substance |