Once atopic dermatitis has been diagnosed, intra-dermal skin testing is used as the final definitive procedure to determine the allergens to which the patient is hypersensitive (pollens, house dust mites, moulds etc). The results are then used to order an individual vaccine which will assist in de-sensitising the patient’s response to these allergens (allergen specific immunotherapy or ASIT).
Scanning electron micrograph of pollen
Intradermal skin testing of a dog with suspected atopic dermatitis: performed under sedation, local reaction is seen if the patient is allergic to the dilute allergen injected
Samoyed with severe atopic dermatitis before and after a course of ASIT. Lifelong treatment is often required
Seasonal pollen chart
House dust: mite a major cause of atopic dermatitis.
