NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Reading patch tests forallergies beyond the customary 5 days may identify certainallergies missed by an earlier reading, according to a newreport.

Patch tests involve keeping a sample of a suspectedallergy-causing substance, or “allergen,” in place next to theskin, and seeing if a reaction develops.

“Late patch test readings were useful when interpretingreactions to metals and topical antibiotics,” Dr. Mark D. P. Davistold Reuters Health.

Davis, from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, andcolleagues reviewed the records in their database to determinewhich allergens showed positive reactions after day 5.

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