As part of our ongoing commitment to clinical best practice and consistency across the Awanui laboratory network, we are updating and harmonising our approach to allergy testing.

Effective 13 April 2026, skin prick testing protocols will be standardised across your region. To support appropriate utilisation, I would like to clarify the clinical indications for skin prick testing.

Aeroallergens

Skin prick testing for aeroallergens is indicated only in:

• Patients with allergic rhinitis, and
• Selected cases of asthma, where allergy is suspected to be a contributing factor

 Eczema alone is not an indication for aeroallergen skin prick testing.

Food Allergens

Skin prick testing for food allergens is indicated only in patients who:

• Have experienced a clear immediate IgE-mediated reaction, and
• Are currently avoiding the suspected food

Testing should be limited strictly to the specific food(s) meeting these criteria. Foods the patient is currently consuming should not be tested.

Please note Awanui laboratory staff reserve the right to decline testing requests that fall outside these criteria.

Further information can be found here and there is a 25 minute presentation that you can access here.

There will be amendments to the eOrder form to support these changes being rolled out, later in the year. For now, please include detailed clinical indications in your requests.

Should you require additional advice, please contact the Immunology department at your local Awanui laboratory. 

Kind regards

Dr Richard Steele
Chief Medical Officer
Awanui Labs