Tuberculin Skin Tests: How It Is Done
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How It Is Done
For a tuberculin skin test, you sit down and turn the inner side of your forearm up. The skin where the test is done is cleaned and allowed to dry. A small shot of the TB antigen (purified protein derivative, or PPD) is put under the top layer of skin. The fluid makes a little bump (wheal) under the skin. A circle may be drawn around the test area with a pen. See an illustration of a person receiving a Mantoux test 
.
Do not cover the site with a bandage. You must see your health professional 2 to 3 days after the test to have the skin test checked.
| Last updated: | May 18, 2007 |
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| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Alfred A. Lardizabal, MD - Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine/Tuberculosis |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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