The site of the PPD skin test is itchy.
It is normal for the site of the PPD skin test to itch. The PPD skin test, also known as the tuberculin test, is a method that uses tuberculin in a skin test to determine whether the body will produce a hypersensitivity reaction to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Typically, tuberculin is injected intradermally on the volar surface of the forearm, and the reaction is observed after 72 hours.
The standard method is intradermal injection. For PPD, the initial test solution contains 0.0001 mg per 0.1 mL. For OT (old tuberculin), the initial dose is usually a 1:100,000 dilution to prevent severe local or systemic reactions. After routine disinfection, the test solution is injected into the dermis of the inner forearm. Results are read 48–72 hours after injection; if results at 48 hours are unclear, the 72-hour reading should be used. Evaluation should focus on the presence of induration, not merely erythema.
The injection site may develop redness, swelling, and induration, surrounded by a pale red halo. Erythema results from capillary dilation, tissue edema, or congestion, whereas induration is caused by swelling of dermal collagen fibers and primarily due to cellular infiltration.
Interpretation of results: no erythema or induration is recorded as (–); a tiny red spot at the injection site or slight redness and swelling with induration diameter <0.5 cm is (±); erythema and induration diameter of 0.5–0.9 cm is (+); diameter of 1.0–1.9 cm is (++); diameter ≥2.0 cm is (+++); and in addition to erythema and induration, the appearance of vesicles or necrosis at the site is classified as (++++)