Can I take a bath after a tuberculosis skin test?

Whether or not one can take a bath after a tuberculosis skin test should be determined according to specific circumstances. Generally speaking, if there is no local reaction such as redness, swelling, itching, induration, or blistering after the skin test, it is recommended to wait at least 24 hours before bathing. Additionally, one should avoid vigorously scrubbing the test site during bathing to prevent infection. If the aforementioned adverse reactions occur at the injection site, bathing should be delayed until all symptoms have completely resolved. The tuberculosis skin test, also known as the tuberculin test, involves intradermal injection of tuberculin on the flexor surface of the forearm. The reaction is evaluated 48 to 72 hours later to determine whether there is infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Therefore, during this observation period, in addition to being cautious about bathing, the test site should not be rubbed or scratched by hand, as this may interfere with the interpretation of results. Bathing after a tuberculosis skin test should be done with caution, and it is best to follow the advice and instructions of a physician.