An allergy testing kit contains a plurality of allergy testing applicators, an allergy testing tray and a plurality of allergen bottles each containing an allergen. Each of the applicators contains an elongated handle, a plurality of arms extending from the elongated handle and disposed in an asymmetrical configuration, and a plurality of legs with tines extending from each of the arms. The allergy testing tray contains a main body having an underside and a top surface, a cover for locking with the main body and a plurality of reservoirs extending from the underside of the main body. The reservoirs each have a chamber with an opening extending from the top surface. The reservoirs are disposed in different groups and each group has an asymmetrical configuration matching that of the applicator.

A multiple test applicator has a first and second scratching barb in cooperative engagement with each other and a first and second reservoir in a fluid tray each filled with a first and second allergen. During allergen loading, the first allergen is loaded onto the first scratching barb as the second allergen is loaded onto the second scratching barb. Then, during allergen deposition the applicator is removed from the fluid tray and the first scratching barb moves laterally across the patient's skin as the second scratching barb moves laterally across the patient's skin toward the first scratching barb. The first scratching barb then scratches the epidermis at a first test site as a trace amount of the first allergen is deposited into a first site as the second scratching barb scratches a second site as a trace amount of the second allergen seeps into the second site.

Multi-layer contact patches, as well as related apparatus, kits, systems, and methods, enable improved allergen testing and diagnosis. Multi-layer contact patches include a shield layer releasably coupled to an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer at least partially defines and is fixably coupled to an allergen complex layer. The allergen complex layer defines a plurality of allergen complex cavities. At least a subset of the allergen complex cavities include an allergen complex positioned therein, each allergen complex comprising an absorbent matrix and an allergen.

A blister strip which can be stuck onto the skin, is formed from at least two sheets and has an applicator for applying a medium contained in the blister to the skin, wherein the blister strip includes an upper sheet, with at least one protuberance, wherein the underside of the upper sheet, the underside enclosing the protuberance, is of adhesive configuration. The blister strip has a lower sheet, which covers the lower surface of the blister strip and can be drawn off from the adhesive underside of the upper sheet. The protuberance contains an applicator, separating the protuberance into at least two sub-volumes. Wherein the applicator has at least one opening, which connects two sub-volumes, wherein one sub-volume is located between the applicator and the lower sheet, and wherein at least one sub-volume is entirely surrounded by the inner surface of the protuberance and the applicator, and contains the medium.

A multiple test applicator has a first and second scratching barb in cooperative engagement with each other and a first and second reservoir in a fluid tray each filled with a first and second allergen. During allergen loading, the first allergen is loaded onto the first scratching barb as the second allergen is loaded onto the second scratching barb. Then, during allergen deposition the applicator is removed from the fluid tray and the first scratching barb moves laterally across the patient's skin as the second scratching barb moves laterally across the patient's skin toward the first scratching barb. The first scratching barb then scratches the epidermis at a first test site as a trace amount of the first allergen is deposited into a first site as the second scratching barb scratches a second site as a trace amount of the second allergen seeps into the second site.

The present invention provides methods for determining whether a subject is allergic to an allergen, comprising administering to the subject's skin at an injection site a composition comprising the allergen, wherein the composition is administered with a microneedle delivery device; and monitoring the injection site of the subject's skin for the appearance of a hypersensitivity reaction, wherein the appearance of the hypersensitivity reaction indicates that the subject is allergic to the allergen.

Disclosed herein are methods of detecting an altered gene expression levels in a subject suspected of having atopic dermatitis. Further described herein are methods of treating atopic dermatitis in a subject having an exhibiting an altered gene expression level.

There is provided a method for use in determining whether a subject is allergic to a substance. The method comprises: receiving a first set of spatially distributed light intensity values covering a skin region of the subject including a location at which the substance has been applied; wherein the light intensity values in the first set are intensities of visible light; receiving a second set of spatially distributed light intensity values covering the skin region, wherein the light intensity values in the second set are intensities of infrared, IR, light; generating a first spatial distribution of photoplethysmogram, PPG, pulse amplitudes based on the first set of light intensity values; generating a second spatial distribution of PPG pulse amplitudes based on the second set of light intensity values; comparing the first spatial distribution to the second spatial distribution, and to the location at which the substance has been applied; and outputting an indication of whether the subject is experiencing an allergic reaction to the substance based on the comparing.

A system and method for automatic reading skin for an allergy to a substance, includes a consumer electronics device that acquires images of skin; a consumable member having a surface divided into elementary areas, each elementary area with a different possible allergenic substance; and a palette that, when applied against each elementary area brings the depositing part into contact with the skin thereby depositing the corresponding possible allergenic substance on or under the skin, where an image processing operation of the image of the skin taken by the consumer electronics device localizes the location that each depositing part has deposited the possible allergenic substance during the application and provides information in relation with a sensitivity of the skin, as indicated by a visible reaction, to the possible allergenic substance at each localized location.

A blister strip which can be stuck onto the skin, is formed from at least two sheets and has an applicator for applying a medium contained in the blister to the skin, wherein the blister strip includes an upper sheet, with at least one protuberance, wherein the underside of the upper sheet, the underside enclosing the protuberance, is of adhesive configuration. The blister strip has a lower sheet, which covers the lower surface of the blister strip and can be drawn off from the adhesive underside of the upper sheet. The protuberance contains an applicator, separating the protuberance into at least two sub-volumes. Wherein the applicator has at least one opening, which connects two sub-volumes, wherein one sub-volume is located between the applicator and the lower sheet, and wherein at least one sub-volume is entirely surrounded by the inner surface of the protuberance and the applicator, and contains the medium.