Question 1

how is the ppd skin test measured?

Accepted Answer

Size of induration: The tuberculosis skin test (PPD) is measured between 48-72 hrs after placement. The area of induration (palpable, raised, hardened area) around the site of injection is measured and this represents the reaction to tuberculin.

Question 2

had a ppd skin test and the result is 10 mm the reference says 5 to 10 is borderline. and i don't get it what they mean and what to do next ?

Accepted Answer

See details: A 10 mm test is a positive result. Ask your doctor to order a Quantiferon Gold TB blood test. If this test is positive, you have been exposed to TB.

Question 3

what does it mean if ppd tuberculin skin test came out positive?

Accepted Answer

See below: If your PPD is positive you need a chest x-ray and a screening by your doctor.  At your age, if your chest x-ray is normal and you have no risk factors you may not need any treatment.  If you have risk factors, treatment of latent TB has become much easier in the last year.  If you are determined to have active TB you can be cured with 6 months of TB therapy.

Question 4

ppd skin test, negative, no reaction and swelling (72 hrs). the test was taken in last tuesday morning, 9am, now it gets swelling and itch. positive?

Accepted Answer

Delayed onset ppd: This could represent a positive reaction. Their is a besst confirmatory test called a quantiferon-gold test which is a gamma-interferon release assay for tb. It has some limitations but if positive is very accurate for diagnosis, ask an infectious disease specialist about this if your pcp does not know about this test.

Question 5

my ppd skin test looks like a mosquito bite, why?

Accepted Answer

That is a pretty: Normal reaction. To determine if you are PPD positive , you will be checked for induration (not  an overt bump).

Question 6

what's the best treatment for a positive ppd skin test?

Accepted Answer

Tuberculosis: Ppd (purified protein derivative) is a test for exposure to tuberculosis.  If you have a postive test, you have been exposed and your body is making antibodies.  If your exposure was through a vaccine (called bcg) treatment might not be necassary.  More likely, a chest xray will be ordered.  If that shows evidence of disease, then several drugs will be given over several months to cure it.

Question 7

question about nursing - how often do hospital nurses check ppd skin tests on themselves?

Accepted Answer

Yearly: Required that all health care professionals are tested for PPD every year.

Question 8

i am 5 weeks pregnant and  get an annual ppd skin test for employment? is there any harm to the baby if i get the ppd test?

Accepted Answer

Abnormal: Skin test could be falsely negative.

Question 9

dr martin raffi had ppd test last year for immigration request. not sure ppd or tstthey inject into skin. place on my hand red. make tb reactive?

Accepted Answer

Tuberculosis: No. This is not a sign of reactivation. A positive PPD is determined by the size of the diameter of hardness under the skin at the site of injection in 24 and 48 hrs. The significance of the size will depend upon who you are and your health status and age.  The only purpose of the test is to determine whether you have living TB bacteria in your body. They are often inactive.

Question 10

got ppd allergy it became a blister but it dried off after a week of using aloevera and hydrocortisone cream before that on it. it was itchy so i peeled off the scaly dead skin... how to treat the raw skin under?
btw i got it from black henna tattoo

Accepted Answer

Antibiotic ointment: If the area is raw, you may apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin, available over the counter.
Wish you good health! - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex. 
Get HPV vaccine

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Doctor answers about:

Ppd skin testing

A member asked:

How is the ppd skin test measured?

A member asked:

Had a ppd skin test and the result is 10 mm the reference says 5 to 10 is borderline. and i don't get it what they mean and what to do next ?

A member asked:

What does it mean if ppd tuberculin skin test came out positive?

A member asked:

Ppd skin test, negative, no reaction and swelling (72 hrs). the test was taken in last tuesday morning, 9am, now it gets swelling and itch. positive?

A member asked:

My ppd skin test looks like a mosquito bite, why?

A member asked:

What's the best treatment for a positive ppd skin test?

A member asked:

Question about nursing - how often do hospital nurses check ppd skin tests on themselves?

A member asked:

I am 5 weeks pregnant and get an annual ppd skin test for employment? is there any harm to the baby if i get the ppd test?

A member asked:

Dr martin raffi had ppd test last year for immigration request. not sure ppd or tstthey inject into skin. place on my hand red. make tb reactive?

A member asked:

Got ppd allergy it became a blister but it dried off after a week of using aloevera and hydrocortisone cream before that on it. it was itchy so i peeled off the scaly dead skin... how to treat the raw skin under? btw i got it from black henna tattoo

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