PPD Test Reaction

[wkate]

Hello, I have a question about reactions to the PPD test. I received mine yesterday, and this morning when I looked at it, there is 12-13mm area of redness around the injection site which is very slightly raised. Around that area, there is a smaller, lighter 3-4mm boarder. Is this considered a positive reaction? I go on Monday to have the area read.

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

Not necessarily. If you scratch the area because it itches or if you are allergic to it, that can happen. But, if you aren't, then it's possible that you have been exposed. Wait for the full time though to draw conclusions.

[kids]

A PPD is considered positive if it meets a specific criteria 48-72 hours after it's administered, color is not one of the criteria used to determine if the test is negative or positive. A PPD site can undergo a lot of changes in the time between administration and reading. CDC | TB | Fact Sheets - Tuberculin Skin Testing for TB

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

agree, with kids. The redness happens to like everyone, but the small swelling...those PPDs are itchy and if you scratch the area it can happen. I have seen that happen a lot.

When I got mine, it took a lot for me not to scratch.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Ask for preservative free next time...mine always got like that.

[wkate]

Thank you for all of the responses!! I'm just a little worried because I've had at least 3 other PPDs done in years prior, and I've never reacted like this before. Hopefully it'll clear up by tomorrow. Thank you again :)

[aachavez]

Whenever I have mine done, i do get a large area of redness that will last a couple weeks before it finally fades away completely. What is measured is if there is a bump or raised reaction. It was hard not to scratch at it, and the dr's office also told me that wearing long sleeves or rubbing against things like tables can cause that redness, but shouldn't affect your results.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I tell my patients to ignore what the PPD site looks like for the first two days after I place it because it may go through a variety of shapes, sizes and colors: I tell them to be concerned with the site only after I read it. So try not to worry about it until Monday.

For the last PPD I had, it was negative (no induration) but the redness lasted four weeks and was the size of a quarter. Then again, I can bruise if you look at me the wrong way.