Skin tests
All children underwent skin prick testing (SPT) to common aeroallergens
for our region (4), including house-dust mites (Dermatophagoides
pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae ), grass pollen mix
(Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne,
Festuca pratensis, and Avena eliator) weed pollen mix (Artemisia,
Urtica, Taraxacum, Plantago) tree pollen mix (Alnus glutinosa, Corylus
avellane, Populus alba, Ulmus minor, Betula alba) molds (Alternaria,
Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus) and animal dander (cat and
dog). Histamine (10 mg/ml of histamine phosphate) and 0.9% saline were
used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Weal 3 mm greater
than negative control was considered a positive reaction.