Question
What is the purpose of preparing penicillin skin test solution?
Answer
The penicillin skin test solution needs to be prepared at the time of use because the content of penicillin acid in the water solution increases by about 200 times after being stored at 37°C for 24 hours. Additionally, the pH value of the solution decreases with the increase of temperature, drug concentration, and storage time, which can lead to the aggregation reaction of penicillin, forming large molecular polymers with sensitizing properties. If this skin test solution is used, false positive reactions may occur, and it is easy to trigger anaphylactic shock. Therefore, after the penicillin skin test solution is prepared, it should be stored in a low-temperature environment and limited to use on that day only.