The Mantoux test, a common tool for detecting tuberculosis infection, allows people to wash normally after administration without worrying about the result being affected. Experts emphasize that water contact on the skin does not alter the immune reaction measured by the test. The message from specialists is clear: you can shower and maintain good hygiene after the test, but you should avoid any harsh handling of the injection site that could irritate it or distort the reading. This guidance comes from Mikhail Lebedev, a leading expert at the CMD Molecular Diagnostic Center within the Rospotrebnadzor Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, who explains the practical realities of the procedure. (Lebedev)
The Mantoux test is delivered intradermally, and the immunological response is driven by the body’s skin-based reaction to the tuberculin material. Water on the surface does not interfere with this process, so ordinary washing won’t change the outcome. Still, the recommendation is to keep the injection area undisturbed and to avoid aggressive actions that could affect the reading. People are advised to postpone engaging in activities that involve soaking or scrubbing the area intensely until the test results are known. (Lebedev)
Specialists also advise against scanning or rubbing the Mantoux site, applying creams or ointments, or placing adhesive patches on it while the results are pending. The goal is to protect the integrity of the skin reaction and ensure an accurate interpretation. No special preparation is necessary for the Mantoux test itself, beyond general comfort during the procedure. The key consideration is timing: there should be roughly a month between a Mantoux test and any preventive vaccination to avoid potential interference. (Lebedev)
Lebedev also clears up a historical misconception about why it is sometimes suggested to avoid wetting the test. The same caution was originally associated with the Pirquet skin prick test, an earlier tuberculin evaluation method. Tuberculin was applied directly to the skin in that older test, so wetting could indeed affect the result. In 1975, the Perke test was discontinued in the country, paving the way for the Mantoux method to become the standard. As a result, the strict water-related caution became less applicable to current testing, though the Mantoux test still benefits from careful handling to preserve accuracy. (Lebedev)