What Is the Medical Term ID?

When a person receives a shot, injection or vaccination, it can be administered into different layers of tissue just below the skin. The term "ID," for intradermal, refers to the top tissue layer just below the skin.

Definition

• The ID tissue layer is directly under the skin.

  There are three layers of tissue that are just below the skin. PATH, the global health company, explains the structure of these tissues: "These tissue layers are intradermal, subcutaneous and intramuscular. Subcutaneous and intramuscular are the most common for vaccines."

Method

• ID vaccinations are inserted perpendiculalry into the skin.

  Vaccinations usually are given in muscle rather than tissue. Science Candy describes how an ID vaccination is done: "The ID method uses a narrow 1.5 mm needle which is inserted perpendicularly into the skin rather than into deeper tissues beneath the skin or muscle."

Considerations

• There can be side effects from an ID shot or vaccine.

  There can be side effects from using an intradermal shot or vaccination. Science Candy sites the problem of "increased local inflammation and redness."

Function

• ID is used with allergy testing.

  The intradermal technique also is used frequently with people and dogs in testing for allergies. Health Central reports that "intradermal allergy testing is another method of skin testing to help determine whether an individual is allergic to a specific allergen. The allergen is injected under the surface of the skin."

Advantages

• ID allergy testing offers more consistent results

  There are advantages to using ID in allergy testing. According to Health Central, "The intradermal test is more sensitive than the skin prick test and can usually provide more consistent results."