The TB skin test, known as the Mantoux test, has been the main method for detecting tuberculosis. The Mantoux test injects a small amount of tuberculin (purified, protein-derivative PPD) in the skin on the forearm. Within 48-72 hours, the patient must revisit a medical professional for examination of the forearm. However, the test is not always reliable, as sometimes there are inaccurate readings. The pitfalls to the tests are the false positive and false negative results. For this reason, the tuberculin skin test is only recommended for high-risk children and adults.

 Some families have refused the TB skin test on several grounds. The reasons cited include a refusal to have the tuberculin bacteria injected into the body, reports that the skin test is totally inaccurate and can lead to false-positive or false-negative results, and lack of confidence in medical professionals being able to properly interpret a skin test.