The sweat test is a non-invasive procedure. It generally involves three main steps:
Stimulation: A chemical called pilocarpine is applied to a small area of the skin, usually on the forearm. An electrode is then used to stimulate the sweat glands.
Collection: Sweat is collected on a piece of gauze or filter paper over a period of about 30 minutes.
Analysis: The collected sweat is sent to a laboratory where the chloride concentration is measured.