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Hay Fever Allergy Test Instructions

This test can be used at any time of the year. You do not need to be having an allergic reaction at the time of testing. Many people believe that allergies are responsible for their symptoms. However, 60% of people do not have any detectable sensitivity. The first step to take is to identify whether your symptoms are likely to be caused by an allergy or not.

Why do I need this test?

Identification of the cause of your symptoms is essential if you wish to avoid contact with allergens and therefore reducing your allergy symptoms.

Some people can have abnormally high allergy antibody levels but have up to now suffered no symptoms. They may be able to cope through the presence of protective antibodies, or they rarely come into contact with the offending allergen that could trigger their symptoms. However, they may develop symptoms later in life and early detection enables avoidance measures to be taken.

How long will it take before I can read the result?

Results can be read within 30 minutes.

What is the difference between home tests and those done by a doctor?

Imutest is based on the same technology used by your doctor.

Before you begin:

This test kit should be stored and used at normal room temperature.

Read the instructions thoroughly before performing the test.
Wash your hands with soap and rinse well with warm water, drying with a clean towel. It is important that your hands are warm as this improves the blood flow.
Open the foiled pouch containing the test unit - do not pull or move the blue lever until instructed.
Open the pack containing the sterile finger pricker (lancet) and blood transfer tube and place all items on a clean level surface together with the developer solution bottle.

Performing the test:

Obtaining the blood sample:

This is simple and causes little discomfort. Only a few drops of blood are required, do not use the finger pricker if the yellow tab is missing.

Using gentle pressure, massage the finger from which the sample is to be taken (the middle or ring finger is the best) by gently working the thumb of your free hand up to the tip of the finger.
Pull off the yellow tab from the finger pricker.
Press the finger pricker very firmly against the soft pad of your finger tip and press the white button on the pricker- this releases a very short needle, enough only to prick the skin. It is important to press the finger pricker firmly against the fingertip otherwise the skin will not be punctured.

Using a dry tissue, wipe away the first sign of blood.
Holding the punctured site downwards, with palm of hand facing upwards, continue to gently massage the finger until a large drop of blood appears.
Touch the blood drop against the narrow end of the blood transfer tube, this will collect the sample automatically.
Continue adding blood to the transfer tube until the blood fills the tip to the blue dot.
Gently, place the narrow end of the transfer tube into the sample well (marked with a picture of a blood drop) on the test unit until all the blood is soaked up by the well.
Wait approximately 1 minute then discard the transfer tube.
Carefully unscrew the cap from the developer solution bottle and pour all the contents of the developer bottle into the large well, just below the sample well.
Do not move or pick up the test once the developer solution has been added.
After exactly 10 minutes pick up the test unit, keeping it horizontal, and pull the blue sliding until you feel it click into place.

Place the test unit back on a level surface and leave undisturbed. Wait at least a further 20 minutes before reading your result. The "test complete" window will change colour to pink when the test is complete.

Results

Deciding whether you have normal or higher than normal levels of allergy antibodies is determined by comparing the intensity of the control band (square symbol)with the test band (triangle symbol). A faint pink line will appear opposite the square symbol on the test unit. This is used for comparison. No band should be visible opposite the circle symbol.

Hay_Fever_Allergy_Test_4

Positive Result

A pink or red band opposite the triangle symbol that is similar or darker than the control band (square) indicates that higher than normal levels of allergy antibodies have been detected.

Some individuals may see positive results within 5 minutes after pulling the blue lever, this is due to very high levels of allergy antibodies being present in the blood. It is necessary to wait 20 minutes to confirm a normal result.

Negative Result

A band of less intensity (lighter) than the control band indicates normal levels of allergy antibodies are present. There may be no line visible if the antibody level is very low and this is a good indication that you are unlikely to suffer from an allergy.

After 20 minutes there will be no further change of result.

For this test result to be meaningful it is important that you have experienced symptoms and risk factors at some time during your life.