SELFCheck Allergy Test

A simple and reliable finger prick blood spot health check that shows if your allergy antibody levels (Immunoglobulin E) are normal or high

Allergy symptoms are often confused with the symptoms of bacterial or viral infections such as rashes, sneezing, sore throat, cough and runny nose.

Allergies are a major trigger of hay fever (rhinitis), eczema, asthma and food sensitivity. People with allergy sensitivities can produce high levels of allergy antibodies in their blood known as immunoglobulin E (IgE).

The SELFCheck Allergy Test is a general test that shows whether the levels of immunoglobuin E antibodies (total IgE) in your blood is higher than normal. Nevertheless, it is important to understand that not everyone with allergies will have a high total IgE level.

If you do have a higher than normal IgE antibody level and/or symptoms that you think might be allergy related, speak with your doctor who can arrange for skin testing or further blood tests to pin-point which specific allergens could be triggering your symptoms.

You don't need to be having symptoms at the the time you do your test.

The SELFCheck Allergy Test is a rapid immunodiagnostic self test kit for the detection of high IgE levels, from a finger prick blood sample, giving a result in just 10 minutes.

The test kit contains;

• 1 test device, 1 plastic pipette and 1 desiccant pouch
  
• 1 small bottle containing 1ml of diluent
  
• 2 sterile lancets to obtain a blood sample
  
• 1 instruction leaflet
  

You will also require a watch or clock with a second hand or a timer, and a clean tissue.

The lancets provided with the SELFCheck Allergy Test are single use. A spare lancet is provided, although should not be required if the instructions are followed as written.

Note: This test is not suitable for children younger than 6 years old as the normal range for very young children is different to older children and adults.

What does your result mean

If you have allergy symptoms and/or a positive result with the SELFCheck Allergy Test you may benefit from further blood tests or skin prick tests from your doctor to find out what the specific triggers could be. Your doctor can use your allergy history to decide which tests, if any, to perform. For example;

Do your symptoms worsen;

• after eating certain foods?
  
• in the Spring? Tree pollens
  
• in the Summer? Grass pollens
  
• in the Autumn? Weed pollens
  
• when making a bed, dusting, cleaning or sneezing first thing in the morning? Dust mites
  
• when entering a room where a pet has been or when close to certain animals? Pet allergies

How does the new SELFCheck Allergy Test compare with the leading competitor