title: A simple method for keeping allergenic extracts at a temperature near 4 degrees C during in-office use for skin testing and immunotherapy.
abstract: A method is needed for keeping ragweed pollen aqueous allergenic extracts at a temperature near 4 degrees C while they are in use for skin testing and immunotherapy in order to prevent deterioration in potency from warming. A polystyrene foam icebox is described which can be cooled with sacks of coolant which have been reduced to a temperature of - 17 degrees C in the freezing compartment of a standard refrigerator. Both icebox and coolant can be readily obtained from standard commercial sources and are inexpensive. When sufficient adequately cooled coolant is properly employed, this icebox will maintain the temperatures of allergenic extracts in the desirable range of 2 degrees to 4 degrees C while they are in use for skin testing and immunotherapy.
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011058:Pollen; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens