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Allergy in the Workplace: Are You at Risk?

Allergy in the Workplace: Are You at Risk?

Occupational allergies are those that occur due to exposure to different substances present in the workplace, with the improvement of symptoms on weekends or on holiday.

The pathogenic mechanism involved in occupational allergies is immunological, ie there is the participation of antibodies (IgE, IgM or IgG), immunocomplexes or cell-mediated (specific T lymphocytes).

These may be respiratory allergies occupational asthma and rhinitis), or involving the skin through occupational contact dermatitis. The following explains the characteristics of each of these occupational allergies:

Occupational asthma

Occupational respiratory allergy is considered to be the most prevalent, accounting for 26% to 52% of occupational respiratory diseases in industrialized countries. There may be two situations:

a) Being an allergy initiated with exposure to the workplace;

b) Or being an aggravated picture in the work environment, ie in this case the patient has resumed a history of asthma that occurred in childhood.

The most common form is with a latency period, ie symptoms may appear from weeks to several months after exposure of the causative agent. Normally it is caused by substances such as:

  • Flour - bakers and millers
  • Animal proteins - laboratory technicians, animal handlers
  • Latex - nurses and doctors
  • Anhydrides - professionals working with plastics and epoxy resin
  • Isocyanates - professionals working with paints, plastics, foams and rubbers
  • Platinum salts - who works in refineries and welders.

The immunological mechanism involved may be IgE dependent or non-IgE mediated. In occupational asthma without latency period, most often the mechanism involved is non-immunological and is triggered by exposure to smoke and toxic gases such as ammonia and hydrochloric acid.

Self-related susceptibility factors are involved in the onset of occupational asthma, such as smoking and atopy (susceptibility to asthma, allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis)

clinical condition is worsening of the patient's symptoms at work, indicating improvement at weekends and holidays.

Regarding treatment, the removal of exposure to the causative agent is essential to obtain improvement of symptoms. In addition to the treatment of asthma with medication according to consensuses and guidelines, it is possible to use protective equipment and environmental measures that allow the worker to maintain his profession in favorable conditions. In this type of rhinitis, there are nasal symptoms in the presence of substances in the working environment that may cause the patient to return to the workplace, or to reduce the exposure time and improve the ventilation conditions in the work area.

Occupational rhinitis

can trigger nasal itching, sneezing, runny nose and / or nasal obstruction. It may involve immunological or non-immunological mechanisms.

It can be classified as follows:

1) Inconvenient:

The patient has high olfactory sensitivity, reporting symptoms after exposure of substances such as detergents and Perfumes. Common in people working in supermarkets and department stores. 2) Irritant:

Symptoms of rhinitis occur without involving specific immunological mechanisms. This can occur with environmental pollutants (in the case of street workers), cigarette smoke, cold air (for people working in refrigerators), hair spray, talc, among others ... 3) Corrosive:

There is intense inflammation of the nasal mucosa after exposure to gases and irritants such as chlorine and ammonia. 4) Allergic:

Involves IgE mediated mechanism. It is caused by latex (health professionals), mice (laboratory technicians), acid anhydrides (workers with epoxy resin), platinum (jewelry artisans) and isocyanates (painters). Treatment is similar to that of asthma

Occupational dermatitis

Occupational dermatitis is a skin disorder caused by exposure to substances in the working environment. In this case the cutaneous lesion develops for the first time when the patient is working. The skin lesion should improve as the individual withdraws from work and worsens with return.

The contact dermatitis that the patient develops is related to a causative agent that can be identified by contact test. Atopy is considered a risk factor for occupational skin diseases. Contact dermatitis can be caused by primary irritants or may be allergic.

Examples of sensitizing elements in certain groups of workers:

1)

Workers dealing with cosmetics: aniline, turkey balm, perfume mix , formaldehyde, thimerosal 2)

Workers dealing with rubber and plastic: latex, PPD mix, epoxy resin 3)

Leather workers: Azocorants, 4)

Employees working with metals: nickel sulfate and cobalt chloride Professions such as druggists, hairdressers, dressmakers, cooks, dentists, nurses, photographers, manicures, makeup artists, mechanics, bakers, masons, painters, cobblers, construction workers or industries may present occupational contact dermatitis and should seek the specialist to identify the causative agent and seek quality of life in their work environment .


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