Overview
Occupational asthma should be suspected in all adults with new-onset asthma. This is a form of asthma caused by the workplace triggered by stimuli that may or may not be allergenic. It may be helpful to ask the following:
- Are symptoms better on days away from work?
- Are symptoms better on holiday?
Causes
- Isocyanates (used in making foams/fibres/paints etc.)
- Flour and grains
- Adhesives
- Metals
- Resins
- Animal exposure
Investigations
- Serial peak flow measurements at work and away from work
Management
- 1st-line: refer all patients with suspected occupational asthma to a respiratory specialist
