Occupational allergies

Occupational allergies include allergic reactions of the body that are triggered or aggravated by allergens in the workplace, for example allergic rhinitis, contact allergy, mold allergy and allergic asthma. Such allergies take up a large portion of occupational illnesses, some of which make it impossible for professionals to continue working.

All occupations that involve inhaling particles or chemicals are at risk for respiratory disease. According to the Allergy Information Service of Helmholtz Zentrum München, about 15 percent of all asthma cases in adults have their cause in the occupational environment. However, skin contact with certain substances can also have consequences. Frequently affected are:

• Baker: By the fine flour dust, which is distributed during the preparation of baked goods not only in the dough, but also in the air, it can come to the so-called "baker's asthma".
• Hairdresser: Vapors from detergents, bleaches and fixatives can cause respiratory problems. In addition, daily handling of these products can lead to contact allergy.
• Cosmetologist:Cosmetic and skin care products often contain fragrances and preservatives that can cause skin irritation.
• Florist and gardener: Plants, fertilizers and pesticides can be triggers of pollen and contact allergies.
• Farmer: Hay fever when processing hay, grain and fodder is not uncommon even among farmers. Farm animal dusts can also burden the respiratory tract and have serious consequences for health.
• LaboratorIn: Chemicals can irritate the mucous membranes and skin. Handling laboratory animals also poses risks for those allergic to animal hair.
• Doctors and nurses:Frequently disinfecting hands, wearing latex gloves and contact with medicines can cause allergies.
• Construction workers:Dust and toxic fumes can cause various allergies.
• Metal and woodworkers:Working on materials creates fine dust particles that can be inhaled without adequate protective equipment and pollute the respiratory tract.
• Waste disposal workers: Here it is often molds that enter the lungs through the respiratory tract and can trigger complaints.
• Cleaners: Cleaning and detergents can lead to contact allergies, which manifest themselves through skin itching and eczema.
• Office workers: Not even at the desk you are safe from allergens. Because also the work environment can make sick, for example, by substances in floors, furniture and work equipment, but also by air conditioning systems that distribute mold spores and other allergens in the rooms.

Although many professions carry a certain allergy risk, this does not mean that everyone also suffers from complaints. Particular caution is required especially for people who already suffer from an allergy.

Over 400 substances have so far been detected in workplaces that lead to allergic reactions of the mucous membranes and skin. The most common allergens include:

• pollen
• organic dusts (e.g. Flour dust, wood dust, farm animal dust, laboratory animal dust, feed dust)
• mold spores
• animal dander
• latex
• metals
• disinfectants
• fragrances
• preservatives
• medicines
• ammonium persulfates
• acid anhydrides
• isocyanates

If you have an allergy, regardless of the type, you should urgently avoid the allergens. Since this is difficult to do in some occupations, there are the following options:

• Have your doctor do an allergy test [https://www.polli-allergie.de/behandlung/allergietest/]. This will tell you which substances your immune system is overreacting to.
• Reduce contact with the allergy trigger as much as you can. Perhaps you can work in a different area, use different products, wear protective suits and gloves, or move to a different office.
• Specific immunotherapy (SIT) can help the body get used to the allergens. However, hyposensitization usually takes about three years and is not a quick solution for acute symptoms.
• If the symptoms occur only on isolated days when you come into contact with the allergy triggersin, preservative-free nasal sprays and eye drops, eg. e.g. Pollival® Nasal Spray and Pollival® Eye Drops relieve the acute symptoms.

If an occupational allergy restricts the quality of life and leads to chronic health complaints, there is no other choice but to change your job.

Whoever already suffers from allergies as a young person should think carefully about which profession he wants to - and can - pursue later. Who likes to make fancy hairstyles, but reacts to certain ingredients, will not be happy as a hairdresser. Who suffers from asthma, on the other hand, can not exercise a profession in which a lot of dust is whirled up and in which the wearing of a mouth guard is necessary. 

Often, however, the allergy arises only through the exercise of the profession. If it comes permanently to strong discomfort, threatens lung diseases or painful damage to the skin, the change to an allergen-free activity is necessary for the good of their own health. Information and tips for dealing with occupational allergies are provided by occupational physicians and professional associations, among others.