This page was last reviewed 21-05-20
Occupational asthma is common and all primary care health professionals will care for patients who are affected.
They characteristically frequently consult their general practitioner or practice nurse.
All adult asthmatics should be asked “do your symptoms improve on days away from work or when you are on holiday”?
Few cases are missed by these questions, but they lack specificity and further tests are required to validate the diagnosis.
All patients with suspected occupational asthma should be referred to a specialist.
The most commonly reported occupations are
- animal handlers
- bakers & pastry makers
- chemical workers
- food processing workers
- hairdressers
- paint sprayers
- nurses and other health professionals;
- timber workers
- welders.
Occupational-style serial measurements of peak expiratory flow (PEF) are possible in primary care but they require enthusiasm and attention to detail to be carried out properly.
PEF measurements should be made at least four-times daily (or even better two-hourly), over four weeks. All waking and sleeping times should be recorded daily in addition to times of starting and stopping work.
Advice and record forms are available on the website www.occupationalasthma.com.
Obtaining the Material Data Safety Sheet of the suspected agent is very helpful.
