Occupational allergy belongs to those ailments or diseases that are triggered by exposure to allergenic materials in the work atmosphere. The hypersensitive disorders that may be developed as a result of exposure to allergic components in the work environment are rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and skin diseases, such as contact urticaria and contact dermatitis.
Occupational asthma is asthma that’s caused by breathing in chemical fumes, gases, dust or other substances on the job. Occupational asthma can result from exposure to a substance you’re sensitive to — causing an allergic or immunological response — or to an irritating toxic substance.
Coping Methods For Occupational Asthma
Occupational asthma accounts for 5–25% of all adult asthma cases and is responsible for a significant socioeconomic burden. The coping mechanism of occupational asthma can be considerably optimized based on the present knowledge of causes, risk factors, pathomechanisms, and realistic and effective interventions. To reach this goal we urgently require greatly intensified primary preventive measures and improved case management.
The prevention and treatment of occupational asthma require environmental interventions, including education on behavioral changes to avoid asthma triggers, along with drug therapies and careful medical follow-up. Whether you can avoid the things that trigger or worsen your asthma at work will depend on where you work and what you do there.
If you suspect that your asthma is caused by conditions at work or if it worsens at work, talk to your allergist, who may recommend steps or take refresher lessons you can do to stay away from causes or lessen their intensity.1,2
Medications For Occupational Asthma
When your health care provider recommends you take some medicines, you should be aware of the medicines and clear with the statements why are you using the medicine and also understand how to take the medicines properly. Most physicians advise taking long-term medications on an everyday routine. Anti-inflammatory drugs are the most effective and commonly used long-term control medications for asthma.
They reduce swelling and tightening in your airways. However, when you feel you don’t have much breathing difficulties, the duration might vary. Nevertheless, rescue medication is typically used when you have a sudden attack.
Inhalers For Occupational Asthma
Asthma leads to inflammation and swelling of the airways and narrowing of the airways in the lungs. This is what prohibits your normal breathing when asthma attacks start. When you breathe in the medication in your inhaler, the airways relax allowing your breathing to return to normal.
When you have an asthma attack your blue reliever inhaler gets the medicine straight to your lungs, so it can quickly relax the muscles surrounding your airways. It lowers infection in the airways that can behave as a causing factor for occupational asthma, and therefore can lower the episodes of attacks. The air passages should open much better, making it easier to breathe again.
Beclometasone is commonly called a ‘preventer’ medicine and comes in a brown inhaler. It is important that your child takes it regularly to help prevent asthma attacks.3,4
Preventer inhalers can take up to 2 weeks for the effects of controller medication to kick in, or up to 2 months in children. Because of this, it’s important to continue using your controller inhaler as prescribed, even if you feel no immediate improvement.
An important part of managing your asthma is being able to recognize when your symptoms are getting worse. Treatment for an asthma attack usually starts at home. By treating early, you might be able to prevent a severe attack.
Similarly, the education of workers is also very important. Proper management techniques, averting of spillages and decent home cleaning reduce the incidence of asthma. 5.
- Coping with Asthma – Getting more from Asthma. Net https://asthma.net/coping/
- The Coping with Asthma Study: a randomised controlled trial of an adult https://thorax.bmj.com/content/60/12/1003
- Occupational Asthma – American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.200311-1575SO
- Work Related Asthma – Coping methods and management https://lungontario.ca/a-to-z/work-related-asthma-symptoms
- Guidelines for the management of work-related asthma https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/39/3/529
Also Read:
- Can I Get Disability For Occupational Asthma & How Much Can I Get?
- Is Occupational Asthma A Serious Condition & Can It Be Reversed?
- Can You Die From Occupational Asthma & Is There A Surgery For It?
- How Do You Stop Occupational Asthma From Spreading?
- Lifestyle Changes & Yoga For Occupational Asthma
- What Triggers Occupational Asthma & What Is The Prognosis For It?
- Who Is At Risk For Occupational Asthma & Is There A Blood Test For It?
