Like other types of asthma, occupational asthma can cause chest tightness, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

When treated early, occupational asthma may be reversible.

Long-term exposure to allergy-causing substances can cause worsening symptoms and lifelong asthma.

Occupational asthma symptoms are similar to those because of other types of asthma.

Your symptoms may:

Seek immediate medical treatment if your symptoms worsen.

Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening.

More than 300 workplace substances have been identified as possible causes of occupational asthma.

These substances include:

Asthma symptoms start when your lungs become irritated (inflamed).

Inflammation causes several reactions that restrict the airways, making breathing difficult.

But your risk is higher if you work in certain occupations.

In some cases, exposure to airborne asthma triggers can cause permanent lung changes and lifetime asthma symptoms.

You’re likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner.

Or you may start by seeing a doctor who specializes in asthma (allergist-immunologist or pulmonologist).

Here’s some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

Your doctor may ask you to perform lung function tests.

Your doctor has you inhale a bronchodilator drug used in asthma treatment, then retake the spirometry test.

If your measurements improve significantly, it’s likely you have asthma.

The slower you are able to exhale, the worse your condition.

You’ll likely be asked to use your peak flow meter at selected intervals during working and nonworking hours.

If your breathing improves significantly when you’re away from work, you may have occupational asthma.

Nitric oxide test.This test is used to see how much nitric oxide gas is in your breath.

A high level of nitric oxide can be a sign of asthma.

Your doctor may do tests to see whether you have a reaction to specific substances.

These include:

Avoiding the workplace irritant that causes your symptoms is critical.

You may need medications to control your symptoms and prevent asthma attacks.

Treating asthma involves both preventing symptoms and treating an asthma attack in progress.

In most cases, these medications need to be taken daily.

They are the most commonly prescribed long-term asthma medications.

You may need to use these medications for several days to weeks before you achieve maximum benefit.

Inhaled corticosteroids have a relatively low risk of side effects and are generally safe for long-term use.

A fungal infection in your mouth or throat is the most common side effect.

you’ve got the option to usually prevent that by rinsing your mouth after inhaling these drugs.

They help prevent asthma symptoms for up to 24 hours.

Seek medical advice right away for any unusual reaction.

LABAs pop launch the airways and reduce inflammation.

However, they’ve been linked to severe asthma attacks.

LABAs should only be taken in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid.

Theophylline.This is a daily pill that helps keep the airways open (bronchodilator).

Theophylline (Theo-24, Elixophyllin, others) relaxes the muscles around the airways to make breathing easier.

It’s not used as often now as in past years because more-effective medications are available.

Allergy treatments include:

Long-term asthma control medicationssuch as inhaled corticosteroidsare the cornerstone of asthma treatment.

If you do have an asthma flare-up, a quick-relief inhaler can ease your symptoms right away.

Keep a record of how many puffs you use each week.

If you better use your quick-relief inhaler more often than your doctor recommends, see your doctor.

You probably need to adjust your long-term control medication.

This is a document that must be submitted by the chemical’s manufacturer to your employer.

You have a legal right to see and copy such documents.

While at work, be alert for unsafe and unhealthy working conditions and report them to your supervisor.

If necessary, call OSHA at 800-321-OSHA (800-321-6742) and ask for an on-site inspection.

you could do this so that your name won’t be revealed to your employer.

Updated: 2014-06-12

Publication Date: 2005-05-25