Helpful clues in the evaluation of occupational asthma

Does the patient have any of the following pulmonary or extrapulmonary symptoms:

Dyspnea, cough, chest tightness, wheeze, sputum that began or worsened after workplace exposure
Rhinitis or conjunctivitis that is worse at work; may have preceded or may be contemporaneous with asthma
Rash associated with work exposure

Did symptoms develop after starting new employment or with new exposure?

Is the patient exposed to vapors, gas, fumes, or dust at work?

Does the patient feel better when away from work (evenings, weekends, or vacation)?

Do other people at work have similar symptoms or have people left work because of symptoms?

Does the patient work in any of the following settings or occupations*:

Bakery
Cleaning
Dental work; health care
Dock work; coffee, food, fish, or tobacco processing; detergent manufacturing
Greenhouse work
Jewelry work
Hairdressing
Laboratory animals; veterinary work; farming
Pharmaceutical manufacturing or processing
Plastics, lacquer, or epoxy manufacturing; roofing; spray painting
Welding; metal or chemical work
Wood working; carpentry

* The list of workplace exposures associated with occupational asthma is much longer; the settings listed are just a sampling. Refer to UpToDate content on causes of occupational asthma.

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Helpful clues in the evaluation of occupational asthma