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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration of what happens during an asthma attack Asthma attack

Occupational asthma symptoms are similar to those caused by other types of asthma. Signs and symptoms may include:

  • Wheezing, sometimes just at night
  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest tightness

Other possible accompanying signs and symptoms may include:

  • Runny nose
  • Nasal congestion
  • Eye irritation and tearing

Occupational asthma symptoms vary from person to person and depend on the substance you're exposed to, how long and how often you're exposed, your body's individual reaction, and other factors. Your symptoms may vary and can include symptoms that:

  • Get worse as the workweek progresses, go away during weekends and vacations, and recur when you return to work.
  • Occur both at work and away from work.
  • Start right after exposure to an asthma-inducing substance at work.
  • Start after months or even years of regular exposure to an asthma-inducing substance.
  • Continue after exposure is stopped. The longer you're exposed to the asthma-causing substance, the more likely you'll have long-lasting or permanent asthma symptoms.

When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical treatment if you have worsening symptoms. Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Signs of an asthma attack that needs emergency treatment include:

  • Rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing
  • No improvement even after using short-acting bronchodilators
  • Shortness of breath with minimal activity

Make an appointment to see a doctor if you have breathing problems, such as coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath. Breathing problems may be a sign of asthma, especially if symptoms seem to be getting worse over time or appear to be aggravated by specific triggers or irritants.

Causes Definition
References
  1. Occupational asthma. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec05/ch057/ch057h.html?qt=occupational%20asthma&alt=sh. Accessed Jan. 28, 2011.
  2. Malo J. Diagnosis and clinical assessment of asthma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 28, 2011.
  3. Tarlo SM. Occupational exposures and adult asthma. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America. 2008;28:563.
  4. Dykewicz MS. Occupational asthma: Current concepts in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:519.
  5. Bardana EJ. Occupational asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2008;121:S408.
  6. Maestrelli P, et al. Mechanisms of occupational asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:531.
  7. Mapp CE, et al. Occupational asthma. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2005;172:280.
  8. Smith AM, et al. Management of work-related asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:551.
  9. Balkissoon R. Asthma overview. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2008;35:41.
  10. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. Bethesda, Md.: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.pdf. Accessed Jan. 28, 2011
  11. Updated information on leukotriene inhibitors: Montelukast (marketed as Singulair), zafirlukast (marketed as Accolate), and zileuton (marketed as Zyflo and Zyflo CR). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/DrugSafetyInformationforHeathcareProfessionals/ucm165489.htm. Accessed Feb. 5, 2011.
  12. Kealoha MK. What's new in alternative therapies for asthma in children? Journal of Community Health Nursing. 2009;26:198.
  13. Engler RJ, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine for the allergist-immunologist:Where do I start? Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:309.
  14. Li XM, et al. Efficacy and mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese medicines for treating asthma and allergy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:297.
  15. Ernst E. Spinal manipulation for asthma: A systematic review of randomised clinical trials. Respiratory Medicine. 2009;103:1791.
  16. OSHA frequently asked questions. Occupational Safety & Health Administration. http://www.osha.gov/OSHA_FAQs.html. Accessed Feb. 5, 2011.
DS00591 May 19, 2011

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