Occupational Allergy

Occupational Allergy It appears that about one percent of all workers develop an allergy, usually of the skin. When the allergenic substance is volatile and inhaled, asthmatic symptoms may develop. Men seem more susceptible to occupational allergy than women, possibly because women tend to clean their skin more thoroughly. Cuts, abrasions, and rashes may predispose to occupational allergies. There is virtually no end to sub- stances that can produce occupational allergies. Some are natural substances such as wool and foodstuffs; some are highly complex new chemical molecules corning from the expanding chemical industry.

Trunk : Clothing, sanitary belts, dispensary underwear, nightclothes, brushing materials, soaps, perfumes, h.ith salts, massage creams. Anal area: Rectal suppositories, douches, enema substances, ingested foods, topical meticulous, underwear, sanitary napkins, toilet paper, toilet seats. Vaginal area: Douches, contraceptive jellies, suppositories, sanitary napkins, perfumes, deodorants, peccaries. Penis and scrotal area: Condoms, prophylactic agents, fabric finishes and dyes in undergarments, pajamas. Legs: Materials and dyes of clothes; coins and other metallic objects carried in trouser pockets; garters. Feet: Shoes, socks, shoe polishes, galoshes, fur linings, ankle bracelets, medications, rubbers, cements, pastes.  

Laundry workers get sensitized to detergents (as do housewives). Printers are exposed to allergenic dyes, gum arable, and metals. In other occupations dusts from grains, plastics, and wood can afflict nose or lungs; fumes from metals and liquids can do the same. In the textile industry, workers may be exposed to countless dyes to which they may become sensitized. And the fixative for dyes contains chromium, a chemical that is often allergenic.

Wool and other materials may be offenders. The cosmetics industry is a source of many allergenic substances. Not only workers in plants but salespeople who demonstrate cosmetics in stores may develop allergies to them. The health professions have their allergies. Pharmacists may become sensitized to medicines they handle in filling prescriptions.