asthma workplace prevention

Overview

Asthma is a condition that affects the small tubes in your lungs. These tubes can become swollen and narrow, making it hard to breathe. Workplace prevention means learning about the things in your job that can trigger asthma and taking steps to reduce your contact with them.

Asthma is very common around the world. Work-related asthma is less common than normal asthma, but it still affects many people in certain jobs.

People who work in bakeries, woodworking, manufacturing, cleaning, healthcare, and hairdressing may come into contact with asthma triggers. Smokers and people with allergies are at higher risk.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe)
• A dry or persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness or pain in the chest

Symptoms in children

• Fast breathing or flaring of the nose
• A cough that is worse at night or during play
• Feeling very tired and avoiding playing

Symptoms in older adults

• Shortness of breath during daily activities
• A cough that seems like it won't go away
• Feeling unusually tired or confused when breathing is difficult

Causes

Main causes

• Chemicals like isocyanates used in paints and sprays
• Flour dust in bakeries
• Latex from gloves
• Cleaning products and disinfectants
• Wood dust and dust from metals
• Animal proteins from pets, farm animals, or laboratory animals

Risk factors

• Already having asthma or hay fever
• Smoking or being a former smoker
• Working in a job where exposure is high and protection is poor
• A family history of asthma or allergies

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If your symptoms are not controlled despite following your treatment plan
• If you need to use your relief inhaler very often during the day
• If you can feel an asthma attack coming and your inhaler does not seem to be working

Book a routine appointment if:

• If you notice new or worsening symptoms at work
• If you have a cough, wheeze, or chest tightness that happens on workdays and gets better on days off
• For a regular asthma review with your doctor (at least once a year)

Diagnosis

Your doctor will talk with you about your symptoms, your work history, and when your symptoms happen. They may also check how well your lungs are working with simple breathing tests.

Tests that may be done

• Spirometry: you take a deep breath and blow into a machine to measure your airflow
• Peak flow monitoring: you use a small handheld device to check your breathing each day, often comparing work days and rest days
• Allergy skin or blood tests to look for things in your workplace that might be causing symptoms

What to expect at your appointment

Your doctor may ask you to measure your peak flow at home and at work for a few weeks. You will need to write down the numbers in a diary. This helps show whether your job is linked to your symptoms.

Treatment

The best way to treat work-related asthma is to stop or reduce your contact with whatever is causing it. This can happen together with regular asthma treatments that help keep your airways open and calm.

Self-care at home

• Use the protective equipment your employer provides and learn how to wear it correctly
• Ask about moving away from the trigger area if you can
• Wash your hands and change clothes after work to avoid carrying dust or chemicals
• Keep your work area clean and well ventilated

Medical treatments

Treatment usually involves inhaler medicines. A reliever inhaler works quickly to ease symptoms, while a preventer inhaler is used every day to stop symptoms from starting. Your doctor may also advise allergy treatments or other medicines approved for asthma, but always follow your healthcare team's plan.

Living with this condition

Check your breathing regularly and keep a record of any changes. Try to find out exactly which tasks or substances at work make you worse, and work with your employer to reduce exposure.

Lifestyle tips

• Stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoke
• Manage stress with relaxation or breathing exercises
• Stay up to date with your asthma action plan
• Let your employer and coworkers know about your condition and what they can do to help

Diet and exercise

Eating a balanced diet as part of a healthy overall lifestyle can support your body, but there is no special diet to cure asthma. If you exercise, do it when your symptoms are controlled and keep your relief inhaler nearby if needed.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Worrying about breathing problems at work is normal. Anxiety can make asthma feel worse, so it may help to talk to a counsellor or psychologist to learn to cope with stress.

Prevention

Workplace asthma can often be prevented. The sooner a trigger is removed or controlled, the lower the chance that asthma becomes severe or permanent.

Vaccines

People with asthma may benefit from certain vaccines, such as the annual flu vaccine. Ask your healthcare provider what is recommended for you.

Screening programmes

If you work in a high-risk job, your employer may arrange regular breathing tests. You can also ask your doctor for a lung function test if you are concerned.

Complications

If left untreated

• The airway inflammation can become permanent, leading to lasting damage
• Asthma attacks can become more severe and harder to treat
• You may have to miss work frequently or leave a job you love
• Long-term uncontrolled asthma can reduce your quality of life and exercise capacity

Long-term outlook

The outlook for work-related asthma is very good when it is caught early. Most people can control their symptoms, stay in their jobs with adjustments, and live a normal, active life.

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