Occupational Asthma (cont.)

Occupational Asthma Symptoms

In most people with occupational asthma, the symptoms appear a short time after beginning work and subside after leaving work.

• Many have no symptoms or milder symptoms on days they do not work. The symptoms return when they return to work.
  
  
• In some, the symptoms worsen gradually over the work week, go away over the weekend, and return when the new work week starts.
  
  
• In others, the symptoms are slow to develop and may not be noticed until after leaving work for the day. This pattern makes it difficult to recognize a workplace trigger.
  
  
• In the later stages of the disease, after long-term regular exposure, symptoms may not go away after you leave the workplace. 

These are the most common symptoms of occupational asthma. Most people do not have all these symptoms.

• Coughing
  
  
• Wheezing
  
  
• Chest tightness
  
  
• Chest pain
  
  
• Prolonged shortness of breath
  
  
• Extreme fatigue 

Allergy symptoms that occur at work but get better away from work also may be a sign of irritants in the air that could provoke asthma symptoms. The following symptoms could occur:

• Eyes - Itchy, burning, or watery
  
  
• Nose - Itchy or stuffy, sneezing
  
  
• Skin - Itchy, red, or irritated

Next: When to Seek Medical Care »

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