Allergic to Work?

It’s a funny thing. Soon as I get to work, my nose seems to go into overdrive. The running and sneezing seem to increase.

I’ve always jokingly said I must be allergic to work. But it turns out it might not be a joke – I, like thousands of others, could easily be allergic to work, or at least all the allergens that are floating around the workplace.

What’s in your physical surroundings can easily act as an irritant that causes an allergic reaction.  Dust, of course, is probably one of the main suspects. And it’s not just in the office. There’s dust everywhere – in warehouses, at construction sites, in restaurant kitchens.

In fact, according to the World Health Organization, exposure to dust, gases, or fumes in the workplace environment are responsible for 11 percent of asthma cases worldwide.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Check out these seven common workplace irritants  that can make people sneeze, wheeze, and  itch…or worse, go into anaphylatic shock.

Latex  -  only about 1% of the population have an allergy to latex but this increases with increased exposure which explains why up to 15 percent of health care workers, who regularly wear gloves on the job, are allergic to latex 

Pet Dander -  yes, there are vets, animal walkers and workers who are allergic to pet dander. And with increased and constant exposure, this can get worse instead of better.  Turns out that of all people with allergies, 10 to 15% of them will be allergic to pets.

Beauty Products – this we shouldn’t be surprised about given all the chemicals that are in beauty products.  Hair stylists, nail salon workers or make-up artists often suffer the sneezes plus skin rashes.

Cleaning Supplies – again, no big surprise here. Cleaning agents are full of chemicals that can cause rashes, wheezing, and sneezing.  Plus there’s the added risk of  using latex gloves to protect themselves from the chemicals.

Fragrance Sensitivity – Ever go into a sneezing fit after someone with perfume or cologne walks by?  Then you were suffering from fragrance sensitivity. Okay as long as you can escape, but what if you’re a flight attendent in a plane full of perfumed  passengers. Escape is not an option.

Mice Allergy – not a common problem in most workplaces, but something that lab workers and scientists might have to deal with in their work environment. Of course, my answer to that is ‘free the mice’.

Mold Allergies – unfortunately, a common allergen, even in hospitals. Old buildings in old cities, damp climates, and poor insulation can result in a build up in mood in even the most cleanest places.

Sure makes it sound like going to work isn’t all that  good for your health…

(image from scx.hu)