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Occupational Rhinitis: an Update

  • Occupational Allergies (JA Poole, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Occupational rhinitis is characterized by nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, nasal itching, and/or sneezing that occur secondary to exposures in the workplace. This disease can be classified into allergic or nonallergic subgroups based upon the underlying disease pathogenesis as well as the type of causative agent. While the true prevalence of occupational rhinitis is unknown, there are certain professions and occupational exposures that place workers at a higher risk for developing the disease. Additionally, occupational rhinitis can be associated with occupational asthma and upper airway symptoms may precede those of the lower respiratory tract. Taken together, occupational rhinitis is an important disease for study given its medical as well as socioeconomic implications. This review will focus on the classification of occupational rhinitis as well the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.

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Conflict of Interest

Leslie Grammer reports grants from the NIH, the Bazley Foundation, Food Allergy Network, and S&C Electric; is a consultant for Astellas Pharmaceuticals; has given paid lectures at AAAAI and Mount Sinai; and receives royalties from Lippincott, BMJ, and Elsevier. Whitney Stevens reports no disclosures.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Allergy-Immunology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 211 E Ontario St, Suite 1010, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Whitney W. Stevens & Leslie C. Grammer III

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  1. Whitney W. Stevens
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  2. Leslie C. Grammer III
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Correspondence to Leslie C. Grammer III.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Occupational Allergies

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Stevens, W.W., Grammer, L.C. Occupational Rhinitis: an Update. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 15, 487 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-014-0487-8

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