Work

Occupational Contact Urticaria, Protein Contact Dermatitis and Concomitant Airway Diseases in the F innish R egister of O ccupational D iseases in 2005–2020: Main Causes and Occupations at Risk

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Occupational contact urticaria (OCU) and protein contact dermatitis (PCD) may co-exist with occupational asthma (OA) and occupational rhinitis (OR) and be caused by the same allergen. These diseases are commonly caused by immediate (immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated) allergic sensitisation. Limited data exist on the prevalence and causes of concomitant occupational skin and airway diseases (CSAD). OBJECTIVES: To analyse data from the Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases (FROD) for prevalence, main causes, and at-risk occupations for concomitant occupational skin and airway diseases. METHODS: Data on recognised cases of OCU, PCD, OA and OR in the years 2005-2020 (n = 2413) were retrieved from FROD and analysed. RESULTS: Among OCU/PCD cases, 27% had OA, OR, or both. Conversely, 10% of OA cases and 14% of OR cases had OCU/PCD. Concomitant diseases were most common in farming, animal care, and food-related jobs. Shared causative exposures were identified in 89% of cases, with cow dander, wheat flour, and chemicals being the most frequent. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant occupational skin and airway diseases caused by shared work-related allergens are relatively common. When evaluating patients with occupational immediate allergy, both skin and airway symptoms should be considered.

Source: Contact Dermatitis

DOI: 10.1111/cod.70137

Authors: Ville Ojanen, Liisa Airaksinen, Hille Suojalehto, Kirsi Koskela, Maria Pesonen

Institution: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health

Language: English

Topic: Occupational exposure and asthma

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,060