title: Nasal provocation test in the diagnostics of hairdressers' occupational rhinitis.
abstract: Hairdressers are exposed daily at their work to many different hair chemicals and dandruff. The work-related nasal symptoms are common, especially with hair bleaching and striping. There are some reports on hairdressers asthma, but publications concerning occupational rhinitis among hairdressers are very few. The purpose of this study is to investigate the work-related rhinitis symptoms of hairdressers, and to study whether nasal provocation tests (NPTs) can be applied in diagnostics. The study subjects were 40 hairdressers having work-related rhinitis symptoms. Detailed work and exposure histories and work-related symptoms were inquired of using a questionnaire. Prick tests were done. Altogether 142 NPTs were done: 40 placebo, 36 dandruff, 35 ammonium persulphate (APS), and 31 ammonium thioglycolate (ATG). To register the nasal response rhinorrhea and nasal blockage were scored. In 3 allergen NPTs there was an essential change in the nasal status: in 2 APS and in 1 dandruff tests. Three patients were diagnosed as having an occupational rhinitis. The low number of positive reactions in NPTs and few positive reactions in skin prick tests verified that immediate allergy caused by hairdressers' work substances is uncommon. However, in cases of clear work-related rhinitis, there is a need to perform examinations to find the probable allergy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hytönen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leino
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sala
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kanerva
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tupasela
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Malmberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000645:Ammonium Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects; D001461:Barbering; D005260:Female; D006203:Hair Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012535:Scalp; D012882:Skin Tests; D013864:Thioglycolates / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D006203:Hair Preparations; D013864:Thioglycolates; C031276:ammonium peroxydisulfate; C017487:2-mercaptoacetate; D000645:Ammonium Sulfate