Using a symptom diary to investigate work-related urticaria.

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Allergology
• Clinical immunology

Background:

• Occupational asthma management often overlooks diary strategies.
• Diary keeping is a recommended approach for occupational asthma.
• This case highlights diary utility in chronic urticaria linked to occupational exposure.

Observation:

• A healthcare worker in a pediatric asthma clinic developed allergic reactions.
• Reactions included eyelid swelling and urticaria on various body parts.
• A symptom diary was employed to correlate reactions with work activities.

Findings:

• The patient reported urticarial symptoms, rhinitis, and wheeze predominantly on workdays (74%) versus non-workdays (28%).
• Statistical analysis revealed a significant association (P < 0.01) between symptom occurrence and workdays.
• The diary effectively captured the link between workplace allergen exposure and allergic reactions.

Implications:

• Standard medical management failed to control the patient's symptoms.
• Symptom resolution occurred after removal from the specific work environment.
• Diary recording confirmed the causal relationship between occupational exposure and allergic symptoms, aiding in diagnosis and management.