[Obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract caused by industrial allergens (author's transl)]

Obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract caused by allergising substances at the place of work, must be classified and compensated as occupational diseases - provided certain conditions are fulfilled - according to item No. 4301 of the currently valid Industrial Health Insurance legislation. The article discusses the aetiopathogenesis as well as the special features of clinic and diagnosis of occupationally conditioned allergic obstruction of the respiratory tract, previously known as asthma bronchiale. In contrast to "spontaneous" allergy, the occupational cause of the disease is due to the often massive exposition to allergens at the place of work, as well as the frequently aggressive potency of several industrial allergens, these being considered as the actual "shaping" factors. The article stresses the need for early diagnosis, as far as possible already in the is allergic conjunctivitis and rhinitis. Treatment directed at removing the causes includes, fundamentally, prophylaxis against exposure (considering the time during which the allergens remain dormant without triggering an allergy); obviously, this involves change of occupation or place of work, whereas specific treatment aimed at producing hyposensibilisation must remain an exception. The article concludes with a description of the possibilities of prevention mainly from the medical point of view.