Diagnostic standards for occupational nasal allergy

Based on studies of 70 outpatients having occupational nasal allergy as well as mass examinations of workers in two industries, diagnostic standards for this condition were evaluated. In practice, interviews concerning the causal relation, frequency, latent period and atopic disposition often provide suggestions, but sometimes give unreliable evidence for the basis by which to diagnose occupational nasal allergy. Both rhinoscopy and nasal smear test for eosinophilia are available, but these only distinguish allergy from non-allergy. Therefore, examinations, such as skin tests, nasal tests and determination of the IgE antibody level, using allergen extract of good quality, are necessary for a final diagnosis.