My Nasal Symptoms Seem Worse While, Could The Building Be Responsible?

I work in an office building with sealed windows, and my nasal symptoms seem worse while I’m there. Could the building be responsible?

Many patients note that their symptoms mainly occur, or worsen, while they are at work. This condition is referred to as occupational rhinitis. The most common causes of work-related symptoms are airborne irritants. Common examples of irritants in the workplace include wood dust (carpenters), paper dust (office workers), textile dusts (clothing manufacturers), smoke (firefighters), cleaning fluids (janitors), quick-drying glues (furniture makers), and paint (painters).

It is important to know that these substances do not cause true allergic reactions, and therefore suitable skin and blood allergy tests cannot be performed. Common examples of true allergens that cause rhinitis in the workplace include animal fur (labo-ratory workers and veterinarians), wheat flour (bakers), and plant pollens (gardeners).

Occupational rhinitis

Rhinitis that is associ-ated with an individ-ual’s work environment.