Allergens

One of the most common health concerns in the laboratory animal setting is a work-associated allergy. The risk of developing an allergy depends on parameters such as species, facility, ventilation and the employee's "base-line" health status.

The Committee on Occupational Safety and Health in Research Animal Facilities lists four overlapping Risk Groups:

* Normal: No evidence of allergic disease;
* Atopic: Pre-existing allergic disease;
* Asymptomatic: Antibodies to animal allergens;
* Symptomatic: Clinical symptoms on exposure to allergenic animal proteins.

Symptoms of allergic reaction vary depending on the severity of the reaction and include:

* Contact urticaria with symptoms such as: redness, itchiness of skin, welts and hives;
* Allergic conjunctivitis with symptoms such as: sneezing, itchiness, clear nasal drainage, nasal congestion;
* Allergic rhinitis with symptoms such as: sneezing, itchiness, clear nasal drainage, nasal congestion;
* Asthma with symptoms such as: cough, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath;
* Anaphylaxis with symptoms such as: generalized itching, hives, throat tightness, eye or lip swelling, difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea.