Allergies in high O2 concentrated areas

since working on a high dependacy unit for the last 12 months , i have suffered more and more with my sinus's , chest ,and sneezing in general is there any evidence that working in high o2 concentrated areas , or areas that use respiratory ventilation ie ,bipap , cpap machines . can cause allergies . it is a small four bedded unit that as two air conditioning vent, i do not sneeze or weeze as much when i am at home . any advice is welcome thanks sarah morgan ..

Occupational Asthma, Specialist, 2/20/2006, 2/20/2006,

Asthma and rhinitis in workers in high dependancy units is quite common. Latex from gloves is the most common cause. It can also occasionally be due to nebulised drugs (eg pentamidine or antibiotics) sterilising agents such as cidex and floor cleaning materials. Air from contaminated air-conditioning units would be a rare cause. It is very unlikely that the oxygen levels in the air would be raised by a few patients being given high levels of oxygen to breathe, it would not cause asthma or rhinitis even if it did. Bipap and Cpap machines would also not cause asthma or rhinitis to byestanders. The best way foreward is to keep a peak flow record (see the I'm confused section) for at least 3 weeks and make an appointment with your occupational physician. If there is a problem getting the peak flow analysed, I could do this for you.

2/20/2006