The keystone of treatment is removal from exposure. Numerous studies have demonstrated a direct link between length of exposure and risk of persisting asthma. If exposure removal is within twelve months of development of symptoms, patients should recover. However half to three-quarters of those with occupational asthma are left with persisting asthma. Usually symptoms improve in the first year or two after removal from exposure, and then plateau.
Occupational asthma is treated like other asthma, following the six-point plan.
Achieve best lung function - Preventers, in particular, inhaled corticosteroids are an important early intervention in occupational asthma. In discussion with the patient. Whilst the optimal treatment for occupational asthma is removal from exposure, in practice this may be difficult to achieve. Ultimately the only possibility may involve a change of occupation and retraining. Protection is important in high risk industries to prevent sensitisation.