Diagnostic approach and management of occupational asthma by persulfate salts in a hairdresser.

An 18-year-old female hairdresser, nonsmoker and nonatopic, developed rhinoconjunctivitis followed by asthma after working for 18 months. The methods that were necessary to obtain a definitive diagnosis of occupational asthma are explained, as well as the medical management performed to improve her asthma over the next 12 months. Tryptase and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) were determined before and after specific bronchial challenge.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) hypersensitivity.

Background: Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is an analgesic antipyretic drug with no antiinflammatory effects and is widely used worldwide. Earlier clinical studies reported IgE-mediated adverse reactions to acetaminophen, but in vivo and in vitro tests have been inconclusive.

Objective: We propose to demonstrate an IgE-mediated mechanism in four patients with adverse reactions to acetaminophen (paracetamol).