Occupational asthma caused by decorative flowers : review and case reports

Occupational respiratory symptoms caused by decorative flowers are seldom reported in the literature. In the years 1985-1993 four such cases of occupational asthma were diagnosed at the Institute of Occupational Health of Finland. Occupational asthma was caused by freesias (n = 1), chrysanthemums (n = 1), and tulips (n = 2). The diagnoses were based on work-related respiratory symptoms during flower handling in the patients' histories, specific challenge tests, and allergologic examinations. Flower allergy is rare but can even develop into occupational asthma. It usually leads to a change of profession.