Allergy Testing and Career Choice

Introduction
In a busy Allergy Clinic in New South Wales, Australia, we have seen cases of allergy in trainees or practitioners of different professions where their allergies have significant impact upon their careers. Examples include veterinary students who have a strong allergy to cats and dogs (in urban areas, those animals constitute the bulk of veterinary practice), chefs who have strong allergy to fish (in one case even the smell of fish cooked by his fellow chefs provoked a reaction), nurses who have mounting allergy to latex, strongly atopic individuals with eczematous dermatitis who have taken up an occupation which continually expose them to skin irritants, and those with congenital enzyme deficiencies (e.g. glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase) which predispose them to haemolysis from chemicals with that risk.

Methods
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Results
It is suggested that a closer rapport between Occupational Medicine practitioners and those in School Health might help to guide school leavers to choose professions which reduce their risks of problems from allergies. A suggested plan of action for affected individual cases is included.

Discussion
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