Study of Allergic Rhinitis by using RAP Questionnaire and Skin Lesions in a Group of Shoe Factory Workers in India: A Cross-sectional Study
Abstract
Background: The footwear industry is a significant segment of leather
industry in India. Workers in shoe industry are exposed to mixtures of
organic solvents used for colouring, adhesion, cleaning and fumes which
could lead to respiratory and skin problems.
Objectives: To study allergic rhinitis symptoms and examine skin lesions
in workers exposed to harmful agents in footwear industry.
Methodology: It is a cross-sectional study conducted in November 2018
for 4 days among industrial workers in a selected factory of Footwear
Park, developed by the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation
(HSIDC) of Bahadurgarh. RAP (Respiratory Allergy Prediction test)
questionnaire for allergic rhinitis and questions on type and number of
skin lesions were asked.
Result: 51 workers were selected for the study. Workers involved in
printing and moulding responded positively to one or more than one
questions of RAP questionnaire used for screening allergic rhinitis. 31.4%
had itching, 27.5% had papules, 7.8% had blisters, 7.8% had oozing, and
15.7% had dry/ scaly skin. Itching, papules, blisters, oozing, and dry/
scaly skin were found only on the head/ neck, hands and arms/ forearms
with no involvement of lower legs and trunk. Skin problems like itching
and papules were significantly associated with printing and moulding of
shoes (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Shoe-making involves exposure to many hazardous compounds
and toxic fumes that may cause allergic rhinitis as well as skin allergies in
the form of skin lesions especially those involved in printing and moulding
of shoes.
How to cite this article:
Jain A, Choudhary P, Goel A, Mital AK, Jain RB,
Gupta R, Vijay, Singh T. Study of Allergic Rhinitis
by using RAP Questionnaire and Skin Lesions in a
Group of Shoe Factory Workers in India: A Crosssectional
Study. Epidem Int. 2021; 6(1): 22-27.
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