Allergens in the care environment: aetiology, epidemiology and clinical demonstrations.

In the care environment, new substances do not stop appearing, either in the field of diagnosis and care or in that of hygiene and maintenance of the equipment and premises. Thus allergic manifestations are frequent and their prevalence tends to increase. This article presents the current knowledge on those allergic diseases met by the hospital staff Irritating and allergic effects are possible both on the respiratory and the mucous plans. The prevention should require, as far as possible, substitution of products known to be allergenic by others that are not or are less allergenic. (C) 2002 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.