Study of Allergic Rhinitis by using RAP Questionnaire and Skin Lesions in a Group of Shoe Factory Workers in India: A Cross-sectional Study

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.