Occupational asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis from inhalation of dried cow's milk caused by sensitization to alpha-lactalbumin.

A chocolate candy worker was diagnosed as having occupational asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis on the basis of clinical record and methacholine challenge. Positive conjunctival and bronchial challenge tests with lactalbumin showed that this protein was the pathogenetic agent. Type I hypersensitivity mechanism is demonstrated by means of skin prick test and RAST.