RESUMO
An 18-year-old female hairdresser, nonsmoker and nonatopic, developed rhinoconjunctivitis followed by asthma after working for 18 months. The methods that were necessary to obtain a definitive diagnosis of occupational asthma are explained, as well as the medical management performed to improve her asthma over the next 12 months. Tryptase and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) were determined before and after specific bronchial challenge. The application of these parameters as complementary diagnostic methods in some cases of occupational asthma is described. Clinical and functional control performed some months later demonstrated an increase in nonspecific bronchial responsiveness after avoidance, likely related to an upper respiratory infection.