Maybe not right forum, health & work environment question

[leighbythesea2]

Wondering if anyone here can give me a little guidance on workplace and allergy response. I count on DU and it’s smart membership.

I figured out finally today, what I think I’m allergic to at work, that’s been steadily building for 6 months.
The factors—its a corporate office. It’s a department with specific objectives, resources & tools. Namely, apparel design. We handle a lot of materials and fabrics in our area.
I’ve been working on home decor—new to us. Home fabrics & textiles.

Have steadily felt more & more allergic over time but kept thinking it was internal circulation system, dust, the carpet, the carpet cleaning, etc.
have taken allergy meds, eye drops, & brought in an air purifier for my desk. Not working.

Today it was so bad my chest hurt, shallow breathing and the word asthma came into my head. Using google for this “asthma at work”, stumbled on occupational asthma.
And on the list of most common, is textile workers. I’m a textile designer. Mind you, I’m not in a factory, or mill, which is where this gets discussed most.

I see a dr Friday & anticipate being sent to ENT. (Went thru this & skin test with my allergy prone step-son years ago).
At least I can tell them my theory.
The fibers & fabrics for home textiles are different, & I have steadily increased in exposure. They are “cut” and swatches have more loose fiber. Home textiles are much bigger, and the quantity is bigger too.

My question is—what if I am just allergic to my job? Is my employer responsible for anything around environment, given it’s not a factory or mill environment—-with flying fiber, & dust from cutting or processing tons of fabric. It’s a corporate office.
It’s not like I suspect mold.

I believe it is the tools I’m using to do my job.
Can I ask to move areas? Do something with less exposure ? I can’t be in a bubble.
(noticed in researching textile worker environment they can test for an IGa response, and a skin prick for cotton & synthetic. Will ask my dr about this.)

Could it end up being just my problem? Maybe after 35 years, have gotten to this place?
It’s not “extreme” immersion, anyone doing what I do would be required to handle fabrics.
I’m sure there are mitigating options. Will start with a mask tomorrow.
Just, if end up deemed allergic —would probably stop doing this work. Am close to retirement, & would consider this very critically.
Today I left the floor i work on for 20 minutes to try to stop near-wheezing, essentially. Overall it was so bad, started planning how to quit.
***I’m the only one currently with this issue, to my knowledge.
It’s just so crazy—am possibly allergic to my vocation?! Then what.
Thanks all in advance for any advice. Meet with my director Wednesday. Need to be smart about my conversation.