Occupational contact dermatitis takes first place among all occupational diseases in many countries. However, very few truly epidemiological studies of occupational contact dermatitis have been published. On the basis of data from the North Bavarian register of occupational skin diseases we estimated the annual incidence to be 0.67 new cases per 1000 employees between 1990 and 1999. Nearly all cases were contact dermatitis, with over 50 % allergic contact dermatitis. The median age was 25 years. According to the literature, the annual prevalence of eczema of the hand is estimated to be between 6 % and 11 %. We therefore believe that the prevalence of work-related eczema of the hand is under-reported. Most of the cases seem to be mild to moderate eczema of the hand where secondary and tertiary prevention is possible and chronic reoccurrence of the eczema, with a poor prognosis at a later stage and often cessation of work, can be avoided.
