ABSTRACT
"In the absence of prevalence and incidence studies; data on occupational skin disease (OSD) is extrapolated from case studies; case series; reports from health care workers and compensation claims. It is generally stated in the literature that OSD is under-reported; under-diagnosed and undercompensated; and it is estimated in international literature that its true incidence varies from 5 to 19 cases per 10 000 workers per year. The vast majority of cases of OSD are occupational contact dermatitis (OCD). The terms OSD and OCD are used almost interchangeably in the literature. South African statistics obtained from private insurers in the mining and construction industries are comparable to those in the US and UK; ranging from 0.4 to 2 cases per 10 000 workers per year. Statistics obtained from the Department of Labour's Compensation Fund however; are a fraction of those reported in other countries. The authors must assume that the South African OSD burden is indeed a ""hidden epidemic."