Paresthesia from cutaneous exposure to a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide

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Abstract
Occupational exposure to fenvalerate, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, was reported to cause paresthesia. An assay was devised for subjective grading of the sensation produced by the topical application of this compound. The present double-blind study compared human discrimination of topically applied techical fenvalerate, the heavy-ends fraction of fenvalerate, and ethyl alcohol (vehicle). Both forms of fenvalerate showed a statistically significant increase in inducing paresthesia over the vehicle alone. The onset of the cutaneous sensations occurred at 1 h, peaked at 3-6 h, and lasted .apprx. 24 h. Numbness, itching, burning, tingling and warmth were the most frequently reported sensations. The difference between the 2 fractions of fenvalerate was not statistically significant.

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