Inhibition of cutaneous paresthesia resulting from synthetic pyrethroid exposure.

Synthetic pyrethroids are potent lipophilic insecticides recognized as nerve toxins. Their increased usage in recent years has established them as a serious competitor against the currently available pesticides. Reported cases of occupational exposure have noted the presence of paresthesia without the clinical symptoms of erythema, edema, or vesiculation. Pilot studies were performed with six prophylactic agents to assess their capability of preventing or ameliorating the paresthesia that accompanies exposure. Vitamin E oil (dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate) proved the most efficacious.