Is talc powder toxic for you and your baby?

Talc is mineral, produced by the mining of talc rock, crushed, dried and milled into finer powder. Talc powder is a cosmetic product and a moisture absorber.  Talc been a moisture absorber has been used o avoid chaffing and sweating between the thighs while wearing skirts  and underneath the armpit by many women; athletes use talc before suiting up for sports to help keep away sweat and improve comfort. Talc powder has been used to prevent diaper rashes, sores especially between thick folds of skin that can harbor moisture and bacteria.  

Talc can be found as an ingredient in deodorants, baby powder, medicated powders, perfumed powders, soaps, chalk, crayons, textiles, paints, paper, food processing, insulating materials, asphalt fillers.

Concerns linked to talc powder: 

Inhaling or swallowing talcum powder can be harmful as it can irritate the lungs and intestinal tract.

Breathing in talcum powder can lead to very serious lung problems, coma, drowsiness, lack of desire to do anything (lethargy) and talc can cause a fatal condition. Serious lung damage and cancer have also been reported in workers who have breathed in talcum powder many times over long periods of time.

Talc has similar properties and are closely related to the potent carcinogen called asbestos; Talc has been linked to cause tumors in ovaries and lungs of cancer victims however, the relationship between talc and cancer is by no means certain, it may turn out there is no relationship, however the immediate danger of inhaling talc baby powder is clear therefore it should be used with caution if you must use talc product or completely avoided.

Difference between talc based baby powder product and corn-starch baby powder products. 

Talc is mineral, produced by the mining of talc rock, crushed, dried and milled into finer powder. Talc based powder are small, easily inhaled particles. Talc is not edible meaning you can't taste it or put it in your mouth While “Cornstarch is just what it sounds like: starch derived from corn. It is ground from the white endosperm of corn. Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent in cooking, a health-conscious alternative to talc, and the main ingredient in a biodegradable plastic. Corn-starch is also mixed with sugar to make powdered sugar”--- (wise geek). Corn starch has larger, coarser particles, is not as easily inhaled like talc. Corn starch is safer for every natural baby.

There is no hard evidence that talc baby powder helps to prevent or treat diaper rash. I do recommend using baby aloe Vera ointment instead of talc baby powder. Begin by Cleaning your baby, pat your baby’s bottom dry  at each diaper change and then apply a thin layer of protective herbal ointment or cream that is safe for infants like AuraCacia, Baby, Organic Calming Nursery Blend with Pure Organic Lavender Oil, 0.33fl oz (9.7 ml)

You can use medicated powder occasionally in the neck folds or groin folds so long as you don’t allow it to build up; to avoid infection, carefully wash away any powder accumulated in the groin.

Keep any powder away from infant, if any signs of skin infection or tear occurs, do not use baby powder containing talc on the affected area.

When you decide to use powder choose the safer corn-starch types over talc based products. Shake the powder into your hands, away from your baby, never directly on or near your baby. Keep the powder container well out of your baby’s reach at all times. You don’t want it to fall over and produce a cloud of powder for your baby to inhale accidentally.

Avoid baby powder and oils containing any toxic ingredient that can cause your baby irritations like sores, eye tears.

Hugo Naturals moisture-absorbing is a talc free baby powder that helps keep your baby fresh and dry. It is gluten free, containing vegan ingredients; enriched with vitamin E and shea butter to soothe baby's delicate skin and help keep it soft and healthy.

It contains Zea mays (corn) starch, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, tocopherol, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter.

Hugo Naturals is not made with paraben, phenoxyethanol, SLS, PEG's, propylene glycol, petroleum products, artificial color or artificial fragrances. No animal testing has been used in the manufacturing of these products.

Find your nontoxic baby oils and product here; please do remember to read ingredient labels to avoid toxic ingredients before you purchase any baby products. 

Start them young, give your baby an organic lifestyle.

 Author:
Onyinye A is a freelance writer who specializes in nontoxic self improvement, green & Eco-friendly living, nontoxic lifestyle (preventing cancer, illness and toxicity) and everything related to organic living. Her work has been published by nontoxiclifestyle.org, Ezine.com, and other online and print publications.

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