Is it safe to use baby powder?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was consulted with Specialist II Chung Thi Mong Thuy - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatal, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Baby powder, also known as scented powder, is chosen by many people to rub the baby's skin to help keep the baby's skin fragrant, clean, not wet from sweat, not itchy or itchy due to diapers. However, not all mothers know how to use talcum powder safely.

1. What is talcum powder used for?

Baby powder is a product that is made in the form of a powder in a box, when a child has heat rash, mothers often use this powder to apply it to the heat rash area for the purpose of absorbing all the sweat clinging to the surface of the skin, helping the skin dry. airy.
In addition, some mothers also use talcum powder to rub on areas with folds such as: neck, groin, armpits for children to avoid wetness. Some women use talcum powder on their genitals to reduce unpleasant odors, while others use it on their skin for rashes.

2. Composition of talcum powder

The 2 main ingredients in talcum powder are talcum powder and cornstarch:
Talc is a clay mineral with water-repellent properties and acts like an anti-inflammatory agent, used in cosmetic products as well. Cornstarch is a starch made from corn (corn) and is commonly used for cooking. Cornstarch has the ability to absorb excess moisture and oil on the baby's skin surface to help fight inflammation, soften skin, and antibacterial. In addition, talcum powder also contains calcium salts, zinc salts, fats and some fragrance substances.

3. Is the talcum powder in baby powder safe?

Johnson & Johnson Corporation (a company that owns the well-known brand of Johnson's Baby Powder) released a statement about counter-research that found no statistically significant association between talc use for genital hygiene of the fallopian tubes of women with ovarian cancer in tens of thousands of women followed for over 40 years and clinical evidence supporting the safety of talcum powder.
Up to this point this is still a controversial issue between the researcher and Johnson & Johnson.
Some talc products in baby powder contain asbestos which is "a human carcinogen." should be avoided in children.

4. How to use baby powder safely

Inhaling talcum powder containing talcum powder - a water-insoluble powder that is not broken down by bacteria, will cause accumulation in the lungs causing children to cough, have difficulty breathing, sneeze, runny nose, worse, vomiting, purple relapsing and more serious is possible acute pulmonary edema. Diseases such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis, atelectasis, pneumothorax, and bronchiolitis obstruction can also occur when children inhale talcum powder. In addition, long-term inhalation of talcum powder can also cause "pneumonia" due to the long-term accumulation of talcum powder and silica in the lungs, causing fibrosis of the interstitial tissue and the creation of granulomas. This disease can only treat symptoms and there is no specific antidote.
For the above reasons consider using baby powder for your baby. And when used, keep the following rules in mind:
Do not use powder directly on baby's skin. Instead, you should pour it on your hands and gently rub it on the skin, limiting the unevenness of the powder, where many places are less. Do not let talcum powder come into direct contact with the child's genitals. Do not open a fan or sit near a window while pouring chalk on your hands to avoid inhaling the powder, which can cause pneumonia. Do not use too much chalk in areas with wrinkles such as neck, armpits, groin... Excess chalk can combine with sweat to irritate baby's skin. For girls, mothers must be careful not to apply it close to the private area, inner thighs, outside the vulva, and lower abdomen. Discontinue use immediately if your baby's skin is red, itchy, or swollen. When changing diapers, mothers should keep chalk out of reach of children, avoid letting children play with chalk bottles.

6. Choose which type of talcum powder is suitable for children

Should choose talcum powder of reputable brands to ensure quality, minimize the risk of skin allergies for children.
Consult with specialists for more advice on quality-assured brands. Only products that have been tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should be used.
There are many types of baby powder on the market, but you should give preference to chalk made from corn starch, tapioca flour, colloidal oatmeal, baking soda. This chalk has been tested and proven to be safer for children.
In addition to taking care of the skin, for children to be healthy and develop well, it is necessary to have a nutritious diet in terms of quantity and balance in quality. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients, adversely affecting the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills.
Children who do not eat properly are at risk of micro-mineral deficiency causing anorexia, growth retardation, malabsorption,... If they notice the above signs, parents should supplement their children with products. The supplement contains lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your child. Take care of the baby and the whole family.

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Reference sources: healthline.com, webmd.com