Talcum powder poisoning

Talc can be harmful if it is swallowed or breathed in.

Talc may be found in:

• Certain products that kill germs (antiseptics)
• Some baby powders
• Talcum powder
• As a filler in street drugs, like heroin

Other products may also contain talc.

Most symptoms of talcum powder poisoning are caused by breathing in (inhaling) talc dust, especially in infants. Sometimes this happens by accident or over a long period of time.

Breathing problems are the most common problem of inhaling talcum powder. Below are other symptoms of talcum powder poisoning in different parts of the body.

BLADDER AND KIDNEYS

• Urine output is greatly decreased
• No urine output

EYES, EARS, NOSE, and THROAT

• Cough (from throat irritation)
• Eye irritation
• Throat irritation

HEART AND BLOOD

• Collapse
• Low blood pressure

LUNGS

• Chest pain
• Cough (from particles in the lung)
• Difficulty breathing
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Wheezing

NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Coma (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness)
• Convulsions (seizures)
• Drowsiness
• Lethargy (generalized weakness)
• Twitching of arms, hands, legs, or feet
• Twitching of the facial muscles

SKIN

• Blisters
• Blue skin, lips, and fingernails

STOMACH AND INTESTINES

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Seek medical help right away. Do not make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to. If the person breathed in the talcum powder, move them to fresh air right away.

Have this information ready:

• Person's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients, if known)
• Time it was swallowed or inhaled
• Amount swallowed or inhaled

The local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also get online poison help now at Poisonhelp.org. Just enter the product, poison, or medicine to get expert help.

Take the container to the hospital with you, if possible.

The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate.

Tests that may be done include:

• Blood and urine tests
• Chest x-ray
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Treatment may include:

• Breathing support, including tube through the mouth into the lungs and connected to a breathing machine (ventilator)
• Fluids through a vein (by IV)
• Medicine to treat symptoms

The person may be admitted to the hospital.

How well someone does depends on how much talcum powder they swallowed and how quickly they receive treatment. The faster medical help is given, the better the chance for recovery. Breathing in talcum powder can lead to very serious lung problems, even death.

Use caution when using talcum powder on babies. Talc-free baby powder products are available.

Workers who have regularly breathed in talcum powder over long periods of time have developed serious lung damage and cancer.

Injecting heroin that contains talc into a vein may lead to heart and lung infections and serious organ damage, and even death.

Talc poisoning; Baby powder poisoning

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Updated by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.