Talc Powder

[tamamycat]

Hello,

Long time reader, first time poster, I think this platform is brilliant and has been great help to a first time mum like me whose family and friends live far away. DH is also away for work for the last two months so it's just me and a very colicky but lovely DD.

I currently seem to have developed a trend where almost every day there is a new thing that I worry about, the next day something new comes up so the thing from before doesn't look too bad at that point and so on, but this time I can't seem to get over it.

DD is 13 weeks when she was one week she developed a rash in her nappy area, PHN advised to switch from water wipes to just cotton and water, did that and the rash started improving. On a call with mom I mentioned it and she asked why I haven't been using baby powder. Like many people I also read stuff about Johnson & Johnson years back so I haven't bought any of their stuff since but I had no idea talc powder in general was bad.

When shopping for baby I threw in a bottle? Of the Superdrug own brand one "my little star baby powder" so when mom suggested it I started using it. Liked the smell etc .. always rubbed it on hands first. I think in total I used it for about 3 weeks few times a day.

3 days ago found out on fb about how bad talc can be and started Googling and all the asbestos and cancer stuff started coming up, especially the stuff about ovarian cancer and the powder getting inside.

DD's private parts is where the rash was worse so that's where I used it, now I'm wondering why do they not say it on the bottle for people like me who have no clue, you're probably thinking I live under a cave or something but I honestly didn't know.

In shock I contacted superdrug to ask if by any chance they would know if they test for asbestos, I guess in an attempt to help put my mind at ease. Waiting on a response. Im trying to make myself get over it by thinking this is a U.K. company so maybe they mine their talc in a different place than the J & J company.

Mom's generation used it a lot on their babies, my cousins 40years + all no issues so there is that too.

I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance, and part of me thinks it's very irrational I just wish they say it somewhere on the packaging of the stuff. Anyway, if you read through this post you must be a very kind person. Thank you so much 

Wasn't it if the talc was inhaled? Or so I read.

Best thing I found for nappy rash at that age was some air time.
I used to lay my son on a old towel with nappy off and let him kick his legs about.

If you want to use powder then try a talc free one. It's not something I used tbh

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I actually didn't even really need it and don't care for it, the rash was getting better anyway, I also stopped using it as soon as the rash cleared, I guess my problem now is getting over the fact that I used it on her.

I had no idea and I'm also shocked at the fact that this information that's been around for so long, escaped me, I mean I found conversations as old as 2007 where people had already known about it for nearly 20 years !! I guess I would benefit from knowing that it probably did her no harm at all seeing as I only used it briefly. Very paranoid and unreasonable I know, just can't help it. Thanks again

Is there a proven link to anything?
Using it short term is unlikely to cause issues and there would be more problem with choking on it than anything else untoward

@SunshineClouds1 Yes and also when used in the perineal area

Not all studies have shown a link so its not cut and dried that cancer is a risk.

@dementedpixie thank you so much, I think that's why they're still selling it, research is inconclusive but some of the peoples' comments are very scary, DH tells me I need to stop reading and googling about this stuff, hopefully no harm was done and baby will be grand. Thanks again

Hi All,

I'm reading up too and wanting to be sensible. Waiting to hear what Superdrug, thanks for flagging this. 😣