What do people actually use talc for anyway?

[BettyBi0]

I was reading this:

www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/24/johnson-johnson-72-millon-babuy-talcum-powder-ovarian-cancer?CMP=share_btn_fb

and realised that I have absolutely no idea what people use talc for anyway. Have I been missing a trick?

Last time I remember people using talc was to dry their feet after swimming when I was about 10. It's still in all the supermarkets and chemists though so people must use it for something. Do you use talc? What for?

[HoobleDooble]

I use it for the underboob, under c-sec and along my groin where my pants meet, as these bits get horrendously sweaty and sore without it. I'd heard about the cancer link years ago, so never used it on my DC

[WitchWay]

I heard the ovarian cancer thing years ago - thirty years plus

Never heard about the sand thing - we've outgrown beach holidays really - wish I'd known at the time!

[merseyside]

I've always used medicated talc on DD to prevent nappy rash, I think it's great.

I'm not persuaded that there is anything dangerous about it, and I've read the studies.

[Footle]

Thanks for the link, FOJ.

[lougle]

It's highly irritant. I wouldn't be inhaling it, tbh. It is used surgically to cause irritation to the lining of the lung so that the lining becomes sticky and sticks to the chest wall, so that the lung can't collapse. That highlights the irritant property of talc!

[kaymondo]

I use it under my awful c-section overhang to stop chafing.

[FuckOffJeffrey]

I think the cancer link has came to light again as Johnson and Johnson has lost a court case and paid out $72 million in damages this week.

[defineme]

Ds and all his fellow triathletes use it in their trainers to make putting them on after the swim stage easier.

[Naicecuppatea]

I use it after showering / bathing as I love the smell. Have chucked my bottle now.

[absolutelynotfabulous]

No, the cancer link is old news. I love talc, especially after swimming and at the beach.

It makes a terrible mess, though.

[dilys4trevor]

Ha, yes this is true! . They will probably be alright there. Tis more the notion that it's carcinogenic generally that is news to me.

[westcountrywoman]

dilys - I don't think you need to worry about your DSs getting ovarian cancer.

[BorisJohnsonsHair]

I use it when camping, as I never seem to get dry enough in the showers to put my clothes on easily. Makes getting dressed so much easier (and smells lovely).

[dilys4trevor]

Really, why?

[blackcatwhitewhiskers]

I've never heard of talc inside pants - it's a bit unpleasant really.

[dilys4trevor]

buzzard, not joking at all! My two eldest are boys and despite a bath a day their pants always end the day slightly damp and smelling of wee.

I assume I am not alone here?! Alot of little boys are not great at remembering to go to the loo in plenty of time so little drops of wee can leak out over the day (or they will be so keen to finish their wee and get back to playing that they will tuck themselves back in before shaking dry).

A bit of talc in their pants in the morning keeps them a bit more fragrant for longer.

I had no idea talc was carcinogenic so may stop this.

[kayessbee]

I sometimes "water down" my loose face powder with a medicated one like Cuticura - makes it nice and silky and am certain it helps with keeping blemishes at bay.....maybe. I need to book a beach holiday to test out the sand suggestion #anyexcuse

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Same as everyone else- pregnant thighs, beach sand removal. Didn't know about the ants but that's duly noted. I also use it after bathing my very chubby thighed ds to get all the moisture out of his 'creases'. Always Johnsons, love the baby smell

[IHaveBrilloHair]

I had no idea people still used it, my Mum used to put it on me after swimming when I was still a bit damp.
All I can think is that it'd make a paste and you'd have to hoover/mop the floors again.

[Adgefox]

In my sandals but only in the Summer to stop my feet getting hot and sweaty.

[UntilTheCowsComeHome]

I used it sprinkled around the back door in my old house to stop ants.

An obese woman I used to work with was convinced she smelt so would take herself off to the loos to sprinkle it all over herself. She always made a right mess and there really was no need.

[Footle]

The first time I heard about talc being carcinogenic was 43 years ago, and I stopped using it for anything except getting sand off feet from then onwards. Why is this news again ?

[Buzzardbird]

dilys pongy downstairs? You are joshing?

[dilys4trevor]

Both my DCs (7 and 5) get a bit pongy downstairs so I chuck some in their pants each morning to keep them fragrant...

I just read in that article that it was 'hygienic use' that caused the cancer. I had no idea. But worried now!

[FuckOffJeffrey]

We use it on feet, legs and underarms after swimming but not much else

When I was a teen and into the goth look I used talc as face powder over my foundation to make my (already super pale) skin a nice ghostly white shade.