Talcum powder

For any inhalation, seek emergency medical care immediately. Inhalation of talcum powder can be very serious. If on the skin, remove it by washing the area. Call Poison Control for guidance.

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
• The time it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. Bring the container with you to the emergency room.

Some, or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• For inhalation:
  • Administer oxygen
  • Breathing tube (assisted ventilation)
  • Mist tent (with N-acetyl-cysteine, an antidote)
  • Admission to the intensive care unit
• For swallowed poison
  • Placement of a tube down the nose and into the stomach (a nasogastric tube, or an NG tube) to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)
  • Activated charcoal administration
  • Endoscopy -- the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach
  • Give IV fluids
  • Admission to the hospital
  • Give an antidote
  • Treat the symptoms
• For skin exposure
  • Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days
  • Skin debridement (surgical removal of burned skin)
  • Admission or transfer to a hospital that specializes in burn care
• For allergic reactions
  • Use of diphenhydramine
  • Use of prednisone

Inhalation of talcum powder can lead to very serious respiratory complications, even death. Recovery and prognosis depend on the time to treatment and the extent of the exposure. Seek emergency medical care immediately for any ingestion or inhalation.

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