| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | This poisoning is due to exposure to talcum powder. |
| Alternative Names | Talc |
| Poisonous Ingredient | Talc |
| Where Found | Talcum powder Some antiseptics Note: This list may not be all inclusive. |
| Symptoms | Body as a whole FeverTwitching of the facial muscles Twitching of arms, hands, legs, or feet ConvulsionsUrine output, decreased significantly (or none) Collapse Respirations Cough Difficulty breathing Acute respirator distress Respiratory failure Eyes, ears, nose, and throat Jaundice (yellowed eyes) Eye irritation Cough Throat irritation Skin Blisters Rash Bluish skin , lips, and fingernails Sloughing of skin Yellow skin Gastrointestinal Vomiting - mucous, blood Diarrhea - mucous, blood Heart and blood vessels Low blood pressure Nervous system Drowsiness Lack of desire to do anything Coma |
| Home Treatment | 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. |
| Before Calling Emergency | 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 |
| Poison Control, or a local emergency number | They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. Bring the container with you to the emergency room. |
| What to expect at the emergency room | Some, or all of the following procedures may be performed: For inhalation:
Administer oxygen Breathing tube (assisted ventillation) 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 |
| Expectations (prognosis) | 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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