I listened to the radio the other day and, like someone who does not want the thing, someone talked about how he imagined it was to take care of a baby and mentioned talcum powder for the culete. And there is still some ignorance about it (and a long habit), but remember, because it is important: talcum powder for babies, for diaper changing, is not suitable.
We have to worry about the delicate skin of the babies and the moment of the change of diaper is the most important in the daily hygiene of the little ones. Keeping a culete clean and dry is essential to avoid skin problems, such as dermatitis. But we cannot use any product to avoid moisture, and the talc is already "discontinued" for this use.
Why talcum powder is discouraged in babies
Talcum powders are not suitable for babies and in extreme cases there may even be inhalation poisoning (by accident a sudden heavy inhalation or by doing so for a prolonged period of time). Respiratory problems are the most common problem due to the inhalation of talcum powder.
To this it is added that, according to different studies, talcum powders dry the baby's skin excessively, preventing him from breathing through the pores, and can also cause problems in case of accidental intake. Another situation in which talcum powder is discouraged is if there are erosions of the skin, as granulomas could occur due to a foreign body.
The reason why The National Library of the United States advises against the use of talcum powder for diaper rash is that it can penetrate the baby's lungs. The same recommendation is made by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The reason why the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) discourages talcum powder for diaper rash is that "if a wound occurs, the dust can penetrate it and produce a rejection of the skin with increased inflammation ". And if we go to the Journal of the Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics (AEPap), we see that the use of talcum powder is not advised against to take care of the diaper area, since "It can be aspirated and reach the baby's lung".
In other areas, I have found that it is indicated that, in case of using talcum powder for baby care, it is done only below the waist, especially in the case of babies with lung problems (as we see in the recommendations bathing of the newborn from The Ohio State University Medical Center).
Finally, we will point out that the wet talcum could form a mass that favors the growth and formation of bacteria and fungi, which is more likely in an area covered with the diaper, with folds in the skin ... That is why it could favor the appearance of infections, Vulvovaginitis in girls ... and in this case pediatricians do not recommend talcum powder.
As we see, the reasons may change, but it seems that in a generalized way the use of talcum powder in babies is discouraged and especially in the change of diaper, although this information is not generalized and there may even be certain health professionals who recommend it or do not warn of its risks. In our case, we did have the right information, and in yours? Had they advised you about it?
And what do I use for diaper changing?
Of course, not worth any cosmetic product for the baby and we will use only the essentials, but in the case of the diaper area it is advisable not to neglect it and apply the appropriate product when necessary. This is so for several reasons:
- Retained urine makes the humidity in the area very high.
- Faecal enzymes and urine-released ammonia increase the pH. When the pH of the hypodermis increases, that is, when it becomes more alkaline, it is when dermatitis or skin inflammations occur.
- Microorganisms from the digestive tract increase the risk of irritation.
- Finally, the area has a higher body temperature because it is subject to virtually continuous occlusion and friction, which also favors irritation.
Because of all these environmental conditions, there is a high risk that the baby's ass will become red, itchy, have pimples and even diaper rash.
What we can use for diaper changing are suitable protective creams whose function is to isolate the skin from contact with feces and thus prevent the skin from suffering. It is a pasta or water pasta with zinc oxide. It is not necessary to put a lot, nor do it in all diaper changes, but only if the culete is reddened or at night, since it will spend many hours with the same diaper.
In addition, other habits will favor a healthy cult: use water and soap for babies to clean the feces (or hypoallergenic towels without alcohol), dry the area well, check the baby frequently to change it when necessary (the poops can not wait) and let it go without a diaper when possible, because in this way the skin "breathes" and prevents moisture.
If you see that the diaper area is very irritated, with granites that do not remit and the baby is upset for several days, do not hesitate and go to the pediatrician to examine it and recommend the appropriate treatment. But we hope that with the previous advice this situation will not occur and remember: to take care of the baby's cult do not use talcum powder. To many it already sounds like a remedy from the past, but it is still used a lot, surely too much, putting the health of the little ones at risk.
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More information | Medline Plus, Medline Plus
In Babies and more | Where were talcum powder left ?, Talcum powder poisoning
