How dangerous is baby powder

What started out as a cute and funny moment turned into panic within minutes after my laughter. The girls were playing in their room and I did my usual checking of my emails in the morning. When a ghost appeared beside me and it was Kyiah covered completely in baby powder smiling from ear to ear. At first I thought it was the funniest thing. I called out to Chloe and she walked in completely covered in baby powder. I shook my head and giggled as they giggled. I walked into the room and the entire room was covered in baby powder.

I started to remember reading that inhalation of baby powder can be dangerous. So my heart started to race and I began to panic. I immediately grabbed Kyiah and washed her down with water. I then did the same with Chloe. I removed them both from the room and with a damp towel I started to wipe things down to control the powder in the air. I started to cry because I felt guilty for leaving the container of baby powder in their room when I am usually so careful about everything.

I then jumped on my computer and googled some information about baby powder inhalation and to my surprise there was so much out there. I could feel my chest getting tighter and tighter. The stress went from 10 to 150... OMG what have I done.

These days on the internet there is so much information and I hate the fact that I do read alot of articles and know TOO much sometimes. I have worked in the medical field for over 9 years although it is a blessing to be part of patients' lives, it is also a curse. All the scenarios start playing in my head of WHAT could happen.


What I found was 2 different types of baby powder products.
Baby Powder made from TALC & Baby Powder made from CORNSTARCH

Talc powder- made from a purified mineral called talc. it contains: zinc stearate,magnesium silicates finely ground.

~~talc breaks down into fine particles which are SIMILIAR to ASBESTOS

Cornstarch powder- manufactured from the dried center of corn kernels.

~~Cornstarch- when broken down into powdered form, it does NOT contain harmful asbestos like substances.

As I read more the more I became alarmed and called my physician. Luckily the powder I was using was cornstarch powder. Inhaling is still harmful but not as harmful as talc (poisonous ingredient). They asked me to monitor the girls for any signs of:
dyspnea-distress while breathing, shortness of breath
coughing
fever
cyanosis-blue coloration of the skin, mucous membranes = low oxygen

So far none of these things have happened.I also from my research was looking for
tachycardia-fast heartbeat.I pray and hope they will be ok. SCARED me to death.I am sure going to make sure nothing like this will HAPPEN again! I hope.

Below is the medical description from the American College of Chest Physicians of what happens when the talc powder is inhaled:

Baby powder is insoluble in water and dries up the surface of the mucous membranes of the tracheo bronchial tree, thus disturbing the function of cilia that would normally be involved in clearing the powder from the airways.

A large quantity of powder may completely obstruct the small airways and can cause DEATH.

Here is the number for :
the National poison control center in U.S.
1-800-222-1222
24 hours , 7 days a week

Oh man what a day and night.........