Talc is a soft mineral used in baby care to reduce rashes and chafing in adults. It absorbs moisture and is used by women to prevent chafing, athletes to wick away sweat, and bedridden people to prevent rashes. Some studies suggest it may be linked to cancer, but more research is needed. Talc-free products are available.
Talc is a cosmetic product made from finely ground talc, an extremely soft mineral. One of its most common uses is in baby care, with some parents using it to reduce rashes and nappy rash. It can also be used on adults to prevent chafing and rashes, and some people have come up with creative uses for this product, such as sweeping it into cracks in hardwood floors to prevent squeaking.
The main role of this product is to absorb moisture. By sucking moisture away from the surrounding area, talcum powder keeps the skin dry. This can reduce the risk of rashes and irritations from sweat, urine and other bodily secretions, and also increases comfort in hot weather. Many babies find this very comforting, since they have no control over when their diapers are changed.
Women sometimes use talcum powder to prevent chafing between the thighs while wearing skirts, and athletes can also apply it before preparing for sports to help wick away sweat and increase comfort. It is also used on some bedridden people to prevent rashes and sores from developing, especially if they have thick folds of skin that could harbor moisture.
Some people have raised concerns that talc-based products may be linked to cancer, often in scare campaigns with strong words that are designed to scare consumers into stopping using them altogether. The American Cancer Society has conducted several studies to determine whether or not talc is linked to cancer, and the results have been inconclusive.
Inhaling or ingesting this product can definitely be harmful, as it can irritate the lungs and intestinal tract. Exposure to this product has also caused the development of tumors in some laboratory animals. However, human studies have been unable to demonstrate a positive link, in part because some study subjects were exposed to talcum powder that contained asbestos; until the 1970s it was perfectly legal to have asbestos (a naturally occurring mineral) in talc-based products. More studies are needed to determine whether or not it is totally safe.
For people who fear that talc might be harmful, there are talc-free products on the market with a similar function. Most of these products are made with cornstarch, and in fact some people just use pure cornstarch, skipping the lavishly packaged, scented version in the natural baby products aisle.
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