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Face powder
Definition:
This poisoning is from exposure to, or ingestion of, face powder.

Poisonous Ingredient:
  • Talcum powder
  • Baking soda
  • Many other types of powder
Where Found:
  • Face powder
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
Symptoms:
  • Respiratory
    • Difficulty breathing (from inhalation or allergic reaction)
  • Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Skin
    • Rash
  • Gastrointestinal
Home Treatment:
With any toxic ingestion or allergic reaction, seek emergency medical care immediately. If the powder was swallowed, dilute with water or milk. Contact Poison Control for further guidance. Do not induce vomiting.
Before Calling Emergency:
Determine the following information:
  • The patient's age, weight, and condition
  • The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
  • The time it was swallowed
  • The amount swallowed
Poison Control, or a local emergency number:
See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take 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:

  • Treat the allergic reaction with diphenhydramine and prednisone
  • 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 debridment (surgical removal of burned skin)
    • Admission or transfer to a hospital that specializes in burn care
Expectations (prognosis):
These products are not considered very toxic, so recovery is very likely.
Review Date: 2/8/2002
Reviewed By: Kevin G. Wheeler, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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