Cornstarch Powder

smccanl · Aug 7, 2008

When I had my first baby, I was told that cornstarch powder was okay. It is talcum powder that is extremely hazardous when inhaled. (This was general advice, not specific to cf.) I never used it, though - Triple Paste was my weapon of choice. Expensive but works much better than Desitin or similar creams.

Also, I think the major danger was of a baby getting in to the powder and spilling it, not from a controlled application to his bottom (as long as you aren't making a big cloud of the stuff). The nurse who taught the baby class told horror stories about babies finding the powder on their own.

Sarah

smccanl · Aug 7, 2008

When I had my first baby, I was told that cornstarch powder was okay. It is talcum powder that is extremely hazardous when inhaled. (This was general advice, not specific to cf.) I never used it, though - Triple Paste was my weapon of choice. Expensive but works much better than Desitin or similar creams.

Also, I think the major danger was of a baby getting in to the powder and spilling it, not from a controlled application to his bottom (as long as you aren't making a big cloud of the stuff). The nurse who taught the baby class told horror stories about babies finding the powder on their own.

Sarah

smccanl · Aug 7, 2008

When I had my first baby, I was told that cornstarch powder was okay. It is talcum powder that is extremely hazardous when inhaled. (This was general advice, not specific to cf.) I never used it, though - Triple Paste was my weapon of choice. Expensive but works much better than Desitin or similar creams.

Also, I think the major danger was of a baby getting in to the powder and spilling it, not from a controlled application to his bottom (as long as you aren't making a big cloud of the stuff). The nurse who taught the baby class told horror stories about babies finding the powder on their own.

Sarah

smccanl · Aug 7, 2008

When I had my first baby, I was told that cornstarch powder was okay. It is talcum powder that is extremely hazardous when inhaled. (This was general advice, not specific to cf.) I never used it, though - Triple Paste was my weapon of choice. Expensive but works much better than Desitin or similar creams.

Also, I think the major danger was of a baby getting in to the powder and spilling it, not from a controlled application to his bottom (as long as you aren't making a big cloud of the stuff). The nurse who taught the baby class told horror stories about babies finding the powder on their own.

Sarah

smccanl · Aug 7, 2008

When I had my first baby, I was told that cornstarch powder was okay. It is talcum powder that is extremely hazardous when inhaled. (This was general advice, not specific to cf.) I never used it, though - Triple Paste was my weapon of choice. Expensive but works much better than Desitin or similar creams.
 
 Also, I think the major danger was of a baby getting in to the powder and spilling it, not from a controlled application to his bottom (as long as you aren't making a big cloud of the stuff). The nurse who taught the baby class told horror stories about babies finding the powder on their own.
 
 Sarah

cheygemini · Aug 13, 2008

I have always heard not to talc because it has been linked to health issues including lung cancer because it's similar in structure to asbestos.
I used cornstarch on my daughter and it worked well. Didn't seem like it created much dust in the air, but it still is a powder. It is a better alternative to baby powder. Although for me, diaper cream was easier to use.

On a side note- If you ever have issues with yeast diaper rash, an absolutely GREAT herbal remedy that truly works is Gentian Violet. It is a purple liquid and stains clothes & hands (don't spill it like I did!) but it works AMAZINGLY and you won't need any prescription medications (i.e. MORE antibiotics). Get it at a good health food store.

cheygemini · Aug 13, 2008

I have always heard not to talc because it has been linked to health issues including lung cancer because it's similar in structure to asbestos.
I used cornstarch on my daughter and it worked well. Didn't seem like it created much dust in the air, but it still is a powder. It is a better alternative to baby powder. Although for me, diaper cream was easier to use.

On a side note- If you ever have issues with yeast diaper rash, an absolutely GREAT herbal remedy that truly works is Gentian Violet. It is a purple liquid and stains clothes & hands (don't spill it like I did!) but it works AMAZINGLY and you won't need any prescription medications (i.e. MORE antibiotics). Get it at a good health food store.

cheygemini · Aug 13, 2008

I have always heard not to talc because it has been linked to health issues including lung cancer because it's similar in structure to asbestos.
I used cornstarch on my daughter and it worked well. Didn't seem like it created much dust in the air, but it still is a powder. It is a better alternative to baby powder. Although for me, diaper cream was easier to use.

On a side note- If you ever have issues with yeast diaper rash, an absolutely GREAT herbal remedy that truly works is Gentian Violet. It is a purple liquid and stains clothes & hands (don't spill it like I did!) but it works AMAZINGLY and you won't need any prescription medications (i.e. MORE antibiotics). Get it at a good health food store.

cheygemini · Aug 13, 2008

I have always heard not to talc because it has been linked to health issues including lung cancer because it's similar in structure to asbestos.
I used cornstarch on my daughter and it worked well. Didn't seem like it created much dust in the air, but it still is a powder. It is a better alternative to baby powder. Although for me, diaper cream was easier to use.

On a side note- If you ever have issues with yeast diaper rash, an absolutely GREAT herbal remedy that truly works is Gentian Violet. It is a purple liquid and stains clothes & hands (don't spill it like I did!) but it works AMAZINGLY and you won't need any prescription medications (i.e. MORE antibiotics). Get it at a good health food store.

cheygemini · Aug 13, 2008

I have always heard not to talc because it has been linked to health issues including lung cancer because it's similar in structure to asbestos.
 I used cornstarch on my daughter and it worked well. Didn't seem like it created much dust in the air, but it still is a powder. It is a better alternative to baby powder. Although for me, diaper cream was easier to use.
 
 On a side note- If you ever have issues with yeast diaper rash, an absolutely GREAT herbal remedy that truly works is Gentian Violet. It is a purple liquid and stains clothes & hands (don't spill it like I did!) but it works AMAZINGLY and you won't need any prescription medications (i.e. MORE antibiotics). Get it at a good health food store.

chipie12 · Aug 14, 2008

We were advised not to use powder on my son. I had a friend who didn't have CF, but had breathing problems. He owned his own pizzeria, and from using the flour, he had developed a gluey substance that settled in the bottom of his lungs. He had to have that portion of his lungs removed. I do not think anyone could come close to using enough powder as he used flour, but why take chances.

chipie12 · Aug 14, 2008

We were advised not to use powder on my son. I had a friend who didn't have CF, but had breathing problems. He owned his own pizzeria, and from using the flour, he had developed a gluey substance that settled in the bottom of his lungs. He had to have that portion of his lungs removed. I do not think anyone could come close to using enough powder as he used flour, but why take chances.

chipie12 · Aug 14, 2008

We were advised not to use powder on my son. I had a friend who didn't have CF, but had breathing problems. He owned his own pizzeria, and from using the flour, he had developed a gluey substance that settled in the bottom of his lungs. He had to have that portion of his lungs removed. I do not think anyone could come close to using enough powder as he used flour, but why take chances.

chipie12 · Aug 14, 2008

We were advised not to use powder on my son. I had a friend who didn't have CF, but had breathing problems. He owned his own pizzeria, and from using the flour, he had developed a gluey substance that settled in the bottom of his lungs. He had to have that portion of his lungs removed. I do not think anyone could come close to using enough powder as he used flour, but why take chances.

chipie12 · Aug 14, 2008

We were advised not to use powder on my son. I had a friend who didn't have CF, but had breathing problems. He owned his own pizzeria, and from using the flour, he had developed a gluey substance that settled in the bottom of his lungs. He had to have that portion of his lungs removed. I do not think anyone could come close to using enough powder as he used flour, but why take chances.

TobysMom · Aug 14, 2008