Eating Baby Powder: What will Happen?

Short Answer: If you accidentally eat baby powder, you may have digestive problems or poisoning symptoms, depending on the amount and type of baby powder.

Baby powder is a powder made from a mineral called talc or from corn starch.

It is commonly used for preventing diaper rash and for cosmetic uses.

It may also contain additional ingredients like fragrances.

If you accidentally eat baby powder, you may experience some digestive problems, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach pain.

This is because it contains talc or corn starch, which are not meant to be ingested and may irritate your gastrointestinal tract.

Talc or corn starch can also be harmful if they are breathed in, as they may cause lung damage, breathing difficulties, coughing, chest pain, or even death.

Breathing in baby powder is more dangerous than eating it, especially for infants and young children.

It is quite uncommon to eat baby powder, but some people may have a condition called pica, which is an eating disorder that makes them crave non-food items, such as baby powder, soil, ash, or hair.

Pica may be seen in children, people with intellectual disabilities, or pregnant women.

It may be linked to deficiency in iron or other vitamins in the diet.

You can seek medical help if you eat a large amount of baby powder or if you have any symptoms of poisoning, such as drowsiness, seizures, low blood pressure, or collapse.

You may need to have your stomach pumped or receive fluids and oxygen.

To avoid accidental eating or inhaling of baby powder, you should store it in a safe place away from children and pets.

You should also use it sparingly and carefully, avoiding creating dust clouds or applying it near your mouth or nose.

Finally, remember, baby powder is not a food item and should not be eaten or breathed in.

It may cause serious health problems if consumed in large amounts or over a long period of time.

If you have a craving for baby powder or any other non-food item, you should consult your doctor or a mental health professional.

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About the Author

Abdur Rahman Choudhury

Abdur Rahman Choudhury is a nutritionist in West Bengal, India, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biochemistry.

He has done his diploma in nutrition from Fabulous Body Inc (US), and completed various certification courses from several universities. He also has considerable research experience in PCOS.

Abdur currently lives in India and keeps fit by weight training and eating mainly home-cooked meals.

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