![]() In addition to resolving medical complications from pica, it’s essential to stop eating nonfood items to preserve your health and life. If you suspect that you or someone you love has pica, contact a medical professional right away to determine if you have nutritional deficiencies or damage from eating nonfood items. Others contain poisons or bacteria that could threaten your health or your life. Some items can’t be digested and may damage your gastrointestinal tract. Pica is dangerousĮating nonfood items puts you at risk for serious medical complications. If you have pica, you might also engage in other destructive behaviors, such as picking at your skin or pulling your hair out. However, a child of any age or an adult who actually swallows the following items should receive medical attention: If you have a child under the age of two years who mouths these items, that’s normal behavior for their developmental stage. In these cases, their body isn’t attempting to resolve deficiencies.įollowing is a list of some of the most common nonfood items associated with pica. People with pica may eat a variety of objects that have no nutritional value whatsoever. You crave and eat paper, toys, or other nonfood items However, if you persist in craving nonfood items, you may need therapy to resolve your eating disorder. In most cases, supplying your body with the nutrients it craves through a healthy diet and supplements resolves your pica. They draw blood to determine if you lack nutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamins. Tell your family physician or OB/GYN about your cravings. If you’re pregnant and find yourself eating clay or dirt, you may lack key nutrients that your body needs. Following are signs that you or someone you love may need treatment for the eating disorder pica. If you suspect that you or someone you love has pica, seek medical attention as soon as possible.Īt The Soho Center for Mental Health, our expert counselors work with your medical team to help resolve your pica and ensure that you get the nutrition you need to thrive. Pica is also common among people on the autism spectrum or those with mental health or cognitive disorders. Others may have a normal diet, but the types of non-food items they ingest put them at risk for severe medical consequences. ![]() Some people with pica stop eating regular food. However, if pica persists or isn’t related to culturally condoned medicinal practices or pregnancy, it’s a potentially life-threatening condition. ![]() Pregnant women may also crave mineral-rich clay or other items that aren’t normally considered food, as their body’s way of trying to compensate for nutritional deficiencies. Some cultures encourage the consumption of clay to increase minerals in the diet. Though it’s normal for babies and toddlers to mouth nonfood items, it isn’t normal or healthy for older children or adults. Pica is a rare eating disorder in which children, teens, or adults crave and eat items that have no nutritional value whatsoever.
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