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It's normal for young children to put non-edibles in their mouths as they learn about their environment, but if you or someone you know continues to ingest the same non-food for one month or longer, it may be Pica disease.

So what is it? Well, let us channel old man Webster for a sec and clue you in. "Pica" comes from Latin word "magpie," a bird that known for it's tendency to eat, well, anything. Well, the magpie story is a little silly, the disease is certainly no laughing matter. Pica is treated as a serious eating disorder, sometimes resulting in serious health problems such as lead poisoning and iron-deficiency anemia.

Who gets it? Pica is often developed in people with developmental disabilities, including autism, mental retardation and in children between the ages two and three. People suffering from mental health conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia are also more likely to suffer from Pica. And pregnant women beware: If you experienced Pica as a child, it can recur in pregnancy.

And what are the symptoms?
A better question might be "What do they eat?" The answer is a lengthy one. Victims often eat any of the following: dirt, clay, paint chips, plaster, chalk, cornstarch, laundry starch, baking soda, coffee grounds, cigarette ashes, burnt match heads, cigarette butts, feces, ice, glue, hair, paper, sand, toothpaste and soap.

For more information on Pica, visit kidshealth.org.


NEXT: If Your Child Is Wetting the Bed ...


 
I am not sure if I am getting this right, I missed the show. However, from what I am reading it states that eating these items can cause anemia. From what I understand, anemia causes the cravings. I never craved 'non-food' items until I was anemic, then I began to crave baking soda and cigarette ashes. I think some of this information was just purely for the show's impact and not quite correct. After my levels of iron were restored, the cravings began to go away.
 
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Wow,what a shock. I thought I was be myself.My craving is fabric softner and towels. I take a white wash cloth and fabric softner sheet and put it in a plastic bag. I cut thin strands of my cloth,cut it up and eat. I just found out that I had an low iron as a kid. I really wanna stop but it's so hard.I also eat the lent from the dryer. I know I have a serious problem.Usually after a person get's finished eating they crave a cig,well I crave my bag of cotton. I will try to get some kind of vitamins to see it they can help me. Thanks for letting me know that I'm not alone.
 
i love eating bby powder. ill even steal it from the store . its so addicting. i would sneak and eat it at school in the rest room!!! i love it, it makes my mouth water!!! i like the walgreens pure constarch, and the family dollar pure cornstarch
 
I eat burnt match sticks and have since my son was born, but remember my parents always talking about not being able to leave out ash trays.... thanks for this post
 
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Great site. Good info.
 
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
 
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.



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