Pica Explained: When a Person Compulsively Swallows Things That Aren't Food

A person with pica may compulsively swallow items that aren't food and that do not have any nutritional value.

What Is Pica?

Pica is a type of eating disorder wherein a person compulsively eats nutritionless and non-food items. Whether the condition is normal, harmless, or expected depends on what and why a person consumes the items.

People who have pica typically eat chalk, baby powder, ash, charcoal, soil, dirt, clay, eggshells, coffee grounds, poop, ice, hair, thread, string, paint chips, laundry starch, pebbles, paper, pet food, cloth, wool, or soap.

The condition got its name from the Eurasian magpie bird species, which is known to eat odd objects.

While people of all ages may have pica, it typically affects three groups of individuals. These are children below the age of six, individuals who are pregnant, and individuals with mental health conditions, especially intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia.

Pica does not have a single cause. There are cases where nutritional deficiency could be the culprit. There are also times when people with mental health conditions develop the condition as a way for coping. In some cases, malnourishment and dieting could also result in pica, as the consumption of non-food items could lead to a sense of fullness.

Though the eating disorder is relatively common, experts are uncertain regarding its exact prevalence. This is partly due to how studies do not use the same definition for pica.

Healthcare providers may also commonly miss the condition. This may happen when people do not reveal such details to their doctor and do not report signs of pica in their children.

Another reason is that it is common for young children and infants to put things inside of their mouths. This typically goes away quite quickly.

Compulsive Eating Behavior

Since pica is compulsive, people with it may find it hard to control their urges alone.

The effects of pica may also vary from case to case, depending on the non-food items consumed by a person. For those who eat ice, which is common for pregnant individuals, the condition is harmless. However, there are others who may eat toxic and dangerous items.

Pica can also lead to teeth damage and dangerous issues even when the consumed non-food item is not toxic. For instance, people with pica may eat their own hair, which could end up getting stuck within their digestive tract.

Soil-dwelling parasites can also infect individuals who eat clay or dirt. Individuals can also get sick from eating poop, especially those of pets.

Individuals with pica typically feel ashamed or embarrassed. As a result, individuals do not typically seek help and are afraid of sharing their experiences with a healthcare provider.

Treatment of pica typically starts with treating complications acquired through the consumption of the non-food items. If the pica possibly results from nutritional imbalances, doctors may prescribe mineral or vitamin supplements.