Pica (disorder)
Pica is an abnormal appetite for earth and other non-foods.
Pica is common in small children, and occasionally in pregnant women.
In extreme forms it is regarded as a medical disorder.
Examples of pica are:
- geophagy (consumption of soil)
- mucophagy (consumption of mucus)
- trichophagia (consumption of hair or wool)
- scatophagy (consumption of excerement or other filth)
- please add more examples to this list
Pregnant women have been known to develop strong cravings for soil, chalk, laundry starch, and other non-foods. Some theorize that the women may be craving trace minerals lacking in their system, but there have been no major studies on this.
Warning: pica in children, while common, can be dangerous: children eating painted plaster may suffer brain damage from lead poisoning from lead in the paint.
External link
Referenced By
List of rare diseases/P | List of rare diseases starting with P | Mental illness (alphabetical list)
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