How to come out of eating non-food items?

Question

Hello doctor,

I fairly often ingest such things as paper, rubber bands, fingernails, scabs or dead skin, string, grass, small amounts of wood, certain rubbers and plastics. Although I do not have cravings for non-food items or ingest them in large amounts. I do not eat dirt, rocks, metal or tough things. This is obviously not normal for an 18 year old. Am I suffering from pica? Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your disorder. Yes, you are suffering from pica, disorder of eating non-food items with no nutritive value. You understand that this is a bad habit and still you chew all these unwanted materials. In near future you would develop some infections inside stomach and intestinal like GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or some more GI disorders due to unhygienic practices. So, try to abstain from these safely otherwise it may also develop severe ulcer and it can even lead to cancer. I also advice to consult your nearest psychologist or counselor who can guide you mentally to control and abstain from this bad habits. Thank you and take care.