What is Pica?
Pica or Dirt Eating is an annoying and potentially dangerous habit in which a person regularly eats unusual non-food items from the environment. To be medically significant the habit has to last more than a month. Here, in detail we will discuss about ” Pica”.
Usually, dirt-eating is seen in children. Almost 10-30% of children between 1-6 years of age suffer from this condition at some point. Even adult pregnant mothers may sometimes get into this habit.
The substances most commonly eaten by dirt-eating patients are mud, clay, or wall paint. Other things eaten habitually are plaster, pebbles, ash, wallpaper, strings, rags, stationery (paper, pencils, crayons), shoe soles, hair and stools.
Causes and complications.
Parental neglect is often an underlying cause of dirt eating, but there may be no particular cause in many cases. Developmental, behavioral, or psychological problems such as mental retardation or autism are often associated with dirt-eating.
The potential complications of dirt eating are the harm the ingested objects can do. The usual dangers are poisoning, particularly lead poisoning from wall paint and pencils, and worm infestation. Surgery is needed when hard or sharp objects cause internal injuries or hair or other objects accumulate to form bezoars, which are ball-like tumors in the stomach.
Treatment
Eating right is the primary cure for eating the wrong things. Patient and family education about good nutritional habits is central to the treatment of dirt eating. Parents must establish a balanced diet for the child.
The non-food items the child craves should removed from the child’s environment. The child may also need behavior modification treatments.
Treatment needs for associated problems such as nutritional deficiency (iron supplements) or worm infestation (homicidal medicines).
Eating dirt when pregnant
In most individuals, dirt-eating is a temporary problem that lasts for months but responds well to proper management. Dirt eating in pregnancy usually stops after delivery.
Dirt eating can persist for years in individuals suffering from developmental and psychological problems.