What do you call a person who eats non-food items?!
What do you call a person who eats non-food items?
Other than odd I mean. Seriously, I know there is a medical name for people who eat dirt, clay, grass, etc. but I cannot think of it. Can you help?
Answers:
the disorder is called Pica -- it is an abnormal appetite for non-food items. Common cravings include chalk, charcoal, rubber, cleanser, dirt, clay or paint.
In order for it to be true pica it has to persist for at least a month, although there is pregnancy related pica, which can develop and disappear post partum. A friend of mine developed rubber pica. She would go to the tire dept at sears and just sniff to her hearts content. Dr told her it would be ok to chew rubber bands just for the taste as long as she didnt swallow them. After the baby, the craving vanished.
In children especially, this can be dangerous if they eat paint chips with lead based paint. Eating dirt can also be problematic because it can be contaminated with animal feces.
In most cases, you should consult a dr. They can treat with aversion therapy.
I'm almost positive it's called pica. Do you mean like the ones that eat laundry soap flakes?
pica syndrom
The medical condition is called "Pica".
m
pregnant. ;)
i call them HUNGRY!!
1. cow
or
2. psycho
nice guy
Pica