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Pica

Pica

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An abnormal appetite or craving for substances that are not fit to eat. Such as chalk, clay or dirt. Pica is common in malnutrition.

Dr. Marina Armendariz reviewed this

28 year experience in Pediatrics

How long it usually lasts:

Chronic (lasts years to lifelong)

How common it is:

Common

Body locations

Mouth

Symptoms

Craving to eat ice, dirt or paper
Food cravings

Tests

Lead blood level
Complete blood count
Zinc blood level
Iron and iron binding capacity

Related questions

A 43-year old asked:

What are pica/pagophagia?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 20-year old female asked:

What is the cause of pica?

2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

A member asked:

What are the causes of pica?

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

A 38-year old asked:

Is there a medical condition that causes pica?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 28-year old male asked:

What is the definition or description of: pica?

2 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in

A 47-year old asked:

What diseases are known to have pica as a symptom?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 46-year old asked:

What can be done to help someone with pica disorder?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 34-year old asked:

I am curious about people with pica. What causes that?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 18-year old female asked:

I do not have pica, but I crave wet dirt constantly. Why?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 43-year old asked:

I have read that I actually do have pica, but it's hard to quit?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 39-year old asked:

What can I do to stop eating baby powder (serious question, possible pica)?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 48-year old asked:

My girlfriend has pica disorder and i really don't know how to help her. Need some advice?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 18-year old female asked:

Is pica only in non-food substances? For example, could it be a strange food that one suddenly seeks interest in?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 25-year old female asked about a female:

How can a child get checked for PICA? She's two and eats everything but food! What else are signs and how do they properly diagnose

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 47-year old asked:

Does having pica harming my body?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 38-year old asked:

What are the dangers of consuming objects in pica patients?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 30-year old female asked:

How do I stop eating Toilet papers and tissues? Pica Disorder

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 43-year old asked:

How could diatomaceous earth human food grade affect pica? Will it increase the pica?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 30-year old asked:

What is autism/pica?

2 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in

A 35-year old asked:

Do you have pica only in pregnancy?

2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

A 33-year old asked:

What treatments can I give for a child that has pica?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 46-year old asked:

Lately i've been eating my own hair. Is this a pica thing?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 49-year old asked:

What to do if I have pica and it is affecting my digestive system?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 51-year old female asked:

I am suffering from pica and iron count is 11. Do I qualify for iron drip?

3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 57-year old female asked:

I just want to know, what is a intracranial congenital PICA? Is this normal, does everyone have this, does it cause symptoms? Thanks.

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 40-year old asked:

What types of eating disorder is pica?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 41-year old asked:

Why do I have a pica addiction to self rising flour?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 33-year old asked:

How rare is pica outside of pregnant woman or children?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 46-year old asked:

How much of a deficiency of iron need be present to start pica?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 36-year old asked:

What do I do to get tiny tiny picas from the cactus out of your foot the next day?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

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