Pica is the craving for and ingestion of nonfood substances, for at least one month, by someone that is developmentally able to know that it is not food . This can be anything that does not serve in nutritional value, but the most common items people eat are: clay, dirt, raw flour, burnt match heads, paint chips, starch, soap, chalk, feces, ice, etc… Developmentally disabled children, pregnant women, and small children are the typical sufferers. Keep in mind that we are not talking about natural curiosity of children to draw things to their mouths, but rather the consistent compulsion to eat the substance.
This is the stomach of a person that suffered from pica. 1,440 items were found.
Most of these substances, taken in small amounts, will not hurt a person of otherwise normal health. However, when large amounts of clay is consumed it can cause severe enough fecal impactions to actually rip the intestines. Large amounts of starch can interfere with iron absorption and lead to anemia. Burnt match head can cause hyperkalemia. Lead paint chips can cause lead poisoning. Soil containing feces can cause toxoplasmosis (among other parasitic infections.)
The cause of Pica is un-known. However, many patients that eat clay have an underlying anemia that was not caused by the pica, but rather already present. There are many theories ranging from biochemical imbalances to nutritional deficiencies and mineral deficiencies, but none have been confirmed or produced concrete evidence to show that they are the causative agent. Many people are ashamed or afraid to admit that they eat non-food items and never seek medical help. Therefore, it is impossible to know just how prevalent pica is.
There is another side of this disease though. There are over 200 cultures that teach and practice pica. This practice is routinely taught to children. Within culture usage, many medical professionals do not classify pica as pathologic. Instead, they just see it as part of the acceptable culture. The practice of ingesting blood, clay, dirt, and starch are common parts of some religious rituals. Folk medicine practices by many tribes teach the belief that eating clay/ dirt will relieve nausea and morning sickness, control diarrhea, increase salivation, remove toxins, and alter odor or taste perception. In Uganda for example, soil is sold to the public for the purpose of ingestion. The practice of eating clay/dirt/and starch was carried with many female slaves that were brought to America. The practice has been passed down through the generations. It remains a common proactive practice within some African American communities, especially Southern ones.
There is not any specific treatment for pica. Of course, any underlying conditions, such as anemia, OCD, etc will be treated. Otherwise, treatment focuses on behavior changes, altering the enjoyment the person gets from eating the non food items, and removal of the objects from easy access.
