People with pica frequently crave and indulge in non-food items such as:
· Dirt
· Chalk
· Cigarette ashes/butts
· Hair
· Buttons
· Paper
· Laundry starch
Although consumption of some of these items may be harmless, pica is considered to be a serious eating disorder and may lead to or result in death, lead poisoning, iron deficiency anaemia and/or mass blocking of the intestines.
Reasons for why people crave foreign items are presently unknown, but certain known conditions and circumstances can increase a person’s risk for developing pica:
Nutritional deficiencies- in many cases, the patients were suffering from zinc or iron deficiencies which would trigger the craving for specific non-food items, even though they would not supply the nutritional value required.
Dieting- People who diet often develop pica as a result of trying to ease their hunger by consuming non-food items to get the feeling of fullness.
Parental neglect, lack of supervision or food deprivation- The development of pica for these reasons is often seen in children living in poverty.
Mental health disorders- People or children who suffer with obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia or even autism may develop an addiction or craving for non-food items.
Claim to enjoy the taste- many people, particularly young adults who suffer from pica profess to enjoy the taste of foreign items and so eat it as part of their daily diet.
Fortunately there are warning signs that vigilant parents can look out for if they suspect their child may be putting more than the odd hand full of sand in their mouths:
· Children may repeatedly eat non-food items even once you have tried to restrict them. If their cravings or addiction persists for a month or longer, it may be a sign that your child has pica.
· Your child’s behaviour is considered inappropriate for their age group or developmental stage, i.e. older than 18-24 months.
· Their behaviour is not part of a culture, ethnic or religious practice.
If you suspect you or your child may be suffering from pica, it is advised you see a doctor immediately, as the side effects can cause life-long problems and even result in death. It is also important to remember that patience is vital as just like any addiction, pica can take time to get over.

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