Pica is an unusual condition that finds individuals craving and eating items that are not food; such as paper, erasers and crayons, among others. While the condition may affect adults, it mainly occurs in children between the ages of 2 and 6 years old. The causes of pica are unknown, but it is believed to be a side effect of many emotional, social and physicial factors.Learning identify risks of pica will help parents and loved ones to seek prompt treatment and to prevent complications such as lead poisoning, anemia, intestinal blockage or obstruction and malnutrition.
Instructions
1. Watch your child for any signs that he or she seems to be inordinately interested in, such as chewing, gnawing or mouthing non-food items such as cigarettes, string, erasers, crayons or clay and other such common household items.
2. Pay attention to diet, as poor nutrition will often lead children to eat items that aren't meant to be digested. Vitamin deficiencies are often a common cause of such habits, so make sure your children receive adequate nutritious diets that contain daily recommended amounts of minerals and vitamins.
3. Are you poor, or do you live in a very poor neighborhood? In such cases, children may often be found eating paint, which may contain lead, especially in low-income districts or in very old houses and apartment buildings. As such, poverty increases the risk of developing pica, so children in such environments should be closely watched.
4. Pay attention to what your child eats on a daily basis. Risks for pica may increase if he or she is suffering from anemia or malnutrition. In addition, those on closely watched diets may also experience an increased desire to ease their hunger or cravings with non-food items found around the house.
5. Are you pregnant? In some individuals, pregnancy causes intense and nearly uncontrollable cravings, not only for unusual food items, but non-food items as well. If you find yourself craving the taste of non-food items, discuss this with your obstetrician for guidance and advice.
Tags: non-food items, closely watched, erasers crayons, items that, your child