Frequently asked question: What is pica (unusual appetite)?

An unusual appetite, or pica, is when you have an appetite for unusual things that are not really edible, you are suffering from a disorder that is called pica. Things you may want to eat include paper, earth, hair, etc. Sometimes children with SCD or people with anemia have this disorder. It is possibly caused by a shortage of certain nutrients or because you are sick and do not feel well. Pica can cause abdominal pain and be bad for your teeth. The things you end up eating can also be unhealthy. It is therefore important that you talk about an urge to eat unusual things, so that you can be counseled.

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Frequently asked question: What is pica (unusual appetite)?

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