What is pica?
People with the disorder pica  eat items that have no nutritional value. A person with pica might eat harmless items, such as ice. Or they might eat potentially dangerous items, likes flakes of dried paint. sand or pieces of metal. In the latter case, the disorder can lead to serious consequences, such as lead poisoning. This disorder occurs most often in children and pregnant women. It’s usually temporary. See a therapist right away if you or your child can’t help but eat nonfood items. Treatment can help you avoid potentially serious side effects.

Pica also occurs in people who have intellectual disabilities. It’s often more severe and long-lasting in people with severe developmental disabilities. People with pica eat nonfood items regularly. The behavior must continue for at least one month to qualify as pica. If you have pica, you may regularly eat things such as: soap, buttons, clay, hair, dirt, sand, the unused remainder of a cigarette, cigarette ashes, paint, glue and chalk.