Pica Specialists Reveal the Strangest Non-Food Items Patients Consume

From sponges to talcum powder, the eating disorder pica can drive people to ingest dangerous and bizarre objects.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:55pm

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A glowing neon outline of a human digestive system against a dark background, conceptually illustrating the internal damage that can be caused by the eating disorder pica.Pica's compulsive consumption of non-food items can wreak havoc on the digestive system, underscoring the need for early intervention.NYC Today

Pica is a disorder that drives people, often children, to persistently crave and consume non-food items that have no nutritional value, such as sponges, talcum powder, and even hair. While pica is relatively common, it is frequently missed by doctors and can lead to serious health risks like intestinal blockages, poisoning, and infection. Experts from Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatments for this unusual eating disorder.

Why it matters

Pica is an often-overlooked eating disorder that can have severe medical consequences if left untreated. Understanding the disorder and its underlying causes is important for early intervention to prevent serious health issues, especially in vulnerable populations like young children and pregnant women.

The details

Pica is the persistent craving and consumption of non-food items that have no nutritional value, such as sponges, talcum powder, and even hair. The disorder is named after the Eurasian magpie, a bird known for eating just about anything. To be diagnosed with pica, a patient must have been eating non-food items for at least a month and be older than age 2. The items must also fall outside cultural or religious norms. Pica is frequently associated with nutritional deficiencies, like low iron levels, or developmental disabilities. The disorder can also be linked to underlying neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism or psychiatric disorders like OCD. Behavioral reinforcement also plays a role, as the behavior can become habitual if it reduces anxiety or provides sensory stimulation.

  • Pica usually begins in childhood, but can appear at any age.
  • Pregnant women are also more likely to develop pica than the general adult population.

The players

Dr. Erica Brody

A pediatrician at Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital who has treated patients with pica.

Dr. Corinne Catarozoli

A psychologist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine who specializes in treating patients with pica.

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What they’re saying

“I worked with a patient whose family had to consistently hide their kitchen sponges, because even when they were dirty and foul-smelling, the affected patient would often consume them.”

— Dr. Erica Brody, Pediatrician

“Pica is often misunderstood as a strange behavior, when in reality it's a meaningful clinical signal. It can point to underlying medical, nutritional or psychological needs that aren't being met.”

— Dr. Corinne Catarozoli, Psychologist

What’s next

Early recognition and treatment of pica is key to preventing serious complications like intestinal obstruction, poisoning, or infection. Therapy, particularly techniques based on applied behavior analysis, has been shown to help curb dangerous pica habits and reinforce safer alternatives, especially for children on the autism spectrum.

The takeaway

Pica is a complex eating disorder that can have severe medical consequences if left untreated. By understanding the underlying causes and seeking early intervention, healthcare providers can help patients with pica break the cycle of compulsive non-food consumption and avoid potentially life-threatening complications.