West Virginia Woman Reveals Toenail Eating Addiction

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A single mother in West Virginia named Janet has revealed that she is addicted to eating her own toenails. Janet, who lives in Hedgesville, says she consumes over 60 nail clippings per week, sometimes saving the crunchier ones in a jar to enjoy later. She finds the salty taste particularly satisfying after a workout, when she'll slip off her shoes and put her foot directly in her mouth to bite off a snack.

Why it matters

This case highlights the unusual and concerning nature of pica, an eating disorder characterized by craving and consuming non-food items. Toenail eating can pose serious health risks, including bacterial infections and digestive issues. Janet's addiction also speaks to the complex psychological factors that can drive such compulsive behaviors.

The details

Janet, a single mother from Hedgesville, West Virginia, says she has been addicted to eating her own toenails for years. She claims to consume over 60 nail clippings per week, sometimes saving the crunchier ones in a jar to enjoy later. Janet finds the salty taste of her toenails particularly satisfying, especially after a workout, when she'll slip off her shoes and put her foot directly in her mouth to bite off a snack.

• Janet says she has been eating her toenails for several years.

What’s next

Janet's story will be featured on the next episode of "My Strange Addiction" on TLC, where viewers will get a closer look at her unusual eating disorder.