'Bachelor' star Ashley Iaconetti says she had a 'strong desire' to eat laundry detergent while pregnant. What is pica?
The 36-year-old, who is pregnant with her second child, spoke candidly about the "strangest" pregnancy symptom she's experienced.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
From pickles and ice cream to spicy food and red meat, food cravings during pregnancy can be intense— and very specific (just ask Hailey Bieber). According to research, approximately 50 to 90 per cent of pregnant women will experience cravings, specifically within the first and second trimester. But what happens when your pregnancy cravings have you yearning to eat things that aren't food?
"Bachelor" star Ashley Iaconetti recently revealed she experienced some unusual cravings while pregnant with her son, Dawson. During a recent Q&A with followers on Instagram, Iaconetti, who is expecting her second son in July, was asked to share her "strangest pregnancy symptom" with her more than 1.2 milllon followers.
"With Dawson, I had a strong desire to eat chlorine tablets or powder laundry detergent… It’s called pica. It happens more frequently in pregnancy," the 36-year-old said. "Right now (as with Dawson) I love brushing my tongue."
Although it's important to note Iaconetti never said whether or not she gave in to those cravings, her admission brought to light an eating disorder that not many people may be aware of.
What is pica?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, pica is an eating disorder where people feel compelled to eat non-food substances with no nutritional value. The name is taken from the Latin word for magpie —"pica-pica" — which is known for eating unusual objects.
Although they usually continue eating food, people with pica often eat ash, charcoal, chalk, clay, dirt, soil, paper, hair, soap, cloth, pebbles, eggshells, coffee grounds or ice. In some cases, people may eat feces, paint chips and other potentially toxic substances.
Who develops pica?
While it's commonly seen in children, anyone can develop pica at any age. In some cases, pica may be present with other mental health issues such as obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia or trichotillomania, a hair pulling disorder.
The causes of pica are still unknown, however there are certain factors that can increase likelihood of developing it:
pregnancy
nutritional deficiencies (iron, calcium and zinc)
stress and anxiety
autism
certain mental health conditions
intellectual disabilities
Pica during pregnancy
It's unclear why some pregnant people develop pica and others don't. Some experts suggest that iron deficiency during pregnancy is the most likely explanation for why pregnant people develop pica.
The increase of blood volume during pregnancy means the body requires more iron to supply oxygen to tissue and the fetus. People who have low iron or vitamin stores can potentially become anemic (when blood doesn't have enough red blood cells to help delivery oxygen throughout the body). Many pregnant people will experience mild anemia, however it's unclear why some people with low iron or vitamin deficiencies will develop pica.
What are the risks of pica during pregnancy?
Eating non-food items can be dangerous to your health— whether or not you're pregnant. Aside from being potentially toxic, eating non-food items can cause infections, stomach irritations, bowel obstructions, parasites and can damage your teeth.
How do you treat pica if you're pregnant?
Tell your doctor about your cravings or if you've eaten non-food items. While there is no treatment for pica, your healthcare provider can help determine whether or not there's an underlying cause.
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