Trichophagia (hair eating), is a condition that involves chewing and eating whole hairs or hair follicles and biting them with swallowing. It is a condition that affects a large group of patients with trichotillomania.
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This is a very difficult and embarrassing subject for the patient. In the case of trichotillomania combined with trichophagia, the hair is first plucked out (after playing with the hair, curling it, twisting it, etc.) and then eaten. Patients are also able to eat only specific hairs (e.g. of a certain texture), cuticles, scabs and other remnants. The disease can go undiscovered for many years as the patient hides their problem. It affects both men and women. The hair in the stomach can lead to serious problems with food intake and digestion. It so happens that the hairball has to be removed surgically.
When is hair pulling most common?
For many people, trichophagia does not "fit in", as they do not understand that it is a normal, manageable habit that can be interrupted at any time. The patient feels the need to play with their hair, curl it, twist it, pluck it and then eat it. Many people find this very disgusting! Controlling this behaviour is very difficult. The patient tries to hide his problem.
The situations in which the process of playing and then eating the hair most often occurs. This process occurs in situations such as:
- severe stress,
- boredom,
- tiredness,
- passive rest (e.g. on the sofa),
- while reading a book,
- while reading a book, studying,
- when we want to vent negative emotions, and others.
This is an individual issue for each patient.
What is the purpose of eating hair?
Trichophagia, according to the information provided by patients, serves to reduce anxiety, emotional tension, to get rid of anger and rage or to calm down. For some patients, it is also a form of controlling their life (behaviour, reacting to certain situations or people). It can also serve the function of punishing oneself for certain types of behaviour. Many people eat their hair when they are bored or engaged in activities that require neither physical nor mental activity.
What can eating hair lead to?
Hair eating, over time, leads to a deterioration of the patient's health and outward appearance. Problems with the digestive system (indigestion, problems with bowel movements, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, nausea) are very common.
The hairball (trichobezor), located in the stomach, leads to blockage of the space between the stomach and the intestines and also occupies a significant part of the space in the stomach. Symptoms associated with the presence of a hairball in the stomach include abdominal pain, vomiting, fatigue, weight loss and loss of appetite.
It is removed with laxatives or during surgery.
Trichophagia affects both men and women, and the first hair-eating episodes should not be underestimated. It is necessary to consult a doctor and then include the appropriate treatment and therapy.