Global InformationTrichophagia information
| Trichophagia | |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation |
|
| Specialty | Psychiatry |
| Symptoms | nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and hair loss |
| Complications | Trichobezoar, Rapunzel syndrome |
Trichophagia is a form of disordered eating in which persons with the disorder suck on, chew, swallow, or otherwise eat hair.[1] The term is derived from ancient Greek θρίξ, thrix ("hair") and φαγεῖν, phagein ("to eat").[2] Tricho-phagy refers only to the chewing of hair, whereas tricho-phagia is ingestion of hair, but many texts refer to both habits as just trichophagia.[3] It is considered a chronic psychiatric disorder of impulse control.[4] Trichophagia belongs to a subset of pica disorders and is often associated with trichotillomania, the compulsive pulling out of ones own hair.[1] People with trichotillomania often also have trichophagia, with estimates ranging from 48-58% having an oral habit such as biting or chewing (i.e. trichophagy), and 4-20% actually swallowing and ingesting their hair (true trichophagia). Extreme cases have been reported in which patients consume hair found in the surrounding environment, including the hair of other people and animals.[5] In an even smaller subset of people with trichotillomania, their trichophagia can become so severe that they develop a hair ball.[6] Termed a trichobezoar, these masses can be benign, or cause significant health concerns and require emergency surgery to remove them. Rapunzel syndrome is a further complication whereby the hair ball extends past the stomach and can cause blockages of gastrointestinal system.[7]
Trichophagia occurs instinctively in many animal species, and is not always a sign of a psychological disorder. Cats practice trichophagia as a form of regular grooming. [8]
- ^ a b Grant JE, Odlaug BL (2008). "Clinical characteristics of trichotillomania with trichophagia". Comprehensive Psychiatry. 49 (6): 579–584. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2008.05.002. PMC 2605948. PMID 18970906. Citing Baudamant M (1777). "Description de deux masses de cheveux trouvee dans l'estomac et les intestines d'un jeune garcon age de seize ans" [Description of two masses of hair found in the stomach and intestines of a sixteen-year-old boy]. Hist Soc Roy Med (in French). 11779 (2). Paris: 262–63.
- ^ "Trichophagia | TrichStop.com". www.trichstop.com. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
- ^ "APA Dictionary of Psychology". dictionary.apa.org. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ Diefenbach GJ, Reitman D, Williamson DA (April 2000). "Trichotillomania: a challenge to research and practice". Clinical Psychology Review. 20 (3): 289–309. doi:10.1016/S0272-7358(98)00083-X. PMID 10779896.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Gawłowska-Sawosz_2016was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Sah DE, Koo J, Price VH (2008). "Trichotillomania". Dermatologic Therapy. 21 (1): 13–21. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8019.2008.00165.x. PMID 18318881.[dead link]
- ^ Taşkın HE, Erginöz E, Çavuş GH (April 2022). "Trichophagia as a cause of acute appendicitis in a patient with bipolar disorder". Ulusal Travma ve Acil Cerrahi Dergisi = Turkish Journal of Trauma & Emergency Surgery. 28 (4): 554–556. doi:10.14744/tjtes.2022.34808. PMC 10521004. PMID 35485504.
- ^ "Why do Cats Eat Their Own Fur? - Cat Attitudes". 14 September 2021.