Why the urge to eat chalk or soil is a major medical red flag

If you have ever spotted a child nibbling on chalk or felt a strange urge to eat soil yourself, you might be witnessing more than just a quirky habit.

Dr Priyanka Sehrawat, an AIIMS-trained neurologist, is highlighting a specific eating disorder known as Pica.

This condition involves persistent cravings for non-food items like paper, clay, or coal, and it often serves as a physical SOS from the body.

In a recent video shared on 26 February, Dr Sehrawat explained that these urges are frequently rooted in medical deficiencies.

She noted, “‘I feel a strong urge to eat soil’, ‘I feel a strong urge to eat chalk’. Many patients come who have a strong urge to eat unusual things, like paper, soil, chalk - all these things. What is the reason for this? We call this Pica.”

According to the expert, the most frequent culprit is a lack of iron, a problem that affects everyone from toddlers to the elderly.

“A very common cause of Pica is iron deficiency. This is found in children, it's found in adults, and it's found in young people; it can affect any age,” she stated.

To combat these cravings, she recommends professional blood tests and a diet rich in dates, jaggery, seeds, and leafy greens.

As she aptly puts it, “If you don't know the cause, you won't be able to fix it.” Addressing the deficiency through medical guidance and better nutrition is the key to silencing these unusual appetites and protecting long-term health.