Pica (disorder)

Pica is when someone likes to eat things that aren't food, like dirt or paint chips. It's not normal to do this, and it can be dangerous because you can get sick from eating things that aren't meant to be eaten. Sometimes, pica happens because people are missing important things in their diet, like iron or zinc. Other times, people do it because of stress or anxiety. If you or someone you know has pica, it's important to tell a grown-up so they can help get you the right kind of help.