Pica is an eating disorder that is characterized by the chronic consumption – for a period of at least one month – of nonfood items including dirt, clay, paint chips, chalk, cornstarch, baking soda, coffee grounds, cigarette ashes and/or butts, burnt match heads, feces, glue, hair, buttons, sand, coal, plastic, paper, pencil erasers, toothpaste and soap.

Other signs and symptoms of pica may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Recurrent infections and/or parasitic infestations
• Dental injuries