For some time now, I've noticed that my 5.5 year old daughter likes to taste non-food, chemically things. This scares me to no end. Last summer, while camping, I discovered that she had been nibbling on a Yankee Candle air freshener that was in the porta-potty. She had complained about a belly ache, and I didn't realize what was causing it until I discovered the air freshner gone. Since then, at random times I've found her absently putting things in her mouth. Just recently, doing laundry, she had the dryer sheets up to her face smelling them (which I told her to stop explaining it was chemicals) and when she didn't think I was looking, she stuck her tongue out to taste it! She's been complaining for quite a while now about random belly aches, that I haven't been able to place and I'm so scared that she's tasting things (deodorant, soap, goodness, anything!).
Does anyone have any experience with this? She is a very bright, active, perfectly normal 5 year old and other than this I've never had any behavioral issues with her. I can't understand why she wants to do this and what I can do to help her stop! I've talked to her about dying, about how bad chemicals are, to try and scare her away from it, but I don't think it's working. I suppose I could lock everything away, but that won't help her control her behavior.
Please help, I'm scared for her!
Thanks,
~L.
Thanks to everyone for your insights and advice. As always happens, since I posted this, the behavior seems to have subsided. I think it is very much related to her sense of smell and believing that sweet smelling things must taste sweet too (like candy) and not having the control to not lick it or taste it. She has not complained of belly aches since this post and I have made sure that things that may be tempting are not within her reach. She doesn't seem to seek these things out, rather doesn't have good impulse control when it is around. I'm confident that with some diligence on all sides she will grow out of this with age. Thanks again!
Could be a sign of lead poisoning, children with high levels of lead "crave " weird items like crayons,etc.
This is a condition called pica. It basically means the desire to eat non-food items. It is common in kids when their bodies are growing rapidly, and its why some kids eat dirt. It is also common during pregnancy because of the loss of nutrients being passed to the baby. Your daughter could have a nutritional deficiency which needs to be evaluated by her doctor. Its not a serious problem, but she may need to take supplements.
I had calcium-deficiency pica and iron-deficiency anemia during my pregnancy. I wanted to eat chalk and smell things like baby powder and powdered make-up. I know it sounds strange but it happens to a lot of women.
I don't think this is behavioral - I think there is something more going on. You should consult with your pediatrician. I agree about a likely nutritional deficiency. I recommend Reliv nutritional supplement for kids - it's a delicious vanilla or chocolate flavor that you mix in water or milk to make a shake. It gives all the nutrients kids need including DHA for brain function (which sounds key here, as well as in all kids) in a liquid form. i would discourage you from using a multivitamin in pill form - they are tough to get kids to take, and they are generally not absorbed very well so you wind up spending a lot of money for limited results. My daughter's pediatrician told her that buying of over-the-counter vitamins is just like purchasing expensive urine! Most of what you need is eliminated. Reliv products are food and are not required to carry warning labels. Since you don't know what nutrient or trace elements your child is missing, I would think it would make a lot of sense to go with a comprehensive and balanced formula rather than try to pick and choose something in the vitamin aisle. I can give you more info and connect you with others who have had a similar situation and let you talk directly to successful parents. Good luck!
Hi Liza - First, Happy Mother's Day to you. What you described sounds like "Pica". It is a disorder that has been seen in pregnant women, children and those who suffer from anemia. In children, if the actions are not due to anemia, behavior modification of the child (like you have been doing with the items vs. chemicals/possible problems with what she is doing, etc)is used. I think you should make your pediatrician aware of things your daughter has been attracted to, what she has ingested in the past and the fact that she is compaining occasionally of tummy aches; these could possibly be from something she has eaten. You don't want to have to start worrying about her trying something that might cause an obstruction....Your pediatrician will be able to guide you as to what you need to do. I hope this info helped.
M. ( mom of 6)
One of my second cousins was doing similar things, and it turned out ot be a nutrient deficiency. I agree with others -- talk to your doctor right now. Try getting her a multivitamin in the meantime, just in case that helps.
I don't know if this is related, but there is a form of anemia - not enough iron in the blood - where there is the desire to eat certain things that are not food - I've heard of kids eating starch. A common thing that even adults do is eat ice. Maybe it is related to this? I would definitely talk to your pediatrician, and let all her caretakers (teachers, etc.) know about this problem, as they would not be expecting it from a 5 year old. Good luck.
Hi Liza,
This is very serious. There is a condition called pica in which individuals crave certain things to eat, many of which are non-food items. This condition can be controlled by finding reasonable substitutes to meet their cravings. There is also a possibility that your daughter suffers from a form of obsessive compulsive disorder in which people will eat all kinds of things from batteries to toothbrushes etc. Obviously this can be extremely dangerous.
It is possible that this is just a passing phase and your daughter is interested because these things smell so good, but the consequences could be tragic, so I would bring your concern to the attention of the pediatrician and ask for a pediatric psychiatric evaluation. Meanwhile you have to be vigilent in keep all of these substance under lock and key so your daughter has no access.
J. L.
She may have a condition called 'pica' which is caused by a nutritional deficiency or absorption issue. It can be treated! Google 'pica' and contact her pediatrician for help - she'll be fine soon! Good luck.
Liza,
Please go to this web site, sounds like she has a condition called PICA. If she does have this, she can not help but want bad things, Hope this helps!
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/914765-overview
Good Luck!
D.
Hi Lisa,
Look up information about PICA. I only remember a little bit about it from school. Some children and pregnant women have a craving for non-food items such as chalk or clay, possibly due to an iron deficiency. I would give her pediatrician a call. Good luck.
Please consult with your doctor immediately. This is an impulse, and he/she needs to find out why now. She is not misbehaving. There is a driven need that is overwhelming her, and the doctor must help you with this.
Best of luck.
Hi,
It sounds like your daughter has Pica. This is TREATABLE and you need to take her to see the pediatrician or get a refer to a therapist.
