HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

How Can I Stop Bad Habbit Of Eating Slate Pencil?

Hi, I'm 27 year old. During my childhood I used to eat slate pencil a lot however later on I stopped. But now I feel like eating again. Now that I'm also planning for pregnancy, would my slate eating habit make any bad effect on this and I'm also trying to avoid this craving during my pregnancy.
Mon, 14 Apr 2014
Report Abuse
Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.

I understand that you are distressed due to the symptoms that you have mentioned. Eating non-edible objects such as slate pencil is called Pica. There could be a number of causes for this symptom and one of the most common causes is anemia.

So, I would advise you to have a proper medical evaluation, including a hemoglobin test, in order to establish the cause of your pica. Moreover, since you are planning for pregnancy, it is important to detect if you are anemic, so that appropriate treatment can be initiated at the earliest.

Wish you all the best.

Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
How Can I Stop Bad Habbit Of Eating Slate Pencil?

Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query. I understand that you are distressed due to the symptoms that you have mentioned. Eating non-edible objects such as slate pencil is called Pica. There could be a number of causes for this symptom and one of the most common causes is anemia. So, I would advise you to have a proper medical evaluation, including a hemoglobin test, in order to establish the cause of your pica. Moreover, since you are planning for pregnancy, it is important to detect if you are anemic, so that appropriate treatment can be initiated at the earliest. Wish you all the best. Regards, Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar Consultant Psychiatrist