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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are The Consequences Of Chewing Hair Through Out The Day?

I have sucking/chewing on my hair throughout the day for the last month. Since I grew my hair out I cant stop sucking/chewing on my hair, I do it when I get anxious. I have done a little research on Google and have came to the understanding that hair does not digest therefor it builds up in your stomach and can cause serious problems. I will never make the same mistake now that I know this, but will I be alright and not suffer any consequences? I have heard of few different horrible cases were surgery was needed for some patients to remove the hair. I m 16 and would hate to have to go through that. I have split ends in my hair now and when I pinch my hair little bits of hair come out, so when I chew/suck on my hair for close to 30 minutes at a time throughout the day wouldn t that cause a lot of hair build up??? I am honestly scared and if it is dangerous and not digestible what should I do about it?? Please help!! I feel like I m having a panic attack over it...
Mon, 16 May 2016
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted your history of tricophagia, since you are chewing and sucking hair, this can cause tricophagia and a ball of hair can get deposited in the stomach.
Do not worry as you have decided to stop this habit; get the hair cut properly or tried together in such a way that you can not swallow them.
Get a barium X-ray of the stomach, or still better the upper GI endoscopy to watch for hair built up in the stomach.,
If nothing is found just stop worrying and strictly stop the habit.
If the hair are present in small amount these can be removed endoscopically and you may not any surgery at all.

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What Are The Consequences Of Chewing Hair Through Out The Day?

Hi. Thanks for your query. Noted your history of tricophagia, since you are chewing and sucking hair, this can cause tricophagia and a ball of hair can get deposited in the stomach. Do not worry as you have decided to stop this habit; get the hair cut properly or tried together in such a way that you can not swallow them. Get a barium X-ray of the stomach, or still better the upper GI endoscopy to watch for hair built up in the stomach., If nothing is found just stop worrying and strictly stop the habit. If the hair are present in small amount these can be removed endoscopically and you may not any surgery at all.