She is now seeking professional help after doctors said her symptoms were similar to that of pica syndrome. I hated it'.
Ms Anderson kept her condition secret for 10 years until her ex-partner stormed into the bathroom having grown suspicious of her regular visits. It was not until she visited her GP last year that doctors suggested she may have pica syndrome.
Pica often occurs alongside mental health disorders that impair functioning, such as autism or schizophrenia. It can also be a sign of OCD or stress. Talcum powder is a powder made from a mineral called talc which is poisonous to the body if either inhaled or consumed. Breathing problems are the most common side effect as well as a cough and eye irritation, according to Medline Plus. But it can also cause chest pain, twitching of limbs, blisters on the skin, blue colouring, low blood pressure, convulsions, diarrhoea, vomiting and lung failure.
People who have inhaled or ingested talcum powder are advised to seek help immediately. In its natural form, some talc contains asbestos, a substance known to cause cancers in and around the lungs when inhaled. The prevalence of pica is not known but it most likely is more prevalent in developing countries, according to The National Eating Disorders Associations. Ms Anderson has been referred by her GP for counselling, and is due to start this month. Her habit is not without health risks — talcum powder is a powder made from a mineral called talc, a clay mineral made up of silicon, magnesium and oxygen.
It is thought the mineral is poisonous to the body if either inhaled or consumed. Breathing problems are the most common side effect as well as a cough and eye irritation. But it can also cause chest pain and even lung failure as well as low blood pressure, convulsions, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Ms Anderson said: 'Despite doing this for years and years I sat down earlier this year and thought this just cannot be normal. But it turns out it is a condition. And I just want to let others know they are not alone. This is because in its natural form, talc contains asbestos, a deadly substance known to cause cancers when consumed for long periods of time even at a low level.
In , a US study found a 33 per cent increase in the risk of ovarian cancer with genital talc use. The NHS dubbed the study too small to be conclusive but does note gynaecologists recommend using plain, unperfumed soaps to gently wash the vagina.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Argos AO. Privacy Policy Feedback. Share this article Share. The mother-of-two, pictured with Ruby and son Billy, two, hid her habit from friends and family at first. Even on holiday, Mrs Foster will take a bottle of talc with her left. She says the urges became stronger during both of her pregnancies with Ruby and Billy right.
At first, she did not tell anybody what she was doing for fear of embarrassment. But then, in the summer of , she was on holiday with her family on the Isle of Wight. At the time, she was pregnant with her son Billy, now two, and so her cravings were even stronger than usual.
Pica is an eating disorder that is characterised by the desire to eat items with little or no nutritional value. These can include anything from stones, sand, paint and dirt to talcum powder. It is most common in people with learning disabilities and during pregnancy. It can cause a range of serious complications if the person is eating something that is poisonous or indigestible. These include being poisoned by toxic ingredients and having a part of the body obstructed which is often seen in people who eat hair.
It can also lead to excessive calorie intake, but also nutritional deprivation if the person eats a substance with no nutritional value instead of nutritious foods. The person can also damage their teeth and be infected with parasites.
Mrs Foster recognises herself as having Pica disorder — the compulsion to eat non-food substances such as brick, sand and soil. Now, she said she downs talcum powder 'like sherbet. Sometimes, she'll have a drink afterwards, but, as that washes away the taste, she prefers to eat the powder on its own.
She also told how she does not hide her addiction from her children as she doesn't believe they'll follow suit. Mrs Foster has never considered her habit bad for her health although health professionals warn against it, saying it can harm both mother and baby. She continued: 'When I was pregnant I didn't think it was harmful to my baby.
I wonder if it's linked to the talcum powder or something else. Anyone who suspects they have Pica is advised to seek medical help from their GP. Mrs Foster hid her strange addiction from husband Dan to begin with.
But now Ruby tells tales when she sees her mother eating it. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call your local emergency number such as , or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline from anywhere in the United States.
Seek medical help right away. DO NOT make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to. If the person swallowed face powder, give them water or milk right away, unless a provider tells you not to. DO NOT give anything to drink if the person has symptoms that make it hard to swallow. These include vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness.
Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning.
They will give you further instructions. This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency.
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