I started eating soap(Irish spring and Ivory),chalk, comet (bathroom cleaner) since I was 15. I was diagnosed with chronic anemia and started taking Repliva. Years later after the birth of my second child I started eating soap again. I had bought gum to cure the cravings but would then spit the gum out and eat the soap again. I hate this addiction, especially knowing that I am ingesting chemicals that can harm me
Hey OP! I have a similar issue. I crave soap (Irish spring and Dove white) and laundry detergent (Gain but I've never eaten it) baby powder and chalk or clay. I take the grated soap, baby powder and crushed chalk and taste that b/c the texture reminds me of detergent powder and I get my Irish spring fix. To satisfy my gain craving I store my edible clay w/a gain dryer sheet so it absorbs the smell and taste of the dryer sheet. Lately, I've been just storing my soap w/my kaolin clay along w/the dryer sheets. I've also been taking iron supplements to kick this habit. Using clay you stored w/your soaps and bathroom cleaner is a good way to slowly wean yourself from this habit of you don't wanna go cold turkey. Good luck :)!
I crave and eat Irish spring and dial soap ( original and mountain fresh) along with cornstarch. I may have low iron but it may also be stress related.
I craved coast and irish spring soap along with the white dirt clay until I started on iron supplements
I’ve always craved gain powder detergent original scent. I scoop small amounts, chew it and spit it out then rinse my mouth. I also do the same thing with Irish spring and dove white. I’m getting my iron levels checked because it’s probably damaging my teeth even though I don’t eat the soap or detergent.
OMG my mouth would water every time I smelled soap or laundry detergent. Especially if it was gain and Irish spring or recently, coast. Anything aquatic or mountain scented triggers my pica cravings so I'll have to stop keep stuff like that around. Even tho I like it lol.
Health Hero
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It's interesting that you have noticed a specific reaction in your mouth when smelling certain scents, particularly soap or laundry detergent. Our sense of smell is closely linked to our sense of taste, so it's possible that the scents you mentioned could be triggering a physiological response.
Pica is a condition characterized by persistent cravings and consumption of non-food items, such as dirt, clay, or ice. It's important to note that pica typically involves the consumption of non-food substances rather than just experiencing cravings triggered by certain scents.
If you find that certain scents trigger cravings or an unusual physiological response, it's worth mentioning this to a healthcare professional, such as your primary care physician or a specialist in internal medicine. They can evaluate your symptoms, take a detailed medical history, and conduct any necessary tests to determine if there is an underlying cause or if further investigation is needed.
In the meantime, it may be wise to avoid scents that trigger these cravings to reduce any discomfort or potential health risks associated with consuming non-food substances.
Pica is a condition characterized by persistent cravings and consumption of non-food items, such as dirt, clay, or ice. It's important to note that pica typically involves the consumption of non-food substances rather than just experiencing cravings triggered by certain scents.
If you find that certain scents trigger cravings or an unusual physiological response, it's worth mentioning this to a healthcare professional, such as your primary care physician or a specialist in internal medicine. They can evaluate your symptoms, take a detailed medical history, and conduct any necessary tests to determine if there is an underlying cause or if further investigation is needed.
In the meantime, it may be wise to avoid scents that trigger these cravings to reduce any discomfort or potential health risks associated with consuming non-food substances.
My cravings were cornstarch and soap. I first started eating soap around the time I hit puberty; I tried cornstarch and loved the texture around 2-3 years ago. What I did was put bars of Irish spring and coast in a plastic container filled with cornstarch. I'd take spoonfuls of cornstarch and bites of soap and swallow it. Ever since I started on iron supplements I haven't craved soap or cornstarch.