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Discuss Ladena Polansky's answer to: My good friends two year old daughter, whom I ...

My good friends two year old daughter, whom I watched often is pulling out her hair and putting it in her mouth. We dont know what to do her hair is getting pretty thin on her head.

Ladena Polansky Answered:

Pulling hair out may be a 2 year old frustration or not knowing the words to use, or it just may have started out that way. As far as it going in her mouth, that may be a bigger issue. Pica is an eating disorder where people eat things that are not normal to be eaten, such as dirt, small stones, pieces of metal, etc., but there is an actual hair eating disorder called Trichotillomania. If there is severe hair loss from this action, or if it continues, asking her about it will likely not help - she may not be able to tell you why she does it! "I don't know" may be the answer when something is beyond what her little mind can grasp! Either way, I would talk to a doctor. This is definitely something that needs to be checked out by someone who can at least point you in the right direction. Good Luck!