Kid that eats paper when nobody is looking
By Timeout
@Timeout (419)
7 responses
@bingskee (5234)
• Philippines
29 Oct 11
could it be an unconscious mannerism like biting that eventually lead to eating paper? my daughter was caught when she was more than a year old tasting and eating booger. gross, isn't it? but it happened. we were always on guard and watching her and if she tries, she will be stopped. for what seems to be endless times, she forgot about it probably realizing that it is a bad habit. (thank God! 
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)@Timeout (419)
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29 Oct 11
haha I used to eat my own booger too when I was little, my parents told me. A lot of kids eat their own booger, I once read an explanation of why it happens. In the past, it helped our ancestors survive, (in the stone age there was no medicins or doctors, so booger containing small doses of bacteria helped our body producing antibodies and fight against real diseases better) and that instinct remains in some individuals nowadays. :P
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
28 Oct 11
It sounds like he might have pica. A family friend's daughter had that. She would eat erasers and crayons and other little things like that. I would take him to the doctor and find out for sure before he eats something harmful. Most kids I think grow out of it but there might be things you can do to help keep him from doing it.
@Timeout (419)
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29 Oct 11
Oh my god, I didn't know about pica and I just made a few research and learned about it. I remember in my classroom when I was like 6 or 7, a kid that ate crayons, rubbers and glue, once he ate so much glue he started having hallucinations, he said everyone was headless and was really scared. But he had no dad and his mum was always at work, so he didnt receive a good education, this kid im talkin about is a kid I give him spanish lessons and is from a fine family.
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
28 Oct 11
He is already 9 yrs old?
Is he doing this when he was small?
I guess this is same like a habit that he was not able to overcome.
if he is doing such thing when he is small and you did not stopped him,that's the reason why.
I guess you need some professional help to make him stop this kind of habit.
@Timeout (419)
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28 Oct 11
He used to eat the necks and fists of his jumpers too, now he does not do it. He still eats the fluff of his dressing gown too. And yea he knows he doesnt have to do it, but he does it when nobody is watching. His mum tells him off when he does it I dont know if that counts as 'trying to stop him'.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
28 Oct 11
I believe that would be a bad unknowing habit as really at 9 they know it is not something they should be doing. I would discuss with his pediatrician as this cannot be a healthy thing to be doing. Maybe he can suggest what could be done.
It could be something he might outgrow but in the interim it can be harming him.
@ShyBear88 (59282)
• Sterling, Virginia
28 Oct 11
People that eat paper for no reason normally have a medical condition that affects there fiber. You should get him tested for it or other medical conditions. Also a parent nor teacher should tell off a child to me that means they are cursing at a child.
@sam3m1 (190)
• United States
29 Oct 11
i suggest a good physical exam with blood tests to determine vitamin/mineral deficiencies. often children will ingest substances which contain things that they need, even though those things may harm them.
another possibility is pica which is a behavioral disorder best treated by a psychiatrist or psychologist.
