Madhepura: A 22-year-old woman from Supaul district had nearly one kilogram of hair surgically removed from her stomach at a private hospital in Madhepura. Doctors revealed that the woman had been secretly consuming her own hair for nearly three years due to a psychological disorder.
Poonam Devi was rushed to the hospital late Saturday night with complaints of vomiting and severe abdominal pain. She underwent surgery the next day. “We were stunned to find a one-kilo hairball lodged in her stomach,” said Dr. Santosh, the surgeon who operated on her. “She had been eating hair since 2022, but the symptoms worsened earlier this year.”
A Prolonged Illness
According to Dr. Santosh, the woman had first consulted him in March 2025, complaining of intermittent stomach pain. Although treatment continued for four months, the pain persisted, prompting doctors to recommend surgery. The hair mass discovered during the operation was the cause of her chronic discomfort, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Post-surgery, Poonam admitted that her habit began during her third pregnancy in 2023. “I was under immense stress about raising my daughters,” she told doctors. “Whenever I was alone, I would eat my hair in secret.” Her husband accidentally witnessed the behavior in early 2024, after which she sought medical help in Supaul but found no relief.
Diagnosed with Trichotillomania and PICA
Doctors diagnosed Poonam with trichotillomania, a psychological condition characterized by the compulsive urge to pull out and eat one’s own hair. It is classified under Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders.
“In such cases, the hair consumed does not digest and accumulates in the stomach, sometimes forming large, compact masses,” explained Dr. Santosh. “It can even reach the intestines, causing serious complications.”
Poonam also exhibited symptoms of PICA, another disorder where individuals consume non-nutritive items such as hair, chalk, soil, or paper. PICA is commonly observed in children and pregnant women and is often linked to stress, malnutrition, or underlying psychological issues.
Potential Complications
Medical experts warn that if left untreated, trichotillomania and PICA can lead to multiple health and psychological complications. “In trichotillomania, patients often experience guilt, social withdrawal, depression, and even baldness due to hair pulling,” Dr. Santosh said. “In PICA, consuming indigestible substances can lead to intestinal blockages, constipation, infections, and nutritional deficiencies.”
Poonam is currently recovering and undergoing psychiatric counseling. Doctors say early intervention and mental health support are essential to prevent recurrence.
