Do I need to see someone about my soap eating obsession?

Dear Soap-Eater, 

It seems like you might be on a slippery slope, but you’re not alone. Your soap eating habit might be linked to a medical condition called pica, which is characterized by regularly eating nonedible items. One type of pica is sapophagia, which involves eating soap. A health care professional can determine if pica is behind your soap eating habit and suggest treatments to reduce it. If necessary, these treatments can potentially lower risks like stomach issues, poisoning, or cancer that may come with eating soap. Read on to learn more about sapophagia, its risks, treatment options, and alternative ways to cope with stress.  

What is sapophagia? 

Sapophagia is the uncontrollable craving to eat soap. This behavior is a type of pica, which is a health condition where people regularly eat inedible items, including clay, ice, sand, paint flakes, or bar soap.  

Pica has also been linked to iron or zinc deficiencies. Additionally, there’s some evidence that suggests that pica behavior is a common practice in certain cultures or social groups. Childhood stressors like poor nutrition or emotional distress can also increase the risk of developing pica. In adults, pica may appear alongside stress, pregnancy, or certain mental health conditions—such as schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, or autism spectrum disorder. That said, the exact causes of pica require further exploration.   

What are the health risks of eating soap? 

Eating bar soap might seem harmless, but it comes with some health risks, including: 

• Upset stomach: swallowing soap can bubble up trouble in your digestive system, leading to diarrhea or vomiting.
• Allergic reactions: some harsh ingredients in bar soap may trigger an allergic reaction, making your tongue or throat swell. 
• Liver stress: your liver works hard to filter toxins. Eating large amounts of soap forces it to work overtime to clear out ingredients that aren’t meant to be ingested. This can put more stress on the liver.  
• Poisoning risk: eating too much soap can lead to poisoning depending on the ingredients in the soap. Warning signs of poisoning include a burning throat, dizziness, difficulty breathing, or vomiting blood. If this happens, reach out to emergency services or the Poison Control Hotline right away.
• Cancer: some soap ingredients are safe on the skin, but harmful if swallowed often, which may raise the risk of cancer over time.  

Are there any treatments for sapophagia? 

Treating sapophagia often includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), vitamin supplements, or stress relief strategies. If soap eating is a concern, speaking with a health care provider is a great first step. They can guide you towards a treatment plan that works best for you. They may run some blood tests to check for nutritional deficiencies. If you’re low in minerals like zinc or iron, vitamin supplements may be recommended as a way to reduce the urge to eat soap.  

Additionally, if soap eating is connected to stress, a health care provider might connect you to a mental health professional. This way they can help you develop personalized strategies for managing stress. Mental health professionals often recommend CBT as it uses mindfulness techniques to help modify or scrub away unwanted habits and compulsions. 

What are alternative ways to cope with stress? 

When stress starts to lather up, there are some ways to cope. Some common approaches when dealing with stress may include self-care activities like: 

• Physical activity
• Participating in personal hobbies
• Deep breathing
• Spending time with loved ones
• Taking a walk
• Cooking a nutritious meal
• Enjoying a massage
• Reading a book 

What matters most is finding self-care that leaves you feeling good. Even small things, like fidgeting toys or chewing gum may help alleviate symptoms of stress, even if it's momentarily.  

Though eating soap can be tempting, it might be risky for your health. Speaking with a health care professional can help to find the root of your concern and seek the appropriate treatment, if necessary.  

Hopefully this helped pop your bubble of concern!