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Eating Soap (Sapophagia): What You Need To Know

Why Do Children Eat Soap

It is not rare to see children eat soap, and you may wonder why they feel the urge. It is important to know that, in most cases, children eat soap out of a desire for mischief and genuine curiosity.

They eat soap because they don’t know any better and they are eager to know what it tastes like. In some cases, children develop the condition (pica), making them want to eat soap. Children may also develop the condition pica, causing them to want to eat soap.

A study was done in Germany in 2018 and it was discovered that 12 percent of children involved in the study had pica. Scientists then concluded that pica may be relatively common within that age group.

Absence of certain classes of food in the diet plays a vital role in compelling children to eat soap.

Mental health illnesses and autism can increase the chances of a child having pica. However, it is important to know that pica in children reduces as the child grows older.