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Hair Pulling/Eating

S-TunaS-Tuna member
in Special Needs

DS will be 2 in a few weeks, and he has brain abnormalities resulting in global developmental delays. In the last month or so, he has started to pull out his hair and eat it. He has always had a "thing" for fibrous materials (carpet, fleece blankets, cat hair, anything that can be picked off a stuffed animal). He usually grabs other kids' hair in social settings; Not in a mean way, he just likes to pull out and eat hair. He has seen two OTs recently, and both have suggested different things. What we have decided to try is a brushing technique and offering a variety of textures in food. I don't know if this is typical and something he will grow of or if there is something more to it. I don't know what else to do about it.

FWIW, he usually pulls/eats when we are in the car and when he is laying down for nap and bedtime. Also, he will bang his head on anything available or hit himself on the head when he is mad/frustrated/grumpy. He will also poke himself in the eye (we think it happens) when he wants to get down from his high chair or out of his car seat. We usually try to ignore these behaviors, describe out loud how he is (probably) feeling, and redirect. I can really only do this with hair pulling in the car because I'm not in his room at nap or bedtime. I feel like there isn't much we can do, and I'm afraid he is going to end up with a blockage in his intestines or something. Does anyone have suggestions?

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Re: Hair Pulling/Eating

  • abs05abs05 member
    Have you googled trichotillomania?  It's an impulse disorder that causes you to pull out your hair.  I think redirecting is good, but also make sure he has something to do keep his hands busy in the car or at night.  Perhaps chewy tubes would help the sensation of needing something in his mouth.  The good news is most kids do outgrow it, but there are definitely things you can do to help.  Good luck!
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  • S-TunaS-Tuna member

    We do have 2 chewy tubes, which he uses sometimes. I will try to carry them on us in the car more.

    We have tried a multi-vitamin in the past (flintstones), but he stops pooping every time I give him a vitamin. He has issues with constipation already; he takes Miralax everyday. I haven't tried it in a while, though. I will try it again soon. He just ended a 4-day-no-poo spree, so I'll wait until he is regular again.

    The article from the second link scares me a little because his hair is so accessible right now, and there is no "alternative"at bedtime. I will call to schedule a haircut for him tomorrow. (Wahhhh! My baby is growing up too fast!) 

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  • august06momaugust06mom member
    Have you tried a vibrating toothbrush? DS2 likes to chew on things and he loves his toothbrush. It really helps when I notice he is mouthing things he shouldn't be.
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  • S-TunaS-Tuna member
    We have 2 electric toothbrushes, and he is hit or miss, usually miss lately. He used to like it a lot, so we keep trying.
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