Stop eating slate pencil and chalk - side effects and treatment

Eating slate pencils has been a sort of trend now. Yes, this is true, people are eating slate pencils like they are eating chocolates . There are a lot of people who are addicted of eating inedible substances like slate pencils, chalk, raw rice or fuller’s earth. This blog is for those people who are addicted to these harmful non-food items . These inedible products causes a lot of damage to your body.

This habit of persistent eating of substances that are largely non-nutritive or inedible is termed as pica. It is a disorder in which a person has extreme craving for non-food items. This habit is mostly found in children, girls, females and pregnant women.

A pattern of eating chalk is a different story, however. Eating chalk often can disrupt your digestive system and cause damage to your internal organs.

Table of Contents

Diseases that are caused due to eating slate pencil

Several diseases are caused due to the eating of slate pencils or chalk. Some are mild but other effects the body badly in the future prospects.

Acute acidity
Mild, moderate and severe prolonged chest pain.
Mouth Ulcer
Tooth Damage
Cancer sores
Kidney stones – acute and chronic renal failure
Severe heartburn
Abdominal parasites are found.
Acute constipation which leads to anal fissure, hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse

Advantages of eating slate pencils

Slate pencils or chalk can never have any advantages. Recently edible chalks are introduced for this purpose, but those are even proven unsafe for health. There are certain benefits of advantages which are unproven yet. Consult your doctor always before eating chalk pencils.

The calcium present in chalk pencils provide strength to bones and also removes enamels from teeth.
Magnesium present in chalks or slate pencils helps in the calcium and phosphorous metabolism of the body.
Edible chalks can be consumed if there is a lack of calcium in the body. ( Always consult your doctor )
Calcium Carbonate present in slate pencils may sometimes treat heart burn.
There is also a feeling of fullness if there is a certain necessity of calcium in the body, the urge can be fulfilled.

Side effects of eating slate pencil

Side effects are general symptoms that are found immediately or after a certain period of time, after having these inedible substances. Slate pencil eating side effects include:

Lack of appetite in the body
Malnutrition in children
Inconsistent hemoglobin levels
Canker sores
Disturbed mind
A feeling of mild dizziness
Irritation is common
Can’t focus on a single thing

Eating slate pencils during pregnancy

Pregnant women basically develops an urge during their pregnancy phrase. This occurs due to the various mood swings and food cravings that occurs during the pregnancy period. But cravings for slate or chalk during this condition is not only harmful for your baby but also for you.

Malnutrition in your baby – Eating chalks will lead to malnutrition of your future child. Various harmful components are present in slate pencils such as carbon and lead which is not at all good for your baby’s health.
Pain in abdomen and vomiting– You may find this common during pregnancy. But, no, the harmful substances present in chalks lead to this pain ( obviously, if you are not eating chalks, the pain is natural)
Cancer Sores – Yes, consuming this substances will lead to cancer sores for pregnant women.
Gets your mouth lining damaged – Slate pencils are totally insoluble in water and when we chew them the inner lining of our mouth gets damaged. It also affects the tongue as well as our taste buds, and our whole mouth. We are not able to eat or drink any hot, spicy or sour foods or drinks.
Affects hemoglobin – Increase in hemoglobin is highly necessary during pregnancy. Such inedible substances leads to the lessening of the hemoglobin level in the blood.

Treatment of the urge of eating slate pencils

The treatment entirely depends on your will power to stop this urge. Diverting your mind and proper diet are other ways of controlling the urge.

Take calcium in diet to prevent calcium deficiency in the body, such as calcium tablets, milk, fish.
Take iron in diet. Recent studies has proven that iron deficiency to such cravings, so it is always recommended to have iron tablets and green leafy vegetables.
Take high amount of minerals in diet.
Take vitamins in diet, for bones. Sunlight is also a major source of vitamin.
Take walnut, almond and cashew to avoid the cravings.
Drink plenty of water to clean the body and to prevent constipation.
Do yoga and exercise to divert your mind.
Eat fruits on a regular basis.

Lastly I would conclude with the propaganda “Stay Healthy, Say no to slate pencils and chalk”