Is Eating Ice Harmful to Your Health?

When you're overheated or feeling unwell, sucking on an ice cube can offer quick relief. It's a simple way to cool off or hydrate when you're too queasy to drink water.

However, if you're constantly craving and chewing on ice, there might be an underlying issue. Here's what you should understand:

Why Do I Have a Desire to Eat Ice?

The urge to eat ice, known as pagophagia, is a type of pica disorder. Pica involves eating non-food items with little or no nutritional value, such as ice, dirt, or paper.

Certain mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or OCD, can lead to pica as a way of coping. Even stress alone can trigger this behavior.

Pica is often linked to an underlying medical condition, such as anemia.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia, marked by low levels of hemoglobin—the protein that carries oxygen in your red blood cells.

This type of anemia occurs when your body doesn't have enough iron. Without sufficient iron, there's not enough hemoglobin to deliver oxygen to your tissues, which leads to a shortage of oxygen throughout your body.

If you have iron deficiency anemia, you might crave ice. While the exact reason isn't clear, one theory is that eating ice could provide a temporary mental boost for those dealing with the condition.

Other symptoms may include:

• general fatigue and weakness
• pale skin
• shortness of breath
• headache
• irregular heartbeat
• dizziness
• a tingling feeling
• brittle nails
• tongue swelling or soreness
• cold hands and feet

If you think you might have iron deficiency anemia, it's important to consult a doctor right away. Along with a medical checkup, you can boost your iron intake by eating iron-rich foods such as meat, leafy greens, and beans.

Is Eating Ice Equivalent to Drinking Water?

Not exactly. While eating ice offers some of the same benefits as water, drinking water is a far more effective way to stay hydrated.

Potential Risks of Eating Ice

Chewing ice can lead to significant and painful dental issues that may require costly treatment.

The American Dental Association advises against eating ice because it can cause severe dental damage. Tooth enamel, which protects your teeth, is not designed to handle the hardness of ice. As enamel wears down, your teeth become more sensitive and more vulnerable to cavities.

Crunching on ice can also lead to cracked teeth. A crack is not only extremely painful, but it will worsen over time if left untreated.

If you aren't cautious, a cracked tooth can result in serious inflammation and further decay.

If your ice-eating habit is linked to anemia…

Most cases of iron deficiency anemia are simple to treat and typically don't cause lasting issues. However, if left untreated, anemia can lead to serious health concerns. For example:

1. Depression. Low iron levels can result in fatigue, which is often associated with depression. Studies have also shown that ferritin (the protein that stores iron) tends to be lower in those with depression.
2. Delays in motor or cognitive development in children. Iron is crucial for healthy tissue function, and children who lack sufficient iron may experience developmental delays.
3. Heart problems. A lack of oxygen in the body can strain the heart. Anemic individuals are at a significantly higher risk of heart attacks and heart disease compared to those without anemia.
4. Complications during pregnancy. While mild anemia is common during pregnancy due to increased blood volume, severe anemia can lead to preterm birth or low birth weight.

If your ice-craving is tied to pica…

Pica can be a sign of anemia, but it may also result from other causes. You might have a deficiency in another nutrient, such as zinc, or the behavior could stem from a mental health condition.

Chewing ice can cause dental damage, but it won't harm your internal organs. However, those with pica may feel the urge to consume other non-food items that could pose serious health risks.

Consuming non-edible items can result in:

• Poisoning. Effects of poisoning may be immediate or gradual. Many people with pica feel compelled to eat paint chips, which can result in lead poisoning.
• Intestinal blockages or tears. Your body isn't meant to ingest certain things, so pica may cause a blockage or tear in your intestines. These are serious, life-threatening issues that require immediate treatment.
• Choking. Depending on what you're compelled to eat, throat blockage is a serious risk for pica sufferers.

Can I Overcome My Craving for Ice?

If your ice-craving is linked to a physical health issue, addressing the underlying condition is essential for recovery.

If pica has developed due to stress, OCD, schizophrenia, or another mental health disorder, it's important to consult a mental health professional about possible treatments, including therapy or medication.