###Teen's Hair-Eating Habit Leads to Rare Life

Udaipur: A rare and potentially life-threatening medical condition caused by an unusual hair-eating habit was successfully treated at Geetanjali Hospital, where a team of surgeons gave a 17-year-old girl a new lease on life after removing a massive hairball from her stomach.

The teenager was admitted with extreme weakness and severe anemia. Initial investigations revealed that her hemoglobin level had dropped to just 6 g/dL, far below the normal range, prompting doctors to conduct a detailed evaluation.

According to Dr. Hemant Jain, GI Surgeon at Geetanjali Hospital, the patient had been suffering from a rare behavioral disorder in which she repeatedly pulled out her own hair and swallowed it. Over the years, the ingested hair accumulated inside her stomach, forming a large trichobezoar—a compact mass of hair that the digestive system is unable to break down.

Doctors explained that such cases are sometimes associated with the extremely rare Rapunzel Syndrome, where the hair mass extends from the stomach into the intestines, causing serious digestive complications.

"The giant hairball had occupied a significant portion of the patient's stomach, preventing proper nutrition and leading to severe anemia and progressive weakness," said Dr. Jain. "Early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention were crucial in saving her."

A multidisciplinary surgical team successfully removed the entire hair mass through surgery. The patient is recovering well under medical supervision and is expected to regain her health gradually.

Medical experts emphasized that treatment for such cases does not end with surgery. Psychological assessment and counseling are equally important, as hair-pulling (trichotillomania) and hair-eating (trichophagia) are behavioral conditions that require long-term management to prevent recurrence.

Dr. Jain urged parents and caregivers to remain alert if children or adolescents develop habits such as excessive hair pulling, chewing, or swallowing hair, or show unexplained weight loss, persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, or severe anemia. "Recognizing these warning signs early and seeking specialist care can prevent this rare disorder from becoming a life-threatening emergency," he said.

The case highlights how a seemingly harmless habit can evolve into a serious medical condition, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis, timely surgical care, and psychological support for complete recovery.