An Unusual Case of Trichotillomania and Trichophagia Associated with Authentic Hair Extension in a Young African-American Female Adult
December 2022
in “
Discover Psychology
”
Studysummary This case report describes a 23-year-old African-American woman who suffered a small bowel obstruction after ingesting hair from a hair weave, highlighting a specific risk associated with trichophagia in Black hair care practices. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
This case study details a 23-year-old African-American female with trichotillomania and trichophagia, who developed a small bowel obstruction from ingesting hair from her weave. The patient used hair consumption to relieve anxiety, especially during pregnancy. Post-surgery, she showed no psychiatric abnormalities. The study emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive approaches in understanding and managing trichotillomania and trichophagia, particularly in African-American populations.
