Rapunzel Syndrome: Understanding Hair Ingestion and Bezoars

Trichobezoar or Rapunzel syndrome, is an extremely rare condition in which a person ingests their own hair and forms a hairball or other type of bezoar in the stomach or small intestine.

* Trichophagia is a psychiatric condition in which a person has an impulse or longing to pull out or eat their hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes.

* Trichobezoars often require endoscopic interventions or surgical removal.

Signs & Symptoms

* Abdominal pain

* Nausea

* Vomiting (sometimes with hair)

* Weight Loss

Risk Factors

* Female gender

* Psychiatric illness

* Developmental disability

* History of childhood sexual abuse

Treatment

* Endoscopic retrieval with or without electrocautery

* Surgical removal