Cravings for ice cubes may signal a bigger health problem

I’m sure almost everyone has chewed on a piece of ice at some point in time. Shaved ice on a summer day is a classic heat wave treat, but crunching on actual ice cubes is a very different thing. Something may be abnormal health-wise when you have a deep craving for ice. If this sounds like you, let’s look at the potential causes and options for treatment.

The medical term that describes compulsively eating ice is called pagophagia. Gnawing on the pieces can not only be a sign of a dangerous underlying health condition, but it can also damage your teeth. Here are a few reasons why you might get the urge.

Iron deficiency anemia

There’s ample evidence supporting a link between iron deficiency and ice chip cravings. When your blood doesn’t have enough red blood cells, not enough oxygen is carried throughout your body’s tissues. Without iron, these red blood cells can’t be built. While it doesn’t happen to everyone with anemia, it is a relatively common experience that may provide your doctor a clue before deciding to get your blood drawn to truly diagnose it.

Pica

Pica is an eating disorder that involves eating anything with no nutritional value, so ice would fall into this category. Sometimes, pica can look like eating more benign things like ice or more dangerous things like paint, hair, or metal.

Since the severity of this condition can vary significantly and can quickly change, getting help in the initial phases is really important. Children and pregnant women are most at risk for developing it. Doctors and scientists don’t really know exactly what causes pica, but it’s more commonly seen in people with autism, those experiencing malnutrition, or are under high stress.

The problem with chronically chewing ice

Ice is just frozen water, so you definitely stay well-hydrated if you chew it frequently. That’s the only real benefit, though. In severe cases, this causes people to miss out on important nutrition and lead to nutrient deficiencies.

Ice has no calories, protein, fat, vitamins, or minerals. For some people, chewing ice turns into a replacement for meals and snacks, which is when the risk of nutrient deficiencies is at its highest. Additionally, you risk damaging your teeth. Even though ice melts, the act of chewing and crunching on it can lead to heightened cold sensitivity, tooth pain, or even structural damage.

Bottom Line

If you have ice cravings that disrupt your life, it’s imperative that you figure out why. If it’s iron deficiency anemia, your doctor and/or dietitian can help you optimize your diet or supplement routine to treat it.

If you have pica, treatment is more open-ended, depending on the likely root cause of the disorder. Oftentimes, therapy and other psychological interventions are part of the plan of care.

Also, be sure to visit your dentist if you experience any signs of pain or damage. There isn’t anything to be worried about if you chew a few pieces of ice here and there, as that doesn’t automatically mean you have a condition. If it becomes a daily obsession that you feel an uncontrollable urge to do, that’s when it’s important to seek care.