Rapunzel Syndrome - Where people eats their hair!

While Rapunzel from the fairy tale had long hair, people eating their hair developing a special type of bezoar are said to be suffering from Rapunzel Syndrome. Bezoars are hairballs and are formed from a mixture of human hair and vegetable fibers that accumulate in the stomach, as the acid in the stomach is unable to dissolve and digest hair. Although extremely rare, this syndrome does exist. It is a rare form of tricophagia (hair eating), with only 68 documented cases as of writing this, with the first case reported in 1968.

What causes Rapunzel Syndrome?

As I have already mentioned, it occurs due to ingestion of hair. It is often associated with compulsive pulling of one’s hair and then eating them.

Signs and Symptoms of Rapunzel Syndrome

People suffering from Rapunzel Syndrome often present with signs and symptoms that overlap both gastrointestinal and psychiatric manifestations. Some are:

• Pain Abdomen or Stomach Ache
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Vitamin B12 Deficiency causing Anemia or Tingling of limbs
• Gut Obstruction or Perforation
• Accompanying Neuropsychiatric features
• Compulsive Disorders like OCD
• Mental Retardation
• Emotionally Disturbed

What makes Rapunzel Syndrome different from Tricophagia?

The bezoars that form in tricophagia only stay in the stomach. However, in Rapunzel Syndrome, the bezoars or hairball forms a tail that extends into the intestine as well. So it’s like a more complicated or upgraded version of bezoars you may say.

How Rapunzel Syndrome is diagnosed?

Based on the history and signs and symptoms your doctor may order multiple tests. But and endoscopy, which is the gold standard and CT-Scan is enough to confirm the diagnosis.

Rapunzel Syndrome Treatment

The first thing to do is to remove the hairball either through an endoscope or surgically. Apart from that, the psychiatric component must also be treated to prevent recurrences.

Now that you have learned about this rare condition, if you have beautiful long hair, don’t be tempted to eat it, or you may end up developing Rapunzel Syndrome.