Why do I crave Irish Spring soap? Exploring the causes of pica

December 16, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, pica—the compulsive eating of non-food items—is a relatively common eating disorder, especially among children and pregnant women. Craving and consuming soap, a specific type of pica known as sapophagia, is a medically recognized phenomenon with several potential underlying causes.

Quick Summary

This article explains why a person might crave Irish Spring soap by detailing the medical condition pica, exploring potential links to nutritional deficiencies like iron deficiency, discussing psychological factors and sensory triggers, and outlining the health risks and recommended treatment options for sapophagia.

Key Points

Craving is a form of pica: Craving and consuming non-food items like soap, known as sapophagia, is a medical condition called pica.
Iron deficiency is a common cause: Low iron (anemia) is a frequently identified cause of pica, where the body seeks non-food items to compensate for a nutrient shortfall.
Psychological factors play a role: Stress, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders can trigger or exacerbate pica as a coping mechanism.
Soap ingestion is dangerous: Eating soap can cause gastrointestinal distress, intestinal blockages, and even organ damage due to its non-edible chemical components.
Seek medical diagnosis and treatment: If you experience this craving, it is crucial to consult a doctor to rule out nutritional deficiencies and seek therapy for behavioral management.
Manage triggers for recovery: Limiting access to the item and implementing behavioral therapy techniques are key strategies for managing sapophagia.

What is Sapophagia and How Does it Relate to Irish Spring?

Sapophagia is the medical term for the compulsive craving and ingestion of soap. While the urge might fixate on a specific brand, like Irish Spring, the underlying issue is the same regardless of the particular soap. The intense, clean scent of Irish Spring can act as a powerful trigger for this compulsion. People with sapophagia may not only eat the soap but also obsess over its smell and texture. This behavior, while seemingly odd, is a manifestation of pica, an eating disorder characterized by eating things that are not food.

Nutritional Deficiencies That May Trigger Cravings

One of the most frequently cited causes of pica is a nutritional deficiency, most commonly iron deficiency anemia. The body's natural response to a shortage of essential minerals can manifest as a craving for non-food items, although the exact mechanism is not fully understood. Other deficiencies that have been linked to cravings for unusual substances include zinc and calcium. A blood test from a healthcare provider is the only way to confirm if a deficiency is the root cause.

Iron Deficiency (Anemia): Iron is vital for transporting oxygen in the blood, and low levels can cause extreme fatigue and unusual cravings. While the body is trying to compensate for low energy, it may misinterpret the need and produce a craving for non-nutritive items like soap.
Zinc Deficiency: Zinc plays a role in appetite control and taste perception. A lack of zinc can alter taste buds, potentially contributing to a desire for unusual flavors or textures found in soap.
Calcium Deficiency: Some cases of pica have also been linked to low calcium levels, suggesting the body may seek out minerals from non-traditional sources.

Psychological and Sensory Factors Behind the Craving

Beyond physiological triggers, psychological and sensory elements can also contribute to a craving for Irish Spring soap. The compulsion can be a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or other underlying mental health conditions.

Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum: Some researchers consider sapophagia to be part of the obsessive-compulsive spectrum, where the act of consuming the soap provides temporary relief from anxiety. The repetitive nature of the craving and consumption can become a compulsive ritual.
Sensory Seeking: The distinct scent, texture, and taste (even though it is unpleasant) of Irish Spring can provide a form of sensory stimulation. For some individuals, this can be a soothing behavior, similar to chewing on ice (pagophagia), which is another form of pica.
Pregnancy: Pica is especially common during pregnancy, with hormonal shifts and increased nutritional demands potentially causing unusual cravings. In many cases, these cravings subside after childbirth.

Potential Dangers of Eating Soap

It is critical to understand that consuming soap, even in small amounts, is not safe and can pose serious health risks. Soap contains chemical ingredients that are not meant for consumption and can cause significant harm.


Health Risk	Potential Consequences	How It's Caused
Gastrointestinal Distress	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or blood in stool.	The highly alkaline pH of soap and non-food ingredients can irritate and damage the lining of the digestive tract.
Digestive System Blockage	Intestinal blockage, tearing, or bowel obstruction.	Consuming large, undigested pieces of soap over time can cause serious blockages that may require surgery.
Organ Damage	Liver damage due to over-stress, electrolyte imbalance, or inflammation of other body parts.	The liver must filter out non-food ingredients, and chronic ingestion places significant stress on it.
Chemical Irritation	Burns to the esophagus, lips, or tongue; difficulty breathing.	Certain chemical agents and preservatives in soap can cause immediate, painful irritation to sensitive tissues.

How to Seek Help and Treatment

If you or someone you know is experiencing a persistent craving for Irish Spring or any other soap, it is essential to seek professional help. The behavior can indicate an underlying medical or psychological issue that requires attention. Fortunately, pica is often treatable.

Consult a doctor: The first step is to see a healthcare provider. They can order blood tests to check for nutritional deficiencies, such as iron or zinc levels. Addressing these deficiencies with supplements can often resolve the cravings.
Seek psychological evaluation: A mental health professional can help determine if the craving is linked to an anxiety, stress, or other psychological condition.
Behavioral therapy: Therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), can help in developing coping mechanisms and redirecting the compulsive behavior.
Remove triggers: Limiting exposure to the item being craved, such as switching from bar soap to liquid body wash, can also be a helpful strategy.

Conclusion

Craving Irish Spring soap is a manifestation of a medical condition known as pica, or more specifically, sapophagia. The root cause can range from a treatable nutritional deficiency like low iron to an underlying mental health issue. While the compulsion provides no nutritional value and carries significant health risks, effective treatments are available. Consulting a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan is the safest and most important step to take towards overcoming this unusual craving and addressing the root cause. This condition, while embarrassing for some, is a medical issue, and seeking help is a sign of strength.

Note: If you or someone you know has ingested a harmful amount of soap, please contact Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222.

Visit the Cleveland Clinic website for more comprehensive information on pica and its treatments.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pica is an eating disorder that involves compulsively craving and eating non-food items with no nutritional value, such as dirt, clay, ice, or soap.

It can be. While not the only cause, iron deficiency anemia is a well-documented cause of pica, and craving soap can be a symptom of this nutritional imbalance.

Consuming soap can lead to gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting, bowel obstructions, and potential organ damage from processing non-food chemicals.

Pica, including the craving for soap, is more common during pregnancy due to shifting hormonal and nutritional needs. However, it should still be addressed by a doctor.

Diagnosis typically involves a medical evaluation by a doctor, including a physical exam and blood tests to check for nutritional deficiencies like anemia. A psychological evaluation may also be part of the process.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. It can include nutritional supplements if a deficiency is found, behavioral therapy to help manage compulsions, and addressing any underlying mental health conditions.

If a small amount of soap is ingested, rinse their mouth and offer sips of water. For larger amounts or concentrated products, call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222. Follow up with a doctor for any persistent symptoms or if the behavior is compulsive.