Trichophagia (Greek: τριχοφαγία, from τρίχα, tricha “hair” φάγειν, phagein “to eat”) is the compulsive eating of hair. Most often, long hair is masticated while still attached to the head and then swallowed. The hair eventually collects in the gastrointestinal tract causing symptoms such as indigestion and stomach pain. A purgative can be given to induce the elimination of the resulting trichobezoar.