Extremely Rare ‘Rapunzel Syndrome’ Can Cause a Hairball So Large It Requires Surgery
A serious outcome from a compulsive behavior.
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A rare medical condition called Rapunzel Syndrome can develop when people compulsively pull out and ingest their own hair, leading to dangerous hairballs that may require surgical removal. The condition stems from trichotillomania, a disorder in which individuals repeatedly pluck their hair as a coping mechanism. When swallowed hair accumulates in the stomach, it forms a trichobezoar—a mass that the human digestive system cannot break down because hair consists primarily of keratin, which our enzymes cannot process.
A recent case documented in the Journal of Medical Case Reports highlights how Rapunzel Syndrome can develop without obvious warning signs. A 16-year-old girl was admitted to the emergency department after experiencing severe vomiting. Medical imaging revealed a massive hairball extending from her stomach into her small intestine, completely blocking her digestive tract. Remarkably, the patient had no history of psychiatric illness, visible hair loss, or other typical indicators of hair-pulling disorder, making her case particularly unusual.
During surgery to remove the obstruction, doctors learned the girl had been pulling out and eating small amounts of hair—roughly three strands weekly—for approximately two years. She attributed the behavior to migraine-related cyclic vomiting that had affected her since childhood, though she denied experiencing trauma, stress, or abuse. Following the procedure, she received sertraline treatment and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Medical experts emphasize the importance of recognizing trichobezoars even when patients lack obvious symptoms or psychiatric diagnoses, as the condition can prove life-threatening if left untreated.
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Originally reported by Sciencealert →
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