New Delhi: A rare medical case has come to light in Delhi, where doctors successfully removed a massive 1.16-kilogram hairball from the stomach of a 20-year-old woman. The hair had reportedly accumulated in her stomach over several years after she repeatedly swallowed it, eventually forming a large and hard mass.
Medically, such a mass of accumulated hair is known as a Trichobezoar. It is a rare condition in which swallowed hair continues to collect inside the stomach because the human digestive system cannot easily break it down.
Woman Had Been Swallowing Hair for Years
According to doctors, the young woman had been struggling with the habit of swallowing her hair since around the age of nine. While the habit may initially appear minor, repeatedly swallowing hair over a long period can cause it to accumulate inside the stomach.
Over time, the strands become tangled and form a dense mass. In this case, years of accumulation resulted in a massive hairball weighing approximately 1.16 kilograms.
Massive Hairball Formed Inside the Stomach
As the hair continued to accumulate, the woman gradually developed several health problems. She experienced symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite and weight loss.
Initially, such symptoms can be mistaken for common digestive problems. However, as the symptoms persisted, medical examinations were carried out. Doctors discovered a large hairball inside her stomach.
The mass had reportedly occupied a significant portion of the stomach and had grown to an unusually large size.
Endoscopy Was Not Possible, Surgery Was Required
Doctors initially considered whether the mass could be removed through an endoscopic procedure. However, because the hairball was extremely large and hard, it could not be removed through a routine endoscopic procedure.
Doctors therefore opted for laparoscopic surgery to remove the mass. During the procedure, the large hairball was successfully taken out of the stomach.
Following the surgery, doctors found that the removed hair mass weighed approximately 1.16 kilograms. Such large trichobezoars are considered extremely rare.
What Is a Trichobezoar?
A trichobezoar is a mass of hair that accumulates inside the stomach. When a person repeatedly swallows hair over a long period, the hair begins to collect inside the digestive system.
Hair is not easily digested by the human body. As a result, it can remain in the stomach and gradually become tangled with other strands. Over time, this can form a dense and solid mass.
While a small hairball may not always cause serious problems, a large trichobezoar can lead to stomach blockage, abdominal pain, vomiting and other complications if it continues to grow.
What Is Trichophagia?
The repeated habit of swallowing one's own hair is medically known as Trichophagia. It can sometimes be associated with repetitive behaviours such as pulling, chewing or playing with one's hair.
In some cases, people may not be fully aware of the habit or may engage in it during periods of stress, anxiety or other psychological conditions.
For this reason, surgery alone may not always be sufficient. Doctors may also evaluate the patient's psychological and behavioural condition to reduce the chances of the problem recurring.
Can This Condition Be Dangerous?
If a hair mass continues to grow inside the stomach without timely treatment, it can lead to serious health complications. A large trichobezoar can obstruct the normal passage of food through the digestive system.
Persistent vomiting, poor appetite and difficulty consuming or absorbing adequate nutrition can also result in weight loss and nutritional deficiencies.
In some severe cases, the hair mass can extend from the stomach into the small intestine. This condition is known as Rapunzel syndrome.
Early Diagnosis and Treatment Are Important
The case highlights why persistent symptoms such as abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss should not be ignored.
People who have a habit of swallowing their hair or repeatedly chewing and ingesting hair should seek medical advice. Depending on the situation, treatment may involve a gastroenterologist as well as a mental health professional.
The case is particularly notable because the 1.16-kilogram trichobezoar demonstrates how severely hair can accumulate inside the stomach when the habit continues for years. Early recognition, appropriate medical treatment and psychological support can help prevent serious complications and reduce the risk of recurrence.
