Can humans digest hair?
February 2, 2008 11:12 PM Subscribe
Can humans digest hair?
Precipitating fact: cats seem unable to digest their own.
Precipitating fact: cats seem unable to digest their own.
Not only is human hair indigestible, but if you swallow enough of it you might end up with a bezoar.
posted by infinitywaltz at 11:29 PM on February 2, 2008
posted by infinitywaltz at 11:29 PM on February 2, 2008
People dying after eating enough of their hair come up in the news every so often.
posted by lou at 11:57 PM on February 2, 2008
posted by lou at 11:57 PM on February 2, 2008
Recent "human hairball" news story with fascinating-yet-disgusting photo here.
posted by O9scar at 12:00 AM on February 3, 2008
posted by O9scar at 12:00 AM on February 3, 2008
To be more specific, "trichobezoar." Bezoars can be made out of anything indigestible.
posted by ikkyu2 at 10:30 AM on February 3, 2008
posted by ikkyu2 at 10:30 AM on February 3, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
Think about all the caustic chemicals and heat that people put on their hair to get it to change shape. Whether it's to straighten or to curl, the process is rather involved. And that's just to change shape, never mind digest. Our stomachs aren't built to do it.
posted by sbutler at 11:19 PM on February 2, 2008