Child's Unusual Salt Craving: Causes & Concerns

Question
I have a 3 year old girl that demands to eat salt. She aquired this taste approx 2-3 weeks ago, she will pour straight salt into the palm of her hand and eat it like candy, she will ask several times a day and go to great lengths to find the salt, I have offered her extremly salty foods i.e. potatoe chips or crackers and she will lick off the salt and persistently ask for salt, I know her iron is low by the last check, is she lacking something important?  Should I be concerned?  Please help?
Dawn

Answer
Salt craving doesn't suggest any type of physical illness.  I used to love to eat bullion cube pieces when I was little.  And eating salt in this fashion isn't dangerous... I suspect it is simply a phase... she noticed the taste and likes the salt taste bud stimulation.... she will get over it on her own most likely.

Hope this helps...