Nobody likes to suffer from skin diseases, just as nobody wants to have pimples or blemishes on their skin. But when it goes from being something we don’t like to an illogical fear that we can’t control, it becomes a phobia. We tell you what exactly dermatophobia is and how you can overcome this fear of pimples and skin diseases.
What is dermatophobia
Experts associate dermatophobia, also known as dermatopathophobia, with the irrational and unjustified fear of skin diseases. People who suffer from this phobia fear that lesions will appear on their skin, especially pimples but also wounds or scars.
This alteration becomes a phobia when it appears in the form of a disproportionate fear taking into account the actual situation and conditions that the patient is going through.
Sometimes dermatophobia is associated with trypophy. While the first refers to all kinds of skin lesions, the second alludes to patterns with holes (which also include pimples). Therefore, dermatopathophobia is a term related only to the skin.
The most common irrational fears
- Every patient suffering from dermatophobia develops an irrational fear of a different skin problem. And, in fact, the phobia can change over time. These are some of the most common irrational fears when it comes to this skin phobia.
- At the appearance of pimples or blackheads, but also wounds, scars, burns.
- At very high or very low temperatures, due to the consequences that these could have on the skin.
- To having too dry or very oily skin, which could be interpreted as a symptom of a worrisome skin disease.
- Because certain products, such as gels or soaps, damage the skin.
- To the appearance of dreaded spots and marks, which could become indelible scars.
- To tattoos and piercings that pierce the skin.
The causes of this irrational phobia
- Many people confuse the desire to always have perfect skin with this phobia. Although no one would like to have pimples, not everyone suffers from dermatophobia. For this reason, this alteration is not as common as one tends to think.
- Like any other type of phobia, there are multiple reasons why it can occur: it is possible that said person has been educated since childhood from the excessive fear of skin lesions, it is possible that they have had to expose themselves to a serious skin problem in a traumatic way, accumulates false beliefs about skin diseases, etc.
- Those who do not undergo therapy to learn how to deal with their phobia can have serious problems. In fact, it can become a disabling disorder when it is suffered in its highest degree.
Symptoms that I have an irrational fear of pimples
Dermatophobia is a specific phobia, that is, it generates anxiety about what is feared, in this case, skin diseases. These are some of the signs and symptoms that sufferers develop.
The main symptom of dermatophobia is anxiety over pimples and other injuries caused by some type of skin disease. This anxiety often translates into the following physical symptoms: tachycardia, increased sweating, muscle tension, nausea, headache, chills, etc.
It is possible that this anxiety is also manifested, even when the wound or injury is suffered by a person close to the patient.
On many occasions, people who suffer from this phobia are unable to control this fear. And, although he knows that it is an irrational fear, and that it is not in any way justified, he cannot help but suffer it.
When the phobia is displayed at a very high level, the patient feels frustrated and hopeless. There are those who end up developing a picture of depression for not being able to face the situation.
When you suffer from dermatophobia, you tend to exaggerate skin problems. For example, a mild itchy skin can be misinterpreted as a symptom of a more serious illness.
People who suffer from dermatopathophobia often look in the mirror to examine their skin. They spend a lot of time looking for new blemishes on the face, the part of the body that tends to worry them the most. However, many other people react in the opposite way and prefer not to look at themselves to avoid facing their fears.
As a consequence of this obsession with the state of the skin, there are patients who undergo skin treatments, such as harmful antibacterial soaps, which end up being abrasive.
Those who suffer from dermatophobia often suffer from quite high levels of anxiety, beyond skin-related problems.
How to overcome dermatopathophobia
Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish where the line is between the dislike for the appearance of a pimple and the irrational fear of its exposure. Therefore, those who suffer from it are not always aware of the problem.
However, it is worth putting yourself in the hands of a specialist to learn how to overcome this phobia, especially when it manifests itself in a very intense way. If not treated properly, the alteration could become more serious with the passage of time.
An expert in psychology will be able to offer you the keys to reach the most effective treatment in your case. But, generally, these are the most used strategies to overcome a phobia like this.
Relaxation techniques
In cases where the phobia shows itself in a milder way, relaxation techniques can be useful to control fears. Among the most useful relaxation techniques in these cases, progressive muscle relaxation or meditation.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
A cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to analyze the perceptions and thoughts that influence people’s behaviors. An attempt is made to change negative thoughts for more positive ones that allow patients to feel better on an emotional level.
In this way, the specialist will try to help the patient learn new skills to face their fears. Thus he will learn to change all those thoughts that trigger the anxiety of the phobia.