Fear of bald people (peladophobia)

People with peladophobia feel afraid or uneasy around bald people. It might be hard to look at a shaved head, or there may be tension when meeting bald men or women at work or socially. Sometimes the fear traces back to a specific memory, and sometimes there is no obvious cause.

About this phobia

This is a rarely reported fear that appears mainly on online lists of phobias, with no clear clinical record behind it. It is easily confused with phalacrophobia, which is the fear of becoming bald yourself. Other fears about how people look, such as pogonophobia, the fear of beards, are related.

How it shows up

With peladophobia, a person might feel their stomach drop when a bald stranger sits beside them on the bus, or find it hard to focus in a meeting led by a bald manager. They often know the reaction makes little sense, which can add embarrassment to the fear. Unlike a simple preference about looks, the response is automatic and can be strong enough to change where they sit or who they talk to. Some people react mainly to shaved heads, others to natural baldness.

Common triggers

• Meeting a bald person face to face
• Shaved heads in photos or films
• A bald person standing close by
• Shiny or uncovered scalps
• Reminders of a past event involving a bald person
• Bald villains on screen

Where it shows up

• Work meetings and interviews
• Public transport
• Gyms and sports clubs
• Family gatherings
• Television and online videos
• Hospitals and clinics

Symptoms

In your body

• Racing heart
• Sweaty palms
• Feeling hot or flushed
• An urge to look away
• Tight stomach

In your mind

• Unease or dread
• Embarrassment about the reaction
• Unwanted memories
• Worry that others will notice the reaction

What you might do

• Avoiding eye contact
• Choosing seats away from bald people
• Turning down events where a certain person will be
• Hanging back rather than joining in

What may cause it

There is no clinical research on a fear of bald people, so causes can only be guessed from what is known about phobias in general. A frightening experience with someone who happened to be bald could become linked to the look itself. Films that give shaved heads to villains may add to the feeling for some. Avoiding contact then keeps that link strong, because there are few chances to have calm, ordinary moments with bald people.

How it can affect your life

Because baldness is so common, this fear can make work, travel and social life awkward. It may also strain relationships with bald relatives or colleagues and bring guilt about seeming unkind. It can feel especially hard when a friend loses their hair through illness, as the fear clashes with wanting to be there for them.

Related fears

• Fear of becoming bald (phalacrophobia)
• Fear of beards (pogonophobia)
• Social anxiety

Things that can help day to day

• Look at photos of friendly bald public figures for short spells
• Notice the jolt and slow your breathing until it passes
• Bring to mind bald people you know and trust
• Spend a little more time each week near someone you feel safe with

When to get help

If the fear links to past mistreatment by someone, a GP or specialist counsellor can help you find support. Seek help too if it is affecting your work or family life.

Explore more unusual fears in the rare phobias A to Z, or browse the common phobias.

About me

Common questions

What is the difference between peladophobia and phalacrophobia?

Peladophobia is a fear of bald people, while phalacrophobia is a fear of going bald yourself. Both terms are rare and mostly found on phobia lists. Some people experience a bit of both, especially if baldness runs in the family.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Further reading: Cleveland Clinic: Pogonophobia (fear of beards) · NHS: Hair loss · NHS: Phobias

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