Fear of dryness (xerophobia)

Xerophobia is a fear of dryness, which might relate to dry places such as deserts, to dry skin or lips, or to a dry mouth. Some people constantly apply creams or sip water, while others avoid hot, dry climates. If you have ongoing dryness of the mouth, eyes or skin, it is worth checking with a GP.

About this phobia

The name comes from the Greek xeros, meaning dry, also found in the word xerography. It is a rarely reported term mostly seen on phobia lists. The fear may sit alongside health anxiety, particularly worries about thirst or dehydration.

What it feels like

• Repeatedly applying lip balm, creams or eye drops
• Carrying water at all times and worrying about running out
• Avoiding deserts, air conditioned rooms or dry winter air

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

Common questions

Could my worry about dryness have a physical cause?

Sometimes dryness is a sign of a health issue, so it makes sense to have ongoing symptoms checked by a GP. If the checks are clear but the worry continues, the fear itself may be the main problem to address.

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.

Ready to start?

Book a £49 consultation call and we’ll talk through your fear, or take the free suitability test first.

See all session options and prices