Fear of leprosy (leprophobia)

Leprophobia is a fear of leprosy, an infection that is now very rare in the UK. Someone with this fear may worry about skin marks, numb patches or contact with people who have travelled. Any skin changes or numbness are worth checking with a GP, who can look at them properly.

About this phobia

The name links to lepra, the Greek and Latin word for leprosy. The term is rarely reported, though worry about leprosy has a long history because of the stigma once attached to the illness. Today it sits within the broader picture of health anxiety and fear of infection.

What it feels like

• Checking the skin often for patches, marks or numb areas
• Avoiding people or places linked in the mind to the illness
• Searching symptoms online and feeling worse afterwards

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

Common questions

How likely is it to catch leprosy in the UK?

Leprosy is very rare in the UK, does not spread easily, and can be treated with a course of medicine. Fear does not always follow the facts, though, so if the worry keeps coming back, talking it through can help. Any real symptoms should be checked by a GP.

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