Fear of skin disease (dermatophobia)

Dermatophobia is a fear of skin disease. Someone with this fear may check their skin closely for spots and marks, worry about catching a rash from others, or avoid touching shared surfaces. Any real skin changes, such as a new or changing mole, are worth showing to a GP.

About this phobia

The word comes from the Greek derma, meaning skin. It is rarely reported, and the same word is also used on some lists with other meanings, such as a fear of skin itself. It overlaps with health anxiety and with dermatosiophobia, a similar term for fear of skin conditions.

What it feels like

• Checking the mirror often for new spots, rashes or marks
• Avoiding contact with people who have visible skin conditions
• Itching or tingling that seems to grow the more the skin is watched

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

Common questions

Is it normal to worry about every new mark on my skin?

Noticing changes is sensible, and a GP can check anything new, changing or worrying. When the checking takes up a lot of time or the worry returns straight after reassurance, it may be more about anxiety than the skin itself. That pattern is common in health anxiety.

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