What causes trypophobia skin?

Experts don’t know why some people develop trypophobia. One theory is that the brain associates clusters of holes with danger. For example, you may associate a pattern of small holes with the skin of a venomous snake or the eyes of a tarantula. Or the holes may remind you of skin diseases or skin rashes.

What is trypophobia skin?

So-called “trypophobia skin” is not a real skin disease, but trypophobia may be a common reaction to skin diseases that can present with clusters of holes, bumps, or nodules. Skin that has holes, bumps, or nodules and trypophobic patterns is also commonly seen on characters in movies, television shows, and video games.

How do you get rid of trypophobia?

To the extent that trypophobia is a kind of anxiety, drugs used to treat anxiety may offer help. But there is no cure, and little research has been done to look for one. Exposure therapy — in which patients are gradually exposed to unpleasant images or situations — may be helpful.

What does Thalassophobia mean?

Thalassophobia is a type of specific phobia that involves a persistent and intense fear of deep bodies of water such as the ocean or sea.

Why do holes make me itch?

It is usually small holes in organic objects, such as lotus seed heads or bubbles in batter, that give trypophobics the extreme willies, triggering reactions like itchy skin, nausea and a general feeling of discomfort. (A picture of a candy bar with a pattern of small air bubbles did me in. Goodbye, dear chocolate.

Is trypophobia caused by trauma?

Instead, they can result from any number or combination of complex factors, including genetics, prior trauma, learned responses early in life, and long-term anxiety or depression. For instance, a person may subconsciously associate a bumpy object with rashes or blisters, such as those seen in smallpox.

Is there a disease that causes holes in your skin?

Pitted keratolysis is a skin disorder that’s caused by bacteria. It creates crater-like pits or small holes on the top layer of your skin and usually affects the soles of your feet, but can also develop on the palms of your hands.

Is trypophobia a mental illness?

Trypophobia is not classified as a mental disorder. However, it can meet the criteria for a phobia if the sight of clustered patterns causes sudden fear and anxiety to the degree that it causes marked distress or impairment. There is debate on whether trypophobia meets the clinical definition of a specific phobia.