One of the many unique types is the fear of holes, small bumps, and smaller patterns. Also, it is known as trypophobia, in which a person may suffer from severe fear when they see or imagine small holes. For instance, signs may start to appear once they see small seeds or an image of pores. However, some experts are still in talks if it is a real health condition or not. Although some people are experiencing it, it is still not included in the list of phobias.
1. How unique is this fear?
New cases of fear of holes show that some people who have it also experience attacks after seeing bubbles on their coffee. Also, there are some who have intense fear after seeing small round objects. The look of many illnesses like measles and chickenpox is scary for many.
2. Understanding the Fear of Holes
Trypophobia is not only about fearing holes, but also it may include bumps and smaller patterns. After seeing these objects, then a person with them will start to experience signs of fear. Therefore, symptoms like heavy sweating, shaking, and other severe attacks will show up quickly. It is not just fear, but a person will experience overpowering emotion. Also, looking at photos is enough to start feeling the signs and attacks.
Another example of how it feels is with a two-year-old girl who feels uncomfortable after seeing a surface filled with dots. Afterward, the girl is asked to draw her fear, and she starts to make patterns of small round dots.
3. Possible Triggers
According to some studies, some of the things that can start the fear are:
- Small bubbles
- Bubble wraps
- Small coral with holes
- Seeds
- Small bumps on the skin
- Eyes of insects
- Sea sponges
- Honeycombs
- Dots on strawberry skin
Moreover, small holes and patterns that are human-made or from animal skin can also cause a bad reaction to people with a phobia of holes.
4. Possible Signs
Similar to other types of fear, the signs are the same with this condition. Hence, right after seeing anything with small holes, dots, or patterns, a person will start to feel symptoms or attacks. For instance, a person may feel the following signs:
- Serious fear
- Shaking
- Itching
- Goosebumps
- Heavy sweating
- Faster heartbeat
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Panic
Furthermore, people with this fear say that they feel more disgusting than fear after seeing objects with holes. Additionally, a person may show a behavior change aside from being scared. Therefore, it is prevalent for them to avoid all things that can cause attacks. For example, some may avoid eating foods with seeds or holes on the skin like strawberries. They may also stop going to places where they likely see small dots or patterns like a room with dotted wallpaper.
5. Possible Causes
Studies on a phobia of holes are very few, but intelligent guesses happen to some people.
Evolutionary
One of the most popular is linked to diseases, skin issues, and other health conditions, such as bumps or small holes on the skin. Hence, people find it scary to see bumps on their skin. Also, they found out that people experience disgusting feelings after seeing it.
Danger
Another guess is it comes from animals with round skin patterns. Therefore, people think that these animals are very dangerous. For example, a honeycomb may become scary for a person who does not like bees. As a result, some with a phobia of holes think they are in great danger around honeycombs.
Skin Issues
According to experts, it is common to feel uncomfortable having small bumps on the skin. Hence, some are afraid because it may come from a disease that can lead to a serious health condition.
Visual Response
Another study shows that discomfort may also come from visual patterns. Hence, it is similar to being afraid of dangerous animals with sin patterns.
Other Health Issues
Moreover, studies found out that most people with a fear of holes have other types of fear. Therefore, the symptoms that they feel are because of other reasons than seeing holes or round patterns.
