Ablutophobia (Fear of Washing): What is it? Causes and How to Overcome It

. As with other phobias, if left untreated, the fear of washing can worsen and cause somatic symptoms, including profuse sweating, rapid heartbeat, nausea, and a feeling of lack of oxygen.

In the long term, ablutophobia causes serious consequences related to lack of personal hygiene (gastrointestinal disorders, infections, skin diseases, etc.), as well as having negative repercussions in social, school and working life.

The fear of washing can be faced and overcome with a course of psychotherapy, in combination or not with drugs, subject to medical prescription.

and, clinically, it falls into the category of specific phobias, that is, excessive or unreasonable fears of a certain object or situation.

The condition can manifest itself in many ways: from the fear of taking a shower to the phobia of being exposed to any form of hygiene measures (eg contact with water, hand washing, etc.).