what is trypophobia skin

Trypophobia is an intense and disproportionate fear or disgust for holes, bumps, or patterns that are clustered together or repetitive. It is not a real skin disease, but rather a fear of clustered holes, bumps, or nodules. Seeing clusters of holes in foods, flowers, and everyday items like sponges can trigger feelings of disgust or fear. Some people who have trypophobic reactions may instead have another mental health disorder such as generalized anxiety, major depressive disorder, and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The triggers of trypophobia symptoms may include objects or photographs that present clustered holes, bumps, or nodules, such as honeycombs, bubble wrap, fruit seeds, strawberries, certain patterns, bumps, patterned animals such as snakes or insects, patterned imagery, diseased skin characterized by clustered holes or bumps, coral, condensation, lotus seed pods, pomegranates, and sea sponges. The cause of trypophobia is not yet clear, but some experts theorize that it may develop as an extension of a biological fear of venomous or otherwise dangerous creatures, or as a response to avoid germs or contagious skin conditions or illnesses.