The focus is female genital anatomy, rather than sexual intimacy in general.

Possible triggers

Encountering genital imagery, discussing intimate anatomy or anticipating an intimate situation.

Possible name origin

One suggested derivation links the name to Greek Eurotas, used figuratively for the vulva, together with -phobia (fear). The exact formation of this name is uncertain.

Also known as

Kolpophobia

The concern centres on developing a fever or becoming feverish.

Possible triggers

Checking your temperature, feeling unusually warm or hearing that someone has a fever.

Name origin

From Greek pyrexis (feverishness) and phobos (fear).

Also known as

Febriphobia

A fear of fingernails or toenails can affect everyday situations involving cutting nails, nail clipping, broken nail and fingernails. It may lead to self-monitoring, avoiding mirrors, photographs, grooming or close contact, seeking reassurance, or changing social plans because of appearance-related fear.

Possible triggers

Seeing nails close up, preparing to trim them or watching someone handle their nails.

Name origin

From Greek onyx (nail) and -phobia.

A fear of germs or contamination can affect touching everyday surfaces, using public places, eating, travel and contact with other people. It may lead to repeated washing or cleaning, checking, reassurance-seeking or avoiding situations that feel contaminated even when ordinary hygiene would be sufficient.

Possible triggers

Touching a shared surface, using a public bathroom or worrying that an object has become contaminated.

Name origin

From Greek mysos (pollution or contamination) and -phobia.

Also known as

Molysmophobia, Rhypophobia, Rupophobia, Germophobia, Verminophobia, Misophobia

The worry concerns the condition of the hair, including disease or changes in its colour or growth.

Possible triggers

Noticing a change in your hair, reading about a hair disorder or anticipating a hair-related consultation.

Name origin

From Greek thrix (hair), through tricho-, pathos (suffering), and phobos (fear).

Hands themselves are the focus of this descriptive term. It is not simply another name for disliking touch.

Possible triggers

A close view of someone's hands, a hand reaching towards an object nearby, or photographs that draw attention to hands.

Possible name origin

Chiro is a combining form from Greek kheir, meaning hand. Phobia comes from Greek phobos, fear.

The concern can be a headache or migraine attack starting during a pain-free period, or mild headache pain becoming worse.

Possible triggers

Noticing a head sensation, anticipating another headache or planning an activity you associate with previous attacks.

Name origin

Combines cephalalgia (headache) with -phobia (fear). Cephalalgia comes from Greek roots referring to the head and pain.

A fear of health anxiety can affect everyday situations involving symptom checking, imagined illness, doctor visits and medical tests. It may lead to monitoring symptoms, checking the body, searching for reassurance, repeatedly seeking medical certainty, or avoiding reminders of illness.

Possible triggers

Noticing yourself repeatedly worrying about health or fearing that a health concern will become all-consuming.

Name origin

From Greek hypochondrium (area below the ribs) historically linked to melancholy.

A fear of heart problems can affect everyday situations involving heart racing, heart attack, chest pain and blood pressure. It may lead to monitoring symptoms, checking the body, searching for reassurance, repeatedly seeking medical certainty, or avoiding reminders of illness.

Possible triggers

Noticing your heartbeat, hearing about a heart condition or waiting for a heart-related appointment.

Name origin

From Greek kardia (heart) and -phobia.

A fear of hospitals can affect everyday situations involving operating theatre, being admitted, hospital and A&E. It may lead to postponing appointments or treatment, worrying for days beforehand, seeking repeated reassurance, or avoiding healthcare that would otherwise be straightforward.

Possible triggers

Approaching a hospital entrance, visiting someone on a ward or anticipating a hospital appointment.

Name origin

From Greek nosokomeion (hospital) and -phobia.