The concern centres on illness passed down through a family.

Possible triggers

Hearing about a relative's diagnosis, discussing family medical history or anticipating a hereditary-risk assessment.

Possible name origin

The name may relate to Greek words for what is ancestral or inherited, together with -phobia (fear). The precise derivation of this spelling is uncertain.

Also known as

Patriophobia

A fear of kidney disease or abnormal urine tests can affect everyday situations involving urine test, protein in urine, kidney disease and kidney failure. It may lead to monitoring symptoms, checking the body, searching for reassurance, repeatedly seeking medical certainty, or avoiding reminders of illness.

Possible triggers

Providing a urine sample, awaiting kidney-related test results or discussing an abnormal urine result.

Name origin

From albuminuria (protein in urine) and -phobia.

A fear of knees can affect everyday situations involving bending knees, exposed knees, kneeling and knees. 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 exposed knees, touching your knee or encountering a close-up image of a knee.

Name origin

From Latin genu (knee) and -phobia.

The concern is becoming infested with lice, rather than insects in general.

Possible triggers

Hearing about a lice outbreak, checking hair for lice or reading information about infestation.

Name origin

From Latin pediculus (louse) and Greek phobos (fear).

Also known as

Phthiriophobia

A fear of loose hair can affect grooming, showers, cleaning, clothing and shared spaces where strands of hair may be seen. It may lead to repeated checking, avoiding touching loose hair, asking other people to clean it away or changing routines to prevent encountering it.

Possible triggers

Finding loose hair in a brush, noticing hair on clothing or clearing hair from a drain.

Name origin

From Greek thrix (hair) and -phobia.

A fear of injections can make vaccinations, blood tests, dental treatment or other healthcare appointments feel difficult to approach. It may involve postponing care, intense anticipatory anxiety, feeling faint, or distress about pain, injury or loss of control.

Possible triggers

Examples include waiting for a blood test, seeing a needle being prepared or anticipating an injection at a medical appointment.

Name origin

From Greek trypanon (borer or drill) and -phobia.

A fear of medication can make starting or following a treatment plan feel difficult. 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

Discussing a new treatment plan or anticipating a change to an established care routine.

Name origin

From Greek pharmakon (drug) and -phobia.

A fear of menstruation can affect everyday situations involving monthly bleeding, menstrual cycle, period pain and period. It may lead to monitoring sensations or bodily changes, avoiding particular situations, seeking reassurance, or organising routines around preventing the feared outcome.

Possible triggers

Anticipating a period, noticing menstrual bleeding or discussing menstruation.

Name origin

From Greek mēn (month) and -phobia.

The concern centres on bites or infestation by mites and tiny parasitic insects.

Possible triggers

Reading about mites, seeing magnified images of them or worrying that a small parasite is on your skin.

Name origin

From Greek akari (mite) and phobos (fear).

A fear of movement can affect everyday situations involving physical motion, sudden movement, exercise and movement. It may lead to restricting movement, avoiding activities or positions, monitoring bodily sensations, or changing routines to prevent the feared motion or lack of motion.

Possible triggers

Beginning a physical movement, changing position or anticipating an activity that involves moving your body.

Name origin

From Greek kinesis (movement) and -phobia.

Also known as

Kinetophobia