For some people, feet are objects of fantasy and fetishism, to be pampered with a foot massage and special care. For others, they represent their worst nightmares. For the latter, the mere sight of a toe (their own or someone else’s) provokes a panic attack: this is foot phobia. In most cases, this leads to avoidance situations. In other words, the person will develop all kinds of stratagems to avoid confrontation.

According to science, this psychological disorder affects women more than men. Foot phobia generally appears in adolescence or early adulthood, and worsens with age. Here’s our advice on how to cure foot phobia.

Foot phobia: what is it?

Foot phobia or podophobia is the excessive and irrational fear of feet. More precisely, the sufferer feels disgust and repulsion at the sight of a foot. Even if they are clean, well-groomed and aesthetically pleasing. This fear can be caused by one’s own feet or those of another. In all cases, the symptoms are the same:

An accelerated heart rate;
Heavy sweating;
Dizziness, even fainting;
Anxiety, which can cause muscle tension or pain, indigestion, diarrhea or stomach upset;
Panic attacks, often accompanied by nausea, chest pain and a loss of reality and control.

CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF FEAR OF FEET
It would appear that foot phobia stems from psychological factors. For example, it may be caused by reading an article about foot disease. As the article progresses, the individual develops a panic fear of feet. On the other hand, podophobia can also be caused by a foot disease that has deformed the feet, altering the skin and their smell. A less likely theory is that the disorder may be due to physical abuse (particularly of the feet) when the subject was a child.

Foot phobia often leads sufferers to neglect their feet and not wash them for fear of touching them. Moreover, they always wear socks and closed shoes. This can lead to fungal or yeast infections. Corns and calluses can also develop over time.

What’s more, this fear really damages the individual’s social relationships. There are two reasons for this. On the one hand, people close to you often find it hard to understand your reaction. Secondly, the person may isolate him/herself to avoid all situations that might confront him/her with the object of his/her repulsion. Sleepovers, sunbathing on the beach or a foot massage are simply inconceivable.

HOW DOES A PERSON SUFFERING FROM FEAR OF FEET REACT?
Generally speaking, people suffering from foot phobia have these reactions in common:

Panic when their feet are touched;
A repulsion at the sight of people wearing open-toed shoes. For them, summer is a nightmare season, with sandals, flip-flops, bare feet and so on.
Disgust at the sight of someone coupling their toenails. At the same time, they can’t bear to see long, grimy toenails;
Treatments for foot phobia
Following a series of questions during a clinical examination, treatment can begin. This may involve medication or psychological treatment. But there are also other, less invasive treatments for foot phobia, such as a pedicure or foot massage. Indeed, taking care of your feet, seeing them regularly and knowing that they can be a source of well-being can help you rationalize your fear.

Medicinal treatments

Medications such as antidepressants and anxiolytics are effective in treating the symptoms of foot phobia. However, they must be accompanied by psychological treatments if the phobia is to be completely eliminated. The most commonly used antidepressants and anxiolytics are :

Specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs);
Tricyclic antidepressants;
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs;
Beta-blockers;
Benzodiazepines.

Psychological treatments

There are a number of psychological treatments available to get rid of foot phobia once and for all. The best-known are :

COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY
CBT works on two fronts. On the one hand, cognitive therapy aims to change the person’s way of thinking about the object of their fear, while helping them to understand the basic beliefs that led them to be afraid in the first place. Behavioral therapy, on the other hand, gradually exposes the individual to the situation he or she fears. It also shows them the path they need to follow to face up to their fear and manage the anxiety attacks it provokes. By confronting the object of their fear in a therapeutic environment, individuals are able to control their emotions and take a fresh look at their fears and reactions.

HYPNOTHERAPY
Hypnotherapy or hypnosis helps foot phobia sufferers to discover the causes of their fear. By going deep into his unconscious, he exposes himself to the stimulus he fears in a safe environment. It’s up to them to find the solutions to overcome their foot phobia.

Do you have any other tips for overcoming foot phobia? We look forward to hearing from you.