Tips for Living with a Germaphobe

Mysophobia, commonly referred to as germaphobia, is the fear of germs. Most people have heard of this fear and some have made fun of it, but it's a serious issue. Germaphobes are afraid of the illnesses and uncleanliness associated with germs. This can lead to a stunted social life and can interfere with work.

In severe cases, a germaphobic person will isolate himself from the world, sometimes going as far as locking himself in a room for weeks or months in order to avoid contact with other people and their germs. In most cases, however, the germaphobe is simply viewed as overly cautious.

Common traits for germaphobia include constant hand washing, unwillingness to eat or drink anything prepared or touched by another person, and the inability to touch common objects such as doorknobs, handrails, and remote controls.

Social situations are the most difficult. Germaphobes don't like to touch other people or shake hands. They don't know where those hands have been-if they've been coughed or sneezed on or if they were washed after the person went to the bathroom. Likewise, people with germaphobia will often turn down food that is offered to them if they don't know the hygiene habits of the food preparer. Because of this, germaphobia behavior is sometimes mistaken for rudeness.

However, living with a germaphobe doesn't have to be difficult once you understand the behavior. Here are some basic tips to make it easier:

Keep household decorations to a minimum

Knick knacks and similar decorations have crevices that collect dust, and anything that can't be easily wiped off can be an issue unless you have a lot of time to spend cleaning. Germaphobes are disturbed by the skin cells and pet dander that comprise dust. Even feather dusters may be a problem because they hold the dust they collect. Keep furniture free of clutter so it'll be easy to clean, then dust with either a rag that can be washed or a Swiffer than can be thrown away.

Use disinfectant