As far as the rarest and least documented phobias are concerned, Omphalophobia – the fear of belly buttons, perhaps tops the list. The word is derived from Greek Omphalo ('navel') and phobos ('deep dread or fear').

People suffering from Omphalophobia are terrified of belly buttons; their own, or in some cases, those of the others. They do not like touching their navel (or even other people touching it). Sometimes the mere sight of the belly button is enough to make them feel disgusted or terrified.

The fear of belly buttons phobia affects men and women equally. Singer Jenny Frost is one of the famous celebrities with this phobia. She always warns people to “never touch her belly button”. She claims that her fear of belly buttons is persistent and “no joking matter”. Another famous individual with this phobia is Khloe Kardashian who reports feeling “disgusted just touching her belly because of the presence of belly button”.

As with other specific phobias, Omphalophobia begins in one’s childhood, particularly stemming from a negative or traumatic experience associated with this body part.

Omphalophobia is a specific phobia which gives rise to a variety of physical and mental symptoms particularly when the phobic (or someone else) accidentally touches their belly button, or even by watching someone else touch their own belly. Some symptoms include trembling, shaking, crying, curling up in a ball, running away and hiding, suicidal thoughts, nausea and vomiting.

More Info: www.fearof.net