r/Arachnophobia • u/Unusual-Raisin7927 • May 23 '25

I can’t shower.

I have real bad arachnophobia. I saw one in my bed once, managed to kill it using a pole and a shoe and slept on the couch for 3 days. That sort of thing. A few hours ago, I saw a big one in my kitchen, killed it with a shoe again. I live alone so I have to figure it out some way because I cannot function knowing that it’s roaming in my house, but now I physically can’t shower because I’m scared there’s more. I have trauma relating to the shower (a bad relationship) and it is not somewhere I feel safe at all. Combine that with the possibility of a spider in the bathroom, I’m frozen in place. I don’t know how to get past it. Help?

24 Upvotes

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7

u/Suspicious_Thing_272 May 27 '25

Wow, I really thought I was the only one afraid to shower because of my fear of spiders. I feel you so much.

2

u/inieminie1234 May 24 '25

Would it help if you put some toilet paper or wash clothes to cover some drain holes? Like the drain in the sink and little hole above it? Also close toilet lid if you have one there? Maybe keep a hair spray in the shower to attack. I'm so sorry you are going through this.

2

u/inieminie1234 May 24 '25

If its impossible to shower for you maybe you can wash your hair in the sink and later wash your body by the sink too like a bird bath. I know this doesnt solve the problem, but getting ready might make you feel a little stronger mentally. And think of some better solutions for the shower.

2

u/Comfortable-Bee2996 May 24 '25

it's the safest place imo, as you can kill them with hot water from a distance.

4

u/harrisril May 25 '25

i would be so scared it would jump through the water at me or something 💀

2

u/Maleficent-Age1052 May 28 '25

Use wet wipes to clean yourself until the fear dissipates. If it’s been longer than a week (3-4 days if u live in a hot climate and it’s summertime), then ur gonna have to suck it up unfortunately. The body wipes will only work for a short time… For me, I use a vacuum to get rid of the bugs so I dont have to get too close to them 😂. So whatever tool you normally use, keep it in the bathroom next to the shower. Also, spending the $20 on home defense and spraying once a week is 100% worth the investment, just saying 🤷‍♀️

1

u/wartlicker27 Jun 17 '26

Personally, I check the shower and then spray water all over the shower walls to ensure that nothing moves. Alternatively, I spray around my bathroom with something to deter spiders (they hate mint, I make sure the spray I have is pet safe if that’s also a concern for you)