'World's dirtiest man' dies after bathing once in 60 years: Here's why he did not shower for so long

An Iranian resident, who was called the "world's dirtiest man," died at the age of 94 last week. Iran's IRNA news agency reported that "Amou Haji" a nickname for an elderly person, was from the village Dejgah in the southern region of Fars.

Haji hadn't bathed with water or soap in over 60 years and had been covered in soot and pus while living in a brick shack, reported local media.

He had experienced "emotional setbacks in his youth" which perhaps led him to refuse to take a wash for more than half a century, according to The Guardian. Only a few months ago, the locals convinced him to take his first bath.

Attempts to bathe him or offer him clean water to drink made him sad, the news agency said. Amou Haji feared that washing would make him ill.

The overwhelming fear of bathing, cleaning or washing is called ablutophobia, which comes under a specific category of phobias. This fear is an anxiety disorder which hasn't been completely understood but may have been caused due to a negative experience or a traumatic incident involving bathing, washing or cleaning in the past.

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of British Columbia, a study found that this phobia affects children more than adults between the ages of 7-11.

SYMPTOMS OF ABLUTOPHOBIA

The symptoms of ablutophobia are similar to other phobias and may occur when a person faces an incident of bathing or cleaning.

Dr Fabian Almeida, Psychiatrist and Counsellor, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan told The HealthSite.com that ablutophobia is more likely to be present in women and children and is a situation-specific phobia.

- A person can have a panic attack which means increased sweating, palpitations and difficulty in breathing, dizziness, shaking or trembling, dry mouth and nausea.
- Intense fear and anxiety can escalate when someone is facing an incident of bathing or cleaning.
- Distress associated with the repetitive and uncontrollable nature of fearful thoughts.
- Mounting feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness.
- There is associated irritability due to feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness.

TREATMENT

Since bathing is a vital part of hygiene, there are various ways in which a person can be treated for this phobia. Lack of washing can have consequences.

According to Medical News Today, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that washing the body, hair and face regularly is an excellent way to prevent the spread of diseases and conditions, including chronic diarrhoea and lice.

This phobia can affect a person's daily functioning too, as it can cause them trouble in their professional lives, leading to isolation and depression.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic approach to treating psychological disorders. This helps a person to change the way they look at the world around them by monitoring their feelings and thought processes. Anti-anxiety drugs can be issued by a medical professional upon diagnosis.