One of the most popular types of these images includes close-ups of skin appearing covered in deep holes, bumps, or pimple-like clusters.

While these pictures are often shared under the guise of portraying a “rare skin disease” or warning viewers about a strange medical condition, the truth is that most of them are completely fake or heavily altered.

The Power of Digital Manipulation

With advanced photo editing tools and artificial intelligence, it’s easier than ever to create hyper-realistic images that resemble human skin with unnatural textures.

These are often created not for education, but to provoke curiosity, fear, or disgust. They spread rapidly on social media under titles like “you won’t believe this disease,” or “this is what happens when you don’t take care of your skin,” often accompanied by a call to action like “Swipe up” or “Click here.”

The goal? Usually, it’s to gain clicks, traffic, or ad revenue.

Trypophobia: A Real Fear Triggered by Fake Images

Though the disease shown in these images may be fake, the reaction people feel is very real.

This is due to a phenomenon known as trypophobia — an intense aversion or discomfort triggered by clusters of small holes or bumps.

Though not officially classified as a medical disorder, trypophobia can cause symptoms such as:

Goosebumps
Nausea
Sweating
Anxiety
Itching or crawling sensations on the skin
These reactions are often subconscious and instinctive, possibly rooted in an evolutionary response to avoid danger, such as diseased skin or venomous animals.