While it may be rare, some anxious children are obsessed with not getting dirty.
Getting dirty is part of a daily routine for some children. Sloshing through mud puddles, making dirt pies, and playing with other messy situations may be a part of their daily routine. They love it, but not all children do. Because messes are seen as a bad thing, anxious children tend not to want to get dirty. That also means not participating in sports or activities that involve some disorder. This behavior is not normal and should be addressed. Staying away from messes is another way they can try to control their situations.
As we have discussed in other symptoms, the inability to control the messy world around them can result in disaster. Children who try to protect themselves from germs, dirt, and other fears may be missing out on some of the fun parts of childhood. When encouraged into these kinds of activities, children will have absolute meltdowns to get out of participating. They may request that they change their clothes after being outside or wash their hands excessively. Take note if your child uses hand sanitizer often, spends too much time at the sink washing their hands, or has peeling skin on their hands from overexposure to water. All of these signs can be the indignation of an anxiety condition that may need more attention.