That's completely understandable. I mean, it's not rational--but you're not alone. A girl who was my best friend in 5th grade had a fear of balloons, but just when they were in risk of popping like you. I have always had a MASSIVE phobia of cockroaches and get terrible panic attacks when thrust into situations involving them. Even the thought of them makes me shudder. And my whole family and friends taunt me about it too--ask much as I try to mask that I actually have a fear. So I understand the humiliation of it. Try to think of why it would have built up over time. Was there a point in time where you realized you were afraid of them or did it start out small and gradually become worse until you're where you are now? Can you think of what could have triggered your fear? I wish you the best of luck.