Hi TaraRenee - what I can say is, you're definately not alone. There's this local dollar store owned by 2 sisters in my area - I was getting some balloons inflated. The one sister said her sister will do it as she went to the back of the store. Her sister offered the explanation her sister has a fear of inflated balloons. I didn't have any reaction at all, except empathy for her. So you're not alone in this fear.

One thing that will make you feel better is - not all fears are rational, like fear of spiders or snakes. A fear can seem completely irrational to the average person, BUT it's very real and valid for you. This doesn't mean you should just accept it and I'm sure therapy would help.

One time I was blowing a ballon up for my daughter and it burst on my open eye - did it ever hurt like crazy. Ever since then I blow a ballon up with glasses on lol. I hope it gets better for you and it's cruel for family members/friends to make fun of this fear.