I can't stop washing my hands and they are now dry

[JustinPCGamer]

Hello everyone. I have been facing this problem for the past two years. I have already spoken to a social worker about it, but that didn't help so I stopped talking to him. For the past two years, I have probably washed my hands about twenty or thirty times a day. Two days ago, when I woke up they were completely dry and both my hands hurt. They are red and have strange scales. Whenever I touch something that isn't my mouse or keyboard, I wash my hands. That includes anything, for some reason I view my mouse and keyboard as sacred clean objects. My hands are all cut up, it even hurts to type this. I also can't even make a full fist. What really pisses me off is my parents get mad when I wash my hands because they don't understand. They just yell at me, tell me to stop. My real worry right now though is my hands are the most dry and red I have ever seen in the past two years. They also really hurt. Last night when I took my shower they were burning real bad. They stopped burning after about three minutes in the shower, they then became numb. Now whenever I wash my hands they burn. I don't really know what to do and I feel like no one understands me. I am pretty frustrated at the moment and annoyed.

[StoppingTime]

:arrow: VT General Hospital. You’ll find more relevant responses here.

As I’m sure you know, this is likely some kind of severe OCD, which cannot always be cured or fixed, even with medication.
The likely reason that your hands are so red is because they are chapped. When they are in contact with water that often, it is, as you’ve found, very bad for the skin. You could try putting hand cream or moisturizer on them, but the only real solution is to find some way to wash them less.

[ackmedsgirl666]

mhm sounds like germaphobia well idk if thats what its actually called
bacially you have a fear of uncleanliness and germs and stuff
theres nothing wrong with it. one of my favourite people in the world(howie mandel from deal or no deal) actually has the same issue as you except he wears gloves and doesnt shake hands with people and when he does he immediately washes his hands.
its just a pet oeeve you have.. same as me my pet peeve is that my house particularly my cat box HAS to be clean all the time and if its not i lose it. dont think anything bad by it your just vry hygienic. instead of washing constant just carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer on you and use that because it keeps your hands not only clean but it doesnt dry them out like soap does.

[MrDaniel2K13]

Ouch! Sounds nasty, use some of cream on your hands

[JustinPCGamer]

I've put prescription medicine on them, lotion, moisturizers, and non prescription creams. None of them help other than making my hand a little softer. Still, that doesn't last long at all.

[wild1]

Here's an idea .... try wearing latex gloves at certain times like when you're not out in public. It might train your mind to realize that your hands can't get dirty wearing them. After a while, the grip the OCD has on you might subside and you can stop with the gloves.

[JustinPCGamer]

Here's an idea .... try wearing latex gloves at certain times like when you're not out in public. It might train your mind to realize that your hands can't get dirty wearing them. After a while, the grip the OCD has on you might subside and you can stop with the gloves.

Nice idea, I'll try that.

[AuthorX303720]

You sir are OCD, it is perfectly normal to go this. You are not WEIRD, trust me I have a HUGE bald spot from my OCD (please all my friend and ppl don't think I am weird I have depression, Anxeity, just to sum it up I have the whle entire package of Dyslexia) . Another thing that you can be is Mysophobia, and I can name one person who is mysophobia, Jerry Seinfeld he washes his hands hundreds of times a day and gets special procedures done (I am not going into specifics). But it okay: I suggest going to see a doctor to see if there can be any distraction that would prevent you from hurting your hand health and could you Please go see a physiologist or a counlsour to see if this is anything more than OCD or Mysophobia. Message me if you have any more problems of any kind. -Sid

[TheBigUnit]

are you a germaphobe? You said you always wash your hands after you touch something but never clarified whether or not u were. Either way it is a mental disorder like OCD

I have a suggestion maybe it would be best if you get you hand really dirty and and refrian yourself from washing your hands, you have an immune system and washing your hands as often as you do is actually hurting it, so just try one day dirtying up ur hands maybe stick your hands in some potting soil and just wipe the excess mud off wih a paper towel and don't wash your hands the whole day

Also for your hands I recommend you go out and but vaseline and apply some on ur hands before bed and when you wake up the next day they'll be moistureized and do this everynight until dry skin goes

[anyone50]

I agree you definatley are suffering from OCD and are driven to wash your hands constantly because of a fear of contamination or germs. I wouldn't use the latex gloves because many brands use a pwder coating inside that would proably just irratate your hands because of the dryness.

This is something you will proably need proffessional help with to break the cycle. There are several different treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and Exposure and response prevention but you need to be evaluated by a licenced therapist so the best course of treatment can be perscribed. Sometimes the family needs to part of the treatment which sounds like might be your case based on what you said about your familys reaction to your OCD. Having a positive support base is important in all cases no matter what your dealing with. Hope this helps

[Skyhawk]

Try to avoid using antibacterial soap. It dries out your hands. Try soaps with lotions and/or other moisturizers to help reduce or prevent drying out your hands.

Latex gloves are worth a try. You can get a pack of 10 at the dollar store.

[MickeyMouse13]

You could try using hand gel, instead of soap and water, one of the reasons hospitals use it is because it is more gentle on the hands, but I wouldn't go for one with alcohol in because it may irritate your skin. Another thing you could use are wet wipes or even moisturised hand wipes ? (But I like the idea with the gloves ;) ) :)

[TheBigUnit]

Hand wipes may be a good idea^^^^^i

[JustAnotherGay]

You can get an antibacterial lotion to wash your hands with instead of soap and/or gels. Either go to your Doctor to get a prescription, or I think you will be able to get them over the counter at a pharmacy. I have hand eczema myself, so this is what I use when washing my hands.

[JustinPCGamer]

Thank you everyone for the replies. My hands got real bad on Monday, I couldn't even hold a pencil. I decided to step up since nothing was improving. Everyday I have been putting ointment on and wearing white cotton gloves. I also, have forced myself to stop washing my hands. As I am typing this, my hands are still a bit red but all of my cuts are gone and they are not bleeding for the first time in five years. In fact, the bottom part of my hand is white, and it never was. I will keep you guys up to date. Thanks again for the advice.

[MickeyMouse13]

Well done !!! And i hope that your hands keep improving :D

[JustinPCGamer]

Well done !!! And i hope that your hands keep improving :D

Thanks. I'll keep this thread up to date on my progress.

[JustAnotherGay]

Thank you everyone for the replies. My hands got real bad on Monday, I couldn't even hold a pencil. I decided to step up since nothing was improving. Everyday I have been putting ointment on and wearing white cotton gloves. I also, have forced myself to stop washing my hands. As I am typing this, my hands are still a bit red but all of my cuts are gone and they are not bleeding for the first time in five years. In fact, the bottom part of my hand is white, and it never was. I will keep you guys up to date. Thanks again for the advice.

That's great news! well done! I earned the nickname "Mickey Mouse" in Primary school because I had to wear white cotton gloves! Just keep putting the ointment on and don't scratch it! You'll be fine in no time! :)

[janisj182]

id do tht too

[dontfiguremeout]

Just a thought I had right now, and I didn't read any of the older posts, so I'm not sure if anyone thought of it too, and if so my bad, but have you thought of using hand sanitizer?! It's the same as washing your hands, but you won't be hydrating yourself, so therefore your hands won't be so dry! And also put lotion on!

[JustinPCGamer]

Just a thought I had right now, and I didn't read any of the older posts, so I'm not sure if anyone thought of it too, and if so my bad, but have you thought of using hand sanitizer?! It's the same as washing your hands, but you won't be hydrating yourself, so therefore your hands won't be so dry! And also put lotion on!

I would, but it burns from my healing cuts when I apply it. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[Zenos]

Hello everyone. I have been facing this problem for the past two years. I have already spoken to a social worker about it, but that didn't help so I stopped talking to him. For the past two years, I have probably washed my hands about twenty or thirty times a day. Two days ago, when I woke up they were completely dry and both my hands hurt. They are red and have strange scales. Whenever I touch something that isn't my mouse or keyboard, I wash my hands. That includes anything, for some reason I view my mouse and keyboard as sacred clean objects. My hands are all cut up, it even hurts to type this. I also can't even make a full fist. What really pisses me off is my parents get mad when I wash my hands because they don't understand. They just yell at me, tell me to stop. My real worry right now though is my hands are the most dry and red I have ever seen in the past two years. They also really hurt. Last night when I took my shower they were burning real bad. They stopped burning after about three minutes in the shower, they then became numb. Now whenever I wash my hands they burn. I don't really know what to do and I feel like no one understands me. I am pretty frustrated at the moment and annoyed.


Could be OCD.
It also sounds like you washed all the natural oils off of your skin.

Just wondering do you have a germphobia?

[JustinPCGamer]

Could be OCD.
It also sounds like you washed all the natural oils off of your skin.

Just wondering do you have a germphobia?

Yes I do, I don't like germs.

[Zenos]

Yes I do, I don't like germs.



Thats what I kinda figured,you might have mysophobia, or the fear of germs.

[JustinPCGamer]

Thats what I kinda figured,you might have mysophobia, or the fear of germs.

I'll look that up. Thanks, have a good day.

[Zenos]

I'll look that up. Thanks, have a good day.


Your welcome.