can excessive handwashing due to OCD discolor your skin?

Question

I saw a report on (I think) NBC that centered on a young woman who washed her hands so often (about 200 plus times a day due to OCD) that from her wrists down, her hands were red and much whiter than her natural complex. I wanted to know if i could find pictures of this for a friend.

Answer 1

Your hands can become dry and flaky from all the water and soap, so they can get white and/or red spots. If you can stand to have something on your hands between washings, try Corn Husker's lotion or Neutrogena Hand Treatment- those items work well on hands that are often in water. Plus, try to gently distract yourself with another activity when you get the urge to wash.

Answer 2

I have never heard of too much handwashing discoloring your skin. I am in the nursing field and wash my hands ALL the time. They are still the same color. And all my co workers hands the same color. They only thing that i see from washing your hands too much is your hands dry out real fast..but lotion can help with that.

Answer 3

if you have a tan/ are out in the sun, then with excessive washing (since it is causing your skin to dry out and the dead skin cells will be shedding) the underlying skin might be a lighter shade since the rest of your body is tan. basically the tanned cells are replaced with new ones. thats the only thing i can think of.

Answer 4

No. They can get dry, chapped and sore.

Answer 5

It can turn it red and raw.

Answer 6

no