When is it appropriate to wash your hands?

Question

As a person recovering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (particularly with hygiene rituals), I wonder how often it is OK for me to wash my hands while still being in the "normal" range. Here is my guess for appropriate circumstances, if anyone has suggestions, especially for the last instance:
1) before eating/handling food
2) after using the restroom
3) whenever hands are tangibly dirty (as in, have food/dirt on them, etc)
4) MISC - after working with raw meat/eggs, petting an animal, dusting your house, etc
5) When returning from a public place where you had to touch a lot of communal items (e.g. handrails, library books . .. )

Please give me your opinion, especially on situations similar to 4 and 5.

Answer 1

Once you have to think twice about putting your hand anywhere sensitive on your body then wash it: if it's not clean enough to rub your eye or put in your mouth or touch your privates then wash it. In my opinion this is the only time it becomes necessary. Otherwise use Purell hand sanitizer anytime you receive documents from others or shake hands or enter or exit a public domain.

Answer 2

Just wash your hands every chance you get. Or invest in some anti-bacterial lotion (even though it actually kills good germs on your hands) if you're so crazy about it.

Definitely 4 and 5. Wash your hands before and after working with raw meat and eggs because you never know what you are giving someone or what the meat/eggs is giving you. People never realize how many germs are on keyboards and handrails, so I'm glad you realize this.

But, really, just wash before you eat. That way you won't be washing them every 5 minutes. ;)

Answer 3

I'm a fan of the small hand sanitizers. I keep one in my office, house, and in my purse at all times. Oh, and I have one in my car for after pumping gas. I worked in the food industry forever and saw way too many videos about people not washing their hands after using the restroom. I have no problem telling people that I'm a germaphobe and wash my hands after everything. I also use the excuse that it is for their own good since my husband is a high school teacher and we all know how many germs are floating around over there!

Answer 4

I think your list is pretty good, although I wouldn't wash my hands after touching library books. Germs have a very short half-life, meaning that many of the individual germs in a group of germs deposited by someone on an item die very soon after they are deposited. As the previous person mentioned, there are pretty much germs on everything, but in such small numbers that they are not likely to make you sick. Also, you don't need to worry so much about touching metal objects (coins, railings, etc.), because germs don't live very well on metal.

Best wishes for a life of wellness!

Answer 5

Hi, Rachel

I think it is appropriate to wash your hands in all the cases you have mentioned above. You don't want to over-do it by repeating it without being necessary. An easy example would be - you just washed your hands after visiting the bathroom. You went into you living room and then decided that it's time to go to kitchen and cook. There is obviously no need to wash your hands now. also, you don't want to be overly concious about it. For example, if you just petted your neighbor's cute and healthy-looking cat on your way to work. I don't think it is reasonable to return home for hand-washing before you continue your way. But if you are about to eat your dinner I'd say wash your hands. I wash my hands even after petting healthy animals because I know they like to roll around everywhere.

Since you asked in particular about 4 and 5 - yes, I think it is normal to want to wash your hands after those activities. However, it is important not to stress about being unable to do so if you don't have a chance for it. Just get into habit of not rubbing your eyes or licking your fingers, that should be good enough to keep you healthy. Then wash them according to the list.

Answer 6

They all sound okay, within the normal range to me, unless after petting the dog or cat you have to wash your hands 36 times.
I am kidding but I'm not. Once is enough before or after. If you wash yor hands several times after handling something then you would still be in the obsessive/compulsive mode.

Answer 7

I think in all 5 instances I would wash my hands. This is not about etiquette. It is about cleanliness. I believe all examples you gave are adequate reasons for maintaining good grooming habits as well as remaining healthy. Worrying about what is "normal" has nothing to do with it. If your hands are dirty, wash them. (Try not to focus on that question throughout the day). Also, antibacterial hand gel is good for just a quick scrub. Even though I use it alot, I always try to wash my hands with warm water and soap before eating/handling food.

Answer 8

You are correct on all of the above. You should wash your hands or keep hand sanitizer handy for situations like #5. I keep a travel pack of disenfectant wipes with me to wipe the handle of the shopping carts and to wipe my hands if I have to handle a lot of communal items.

Now that it's cold and flu season you'll want to make sure that you don't touch your face, nose or eyes especially after touching communal items.

Answer 9

I'm the opposite of obsessive compulsive and your list of items is exactly what I do.
It is not too much at all.
I especially like to wash my hands after I've gone somewhere out in public. I just feel dirty or something.

Answer 10

Well what you have stated all are correct and should be practiced.On 4 and 5 very much so due to e-coli. and germs from others that touch things in public. I always when I come home from shopping I was my hands. Your fine, at least you will not catch as many bugs as most.