Washing my hands a lot?

Question

I have dry hands.It's because I wash my hands so much that I can't stop.I wash my hands when I drink water.I wash my hands before I brush my hair.My dermatologist told me to stop doing that and I can't.When I c soap,I can't help but wash them.What should I do to stop doing that?I even wash my hands after touching a doorknob.

Answer 1

It sounds as if you have developed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This is an anxiety-related condition which means you get into ritual type behaviour and start to believe (irrationally) that something bad will happen if you don't keep the behaviour up. For you this is hand washing.

This is a condition that can happen to anyone and as you've found it can be really hard to break the cycle of feeling like you need to wash your hands.

Have a think about it... what will happen to you if you don't wash your hands after touching the doorknob? Maybe you believe you will get unwell, or maybe you have a general worry that something will happen if you don't.

I would suggest you try challenging yourself like this - every time you feel the urge to wash your hand, question why you are doing it, what are the thoughts in your head, and consider whether those thoughts really make any sense.

However, this can be a realy serious condition which ends up ruling your whole life (sounds like it might be already) , and not easy to deal with by yourself. If you find you just cant stop by thinking it through more deeply yourself, you must speak to a doctor about this, you will maybe get a referral to a psychological service. They will help you work through the irrational thoughts you've been having.

I hope you do get some help with this, having to feel anxious all the time is a horrible thing. Honestly, breaking this cycle will help you feel strong and free and not ruled by worry. Best wishes and good luck.

Answer 2

Unless you might have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, no. You're golden, as they say. This is also a great way to keep from having a bad cold or the flu, especially this time of year, so keep washing them! Better safe than sorry. I wash my hands five or six times a day. You should be able to gauge pretty well if you're overdoing it. If your hands are starting to get all dried out, find a moisturizer and slow up a little.

Answer 3

I wash mine a lot because I teach and the little buggers have given me some nasty little germs in the past. It is ok to be cautious, like after touching a doorknob, blech!! However, I am not like this at home. If you are like this all day long no matter where you are, you need to speak to a doctor about it. There is a condition called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). That may be the problem.

Answer 4

In someways this a great thing, you are reducing your risk of picking up disease. At the same time you have traits of someone who has OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), and this can be easily managed. As a nurse, i suffer from dry hands constantly. The more you wash, you are tearing your skin apart and reducing your bodies first defence against germs; your skin.

Try keep moisturisers near your hand basin, make sure you don't put the solution directly on your skin, as it is an undiluted chemical, wet your hands first.

Also look into alcohol hand rubs, you could carry this around with you in your bag, and as much as alcohol is bad for the skin, you are not immersed in water all day.

Good luck with it!

Answer 5

You should really try to control yourself.It is really nice that you wash your hands,but on the other hand,when you overdo it you have the opposite results.It is great to have a nice hygiene,but when it is absolutely necessary.Whenever you go out and come back at home,yes you must wash your hands,after touching a doorknob,yes.Before you eat,yes.All the other times is overreacting!If you can't stop washing your hands every time you want to open a door or turn on the lights,try to use other parts of your body,your elbows for example.

Answer 6

I wash my hands about 10 to 20 times a day. I don't think there is any thing wrong with it. You can cure the dry hands problem by rubbing Vaseline petroleum jelly on your hands before bedtime. Rub it in good. Your hands will be slimy when you go to bed but soft as butter when you wake up. Try it.

Answer 7

Hello. Its called obsessive compulsiveness, and if its bothering you enough you might consider taking medication for it. there are antidepressant medications which will take away the compulsion to do certain things, like continually washing your hands. its very common to be like this, so dont feel alone, and you can overcome it, definitely. hope you will find help soon.
chloe

Answer 8

Sounds like you have a obsessive compulsive disorder. It's not a bad thing as you can see a Doctor or psychologist for help.

Answer 9

have you ever been diagnosed with OCD? maybe you should talk to someone about that so you can control the urge, also maybe try and do more than one thing before washing your hands to cut back on it

Answer 10

I think you've got that disease that makes you think that everything is dirty.

I think you must visit you doc and get to the bottom of it.

Also, if you don't like your dry hands.....apply " NIVEA" creme. I've been using it since birth and it's very soothing and nice......