Dirty hands...

I don't usually dwell on whether people have actually washed their hands before shaking mine, but I have to admit, there’s nothing quite as revolting as coming face-to-face with someone who has sweaty palms...😬
And don't even get me started on those people who shake hands like they're touching a lifeless corpse; it’s genuinely grating.
At the end of the day, I’m not exactly running for the hand sanitizer the second I touch a stranger; if I happen to shake hands with someone who clearly hasn't seen soap in a while—say, a construction worker out in the sun—I’ll just wash my hands afterward, for heaven's sake.

I wash my hands before and after using the restroom, and as soon as I get home from running errands—even if it was just a quick trip to the corner grocery store
. I can't stand those public door handles you have to touch with your hand; I usually just use my elbow to push them open.
Since my job involves handling cash all day, that’s another big reason why I’m constantly washing up.

Honestly, it feels like I'm doing it more often and getting more intense about it lately. Wet hands, soap, scrub, rinse... then I do the whole thing over again. Then I grab a paper towel or a wipe, use that same wipe to open the door, step outside, and wonder where I can find a trash can to toss it in.

And yeah, I always toss the first paper towel sticking out of the dispenser straight into the bin because I have no idea who touched it before me. Same goes for the toilet paper rolls.

Am I overdoing it?😕

just a little 😉

Melissa Clark46 said:I wash my hands before and after using the restroom, and the second I get back home from just popping over to the grocery store across the street, I'm washing them again.
I absolutely loathe public door handles—the ones you have to grab with your hand. I usually try to use my elbow instead.
Since my job involves handling cash all day, that’s another huge reason why I’m constantly scrubbing up.

Hmm, actually, it feels like I'm doing this more often and more intensely lately. Wet hands, soap, scrub, rinse... then I do the whole damn process all over again. Then I'll grab a paper towel or a wipe, use that same wipe to open the door, walk outside, and then stare at it wondering where the hell I can find a trash can to toss it in.

And obviously, if there's a single scrap of paper sticking out of the dispenser, I'm tossing it straight in the bin because God knows who touched it before me. Same goes for the toilet paper rolls.

Am I overdoing it?😕

I do the exact same thing, but I'm constantly surrounded by people from all over the world. I mean, I don't go around wiping down keypads or anything, but I am incredibly careful about what I touch. If I need a restroom while I'm out, I'll just head to a McDonald's or something similar. I'm extremely cautious, but honestly, I feel like everyone is like this. It's the same in coffee shops... and I'm washing my hands constantly.

Melissa Clark46 said:I wash my hands both before and after using the restroom—and even right when I get back home if I’ve only popped over to the convenience store across the street.
I absolutely loathe those public doors you have to grab with your hand; I usually try to use my elbow instead.
Since my job involves handling cash all day, that’s another big reason why I’m constantly washing up.

Hmm, looking back, it feels like I’m doing this more often and much more intensely lately... soak, soap, scrub, rinse, then just do the whole thing all over again. Then I’ll grab a paper towel or a wipe, use that same wipe to open the door, walk outside, and then figure out where to toss it in a trash can.

And yeah, I always toss that first paper towel sticking out of the dispenser immediately because I have no clue who was using it before me—same goes for the toilet paper.

Am I overdoing it?😕

Honestly, I’ve noticed people doing that exact same thing plenty of times.
I was actually reading in the news today that you’re supposed to scrub your hands for at least 10 seconds.
👍

Melissa Clark46 said:I wash my hands before and after using the restroom, and I also wash them immediately upon returning home, even if I’ve only popped over to the convenience store across the street.
I absolutely loathe those public door handles you have to grab with your hand; I usually try to nudge them open with my elbow instead.
Since my job involves handling cash all day, that’s another big reason why I’m constantly washing up.

Hmm, it feels like this habit is becoming more frequent and more intense lately. I wet my hands, apply soap, scrub, rinse... then I do the whole thing all over again. Then I dry off with a paper towel or a wipe, and I find myself standing there wondering where on earth to toss it once I step outside.

Naturally, I won't touch that first sheet of paper sticking out of the dispenser because God knows who was using it before me—the same goes for the toilet paper.

Am I overdoing it?😕

Well, typically, those kinds of patterns are how OCD begins.😕

I don't really try to avoid door handles, but about half the time I just instinctively use my elbow or my sleeve to turn them. If it’s a door without a lock—just standard hinges—I’ll just shoulder it open. It’s automatic. Generally, I’d much rather touch metal than plastic. I wash my hands when I get home, after using the bathroom, or after touching something dusty (like hauling firewood inside). But I’m not obsessively scrubbing my hands after every little thing. On the subway, I know I’m stuck holding the handrail, and honestly, it doesn't bother me. If someone next to me is actually gross and stinks, then I'll move away. No point in making a scene and freaking out the whole train over it.
As for handshakes—I actually appreciate it when someone has clean hands. But I wouldn't mind shaking hands with, say, an auto mechanic. It's way more disgusting to shake hands with someone who has spotless hands but reeks of sweat.

gentlepanther10 said:Oh, please—that doesn't bother me at all. I don't even give it a second thought...

As if that's the only issue! I actually know a guy who obsessively washes his hands both before and after using the restroom.

Look, it’s not always easy to get to a sink right before or after using the bathroom. When I can, obviously, I wash my hands thoroughly both ways. But when I'm stuck without access? I just use alcohol-based wipes—like Kleenex wipes.

Dora Keay said:They really ought to see a doctor as soon as possible (specifically a psychiatrist) who can evaluate their symptoms and prescribe the right treatment. Phobias are actually quite treatable through psychotherapy—think cognitive-behavioral therapy paired with relaxation techniques—though sometimes medication like anxiolytics might be necessary.

But what exactly does "cognitive-behavioral therapy" entail? And which specific relaxation techniques or medications are we even talking about here?

Melissa Clark46 said:I wash my hands both before and after using the restroom—and I even scrub up immediately when I get back home, even if I just stepped out to the corner store
I absolutely loathe those public door handles you have to touch with your bare hands; I usually try to use my elbow instead.
Since my job involves handling cash all day, that’s another big reason why I’m constantly washing my hands.

Hmm, it feels like I'm doing this more often lately—and with much more intensity. I wet them, soap them up, scrub, rinse... then I do the whole damn thing over again. Then I'll grab a paper towel or a wipe, use that exact same wipe to open the door, walk outside, and then stare at it wondering where on earth I can find a trash can to toss it in.

And of course, I won't touch that first sheet of paper sticking out of the dispenser because God knows who was using it right before me—same goes for the toilet paper.

Am I overdoing it?😕

I do the exact same thing.

Let me clarify my situation a bit. I previously shared some details under the "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" thread, but over here in the "Health" section, I just wanted to touch on a few things regarding hand sanitizers—specifically stuff like Purell or Lysol.
So, for several years now, I’ve been struggling with excessive and prolonged handwashing. To give you an idea of how intense this gets: I wake up, go to the bathroom, and wash my hands. I make my bed, then wash my hands. I get dressed, then wash my hands. After brushing my hair, shaving, and getting fully ready, I end up washing my hands with two different soaps because I can't shake this feeling that my shoes are incredibly filthy.
The evening routine is just as rigid. I take off my shirt—and since I rarely wear the same one twice, I wash my hands immediately after. Then I take off my shoes and pants, followed by another round of washing with two soaps 😢. If I touch anything else around the house before heading to bed, I’m back at the sink again.
Each session lasts at least a full minute, even though I know the standard recommendation is 30 to 45 seconds (or up to three minutes if you're using two soaps). As much as this is a psychological struggle, I honestly think it’s becoming an epidemiological issue too. Aside from this compulsion, I’m a functioning person—I manage to keep this under wraps quite well, I have a solid career, and I'm surrounded by good people—but this is genuinely disrupting my daily life. Any advice or suggestions? Please, keep it realistic; I'd appreciate it.

If you ask me, you’re essentially spinning your wheels by trying to handle this alone. Obsessive-compulsive disorder isn't just some minor quirk; it's a legitimate psychological hurdle that really demands professional intervention—specifically from a psychiatrist. In my view, what you're dealing with is quite serious, far from being harmless, and if left unchecked, things could easily spiral for the worse. I truly hope you find the right path to resolve this. Best of luck to you.

Yeah, honestly, I’m the same way—every single time I touch my shoes, I head straight to the sink to scrub my hands with soap and then follow it up by disinfecting them with some antiseptic spray.
By the way, if you use a hand sanitizer specifically designed to be applied after washing, it kind of gives you this extra layer of bacterial protection that lasts for maybe six hours? I guess it might help you feel a little less grossed out. You can just grab one at a CVS or a Walgreens; just look for the stuff meant for post-wash use.

granitetiger25 said:Well, yeah—I find myself scrubbing my hands with soap and then hitting them with some antiseptic after touching shoes, too.
By the way, if you use an antiseptic rinse after washing, it supposedly provides a layer of bacterial protection for about six hours. Give it a shot; maybe you won’t feel quite so filthy afterward. You can pick some up at any local CVS or Walgreens. Just look for the hand sanitizer meant for post-wash use.

I've used some Lysol products for a while now, and I know they work as decent disinfectants. But the whole "six-hour protection" thing? Honestly, I had no idea.

Saying this stuff lasts for six hours is a total joke... though it makes for a decent placebo 😬 which I totally just messed up myself..

I mean, maybe it works for six hours if you slather it on and then just leave it completely alone..

Christian Castillo60 is definitely our resident expert here.

Look, I could try giving you advice to stop washing your hands so much, but honestly, that’s useless advice (kind of like telling someone with depression, "hey, just don't be sad"). You already know that yourself (and the fact that you even realize it is actually a really good sign that there's still hope for you 😁 ))

Honestly, what’s really getting under my skin here isn't just some one-off thing, but the fact that it feels like there are actually tons of people out there dealing with these kinds of issues—whether it's obsessive cleaning, total clutter struggles, or just straight-up germaphobia and anxiety about infections.

And don't even get me started on the commercials! It’s just endless, non-stop ads for cleaning products everywhere you look... telling us that bacteria are lurking in every single corner of our lives, practically staring us in the face from our phone screens and...🙄