Any obsessive handwashers out there?

[HeLiXe]

What lotion do you use? I wash my hands frequently and it has skyrocketed since I purchased a dog. The skin on my hands is like paper now and is cracking a little and bleeding. I put some baby oil on them today for relief, but I just wonder if there is a strong and better lotion out there.

 

[jhae2.718]

This is what we call taking things to the extreme...

 

[micromass]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive–compulsive_disorder

There are very good treatments against it!

 

[WannabeNewton]

Soap.

 

[jhae2.718]

Hydrochloric acid works wonders for cleaning off the skin...

 

[Monique]

Glycerona is a good hand cream, what do you use for washing your hands? It should be mild.

 

[HeLiXe]

This is what we call taking things to the extreme...

What.ev.errr.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive–compulsive_disorder

There are very good treatments against it!

I read this...but I do not think it applies to me...I was asking people who it does apply to for advice or anyone who knows of a good hand cream/lotion.

Soap.

you use soap as a lotion? omg

Hydrochloric acid works wonders for cleaning off the skin...

I see...I have some in my stomach I can lend you

Glycerona is a good hand cream, what do you use for washing your hands? It should be mild.

Thanks Monique ... I will see if I can get some. I usually use what is around the house like dishwashing liquid, Ivory soap, or liquid handsoap. Last night I bought a mild liquid handsoap with aloe vera. The skin on my hands tends to dry and crack easily in the winter for whatever reason. I haven't had to wash dishes in a while, but when I used to be the only one washing them I would really suffer in the winter--even with the most gentle dishwashing liquid. I tried using Aquaphor but I do not like the petroleum-jelly like feel on my hands.

 

[PhizKid]

I used to wash and scrub my hands until the skin started rubbing off and blood started seeping out but I don't do that anymore

 

[FlexGunship]

I wash my hands almost every time I go to the bathroom... as an experienced hand washer, I have no idea what to recommend. My hands crack and bleed in the winter also.

 

[Monique]

Don't use dishwashing detergent for washing hands, it's a sure way to wash away the natural defenses of the skin. My hands also crack in the winter, wearing gloves outside helps a lot in reducing that.

 

[dlgoff]

I wash my hands almost every time I go to the bathroom... as an experienced hand washer, I have no idea what to recommend. My hands crack and bleed in the winter also.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/graphics/2012/09/30/health-q-a-art-gftjedgu-10930-neosporin.jpg

 

[Monique]

Don't use antibiotics (neosporin) when you don't need them, unless you want to contribute to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

 

[dlgoff]

Don't use antibiotics (neosporin) when you don't need them, unless you want to contribute to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Trust me. Cracked and bleeding fingers is exactly why you need these. This is what we're talking about.

 

[Monique]

Why do you post that picture and not a picture of an MRSA-infected wound?

 

[EricVT]

I work in a hospital and see and touch patients several times a day. I use antibacterial gel every time I enter and leave a room plus lots of times when I'm just walking down the hallway. It probably amounts to a few dozen uses per day, plus of course I wash my hands anytime I use the restroom.

I've found this has affected my hand hygiene at home as well. I keep lots of little antibacterial gel bottles around and use them frequently and wash my hands every so often "just because".

 

[Monique]

Plain Soap As Effective As Antibacterial But Without The Risk

 

[Drakkith]

Plain Soap As Effective As Antibacterial But Without The Risk

Excellent. Good to know my non-use of antibacterial soap is based on valid knowledge.

 

[jtbell]

I wash my hands frequently and it has skyrocketed since I purchased a dog.

This awakens memories of a classic Peanuts cartoon strip. I haven't found the strip itself online yet, but I can reconstruct the dialog from memory, at least approximately:

CHARLIE BROWN: [patting Snoopy] I have to go to dinner now, Snoopy.
SALLY: And now you have to wash your hands again because you touched the dog.
CHARLIE BROWN: [walking off] Oh, good grief.
SNOOPY: [ears perking up] "Touched the dog?" [glaring at Sally] "Touched the dog?"
SALLY: [backing away] Stay away from me, my hands are clean!
SNOOPY: [chasing Sally] Pat my head and get a handful of germs! Beware the walking disease carrier! I'm loaded with bubonic plague!
SALLY: [standing on a dresser] HELP!
SNOOPY: [walking off] "Touched the dog." Good grief.

 

[rppc]

Hi!

Yes, I also suffer from this particular symptom of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, amongst a few others.

My hands always get extremely dry during the Winter, with painful cuts that will bleed if I do nothing about them.

I personally recommend this cream:

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/4333/niveahandsosintensiveba.jpg

I don't know if you can find it where you live, but if you do, trust me that this is the best thing you can get.

Not only is it the only cream I've ever tried that actually works, but it has also done true wonders for me, healing the cuts and hydrating the skin in my hands.

 

[lisab]

Because I work with chemicals, I wash my hands a lot. I wear disposable gloves of course but it's the powder residue from the glove I'm constantly washing off.

I use St. Ives hand lotion - by far the best of ones I've tried. Soaks in fast and it's not greasy. Pretty cheap, too.

 

[edward]

Trust me. Cracked and bleeding fingers is exactly why you need these. This is what we're talking about.

There is a liquid product called New Skin. It has been around a long time. It helps to protect those nasty cuts and cracks until they heal.

http://newskinproducts.com/products/liquid_bandage.aspx

 

[lisab]

There is a liquid product called New Skin. It has been around a long time. It helps to protect those nasty cuts and cracks until they heal.

http://newskinproducts.com/products/liquid_bandage.aspx

I've not used that product. But in a pinch, I've used Super Glue (or some cyanoacrylate equivalent) - a bit dicey until it sets up, but very effective.

 

[russ_watters]

I wash my hands almost every time I go to the bathroom...

Almost?

 

[HeLiXe]

I used to wash and scrub my hands until the skin started rubbing off and blood started seeping out but I don't do that anymore

Yes it's more like seeping than all out bleeding

I wash my hands almost every time I go to the bathroom... as an experienced hand washer, I have no idea what to recommend. My hands crack and bleed in the winter also.

Thanks FlexGunship :) I was mine everytime I go to the bathroom...sometimes before depending on what i was handling, but now with the dog I am washing them before and after I use the bathroom.

Don't use dishwashing detergent for washing hands, it's a sure way to wash away the natural defenses of the skin. My hands also crack in the winter, wearing gloves outside helps a lot in reducing that.

Thanks Monique! You are really such a great help to me with this.

Trust me. Cracked and bleeding fingers is exactly why you need these. This is what we're talking about.

yikes! Mine is not like this...its like cracks in the pattern of the skin and sometimes blood comes out visibly or i will see a lot of tiny scabs where i did not even know the skin was cut.

I work in a hospital and see and touch patients several times a day. I use antibacterial gel every time I enter and leave a room plus lots of times when I'm just walking down the hallway. It probably amounts to a few dozen uses per day, plus of course I wash my hands anytime I use the restroom.

I've found this has affected my hand hygiene at home as well. I keep lots of little antibacterial gel bottles around and use them frequently and wash my hands every so often "just because".

This seems perfectly normal to me although maybe I am not the best judge. I would guess I now wash my hands like three dozen times per day...maybe a dozen more if I am cooking a dish that requires me to prepare raw meat.

This awakens memories of a classic Peanuts cartoon strip. I haven't found the strip itself online yet, but I can reconstruct the dialog from memory, at least approximately:

CHARLIE BROWN: [patting Snoopy] I have to go to dinner now, Snoopy.
SALLY: And now you have to wash your hands again because you touched the dog.
CHARLIE BROWN: [walking off] Oh, good grief.
SNOOPY: [ears perking up] "Touched the dog?" [glaring at Sally] "Touched the dog?"
SALLY: [backing away] Stay away from me, my hands are clean!
SNOOPY: [chasing Sally] Pat my head and get a handful of germs! Beware the walking disease carrier! I'm loaded with bubonic plague!
SALLY: [standing on a dresser] HELP!
SNOOPY: [walking off] "Touched the dog." Good grief.

I would say this is 88% me lol I love to pet my doggie and pick him up and I got him groomed the day after I bought him, so he smells clean and looks clean...but he is still a dog lol.

Hi!

Yes, I also suffer from this particular symptom of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, amongst a few others.

My hands always get extremely dry during the Winter, with painful cuts that will bleed if I do nothing about them.

I personally recommend this cream:


I don't know if you can find it where you live, but if you do, trust me that this is the best thing you can get.

Not only is it the only cream I've ever tried that actually works, but it has also done true wonders for me, healing the cuts and hydrating the skin in my hands.

Thank you so much rppc! I will try to find this one as well, this is very helpful to me!

 

[russ_watters]

Plain Soap As Effective As Antibacterial But Without The Risk

Antibacterial gel and antibacterial soap aren't the same thing though.

 

[russ_watters]

What lotion do you use? I wash my hands frequently and it has skyrocketed since I purchased a dog. The skin on my hands is like paper now and is cracking a little and bleeding. I put some baby oil on them today for relief, but I just wonder if there is a strong and better lotion out there.

You can buy hand soap with lotion in it. How many times a day are we talking though? I probably wash mine 10-20 times a day and don't have any major issues except in winter, so I put on hand lotion at night in the winter.

 

[HeLiXe]

Because I work with chemicals, I wash my hands a lot. I wear disposable gloves of course but it's the powder residue from the glove I'm constantly washing off.

I use St. Ives hand lotion - by far the best of ones I've tried. Soaks in fast and it's not greasy. Pretty cheap, too.

Thanks lisab -- i totally did not even think about St. Ives! I used to use their collagen elastin lotion and apricot scrub.

There is a liquid product called New Skin. It has been around a long time. It helps to protect those nasty cuts and cracks until they heal.

http://newskinproducts.com/products/liquid_bandage.aspx

Thanks so much edward.

 

[edward]

I've not used that product. But in a pinch, I've used Super Glue (or some cyanoacrylate equivalent) - a bit dicey until it sets up, but very effective.

Yep they are using products similar to Super Glue in surgery now. Heck it probably is Super Glue. It can be dicey. Don't glue your finger to the refrigerator or anything too big to take to the emergency room.

 

[russ_watters]

I've not used that product. But in a pinch, I've used Super Glue (or some cyanoacrylate equivalent) - a bit dicey until it sets up, but very effective.

For a cut that won't stay closed on its own, superglue is the only way to go now that J&J discontinued Band Aid Liquid Bandages (superglue with analgesic). NewSkin has very little strength to it, so while it is good as a protector, I find little advantage over regular bandages.

 

[HeLiXe]

You can buy hand soap with lotion in it. How many times a day are we talking though? I probably wash mine 10-20 times a day and don't have any major issues except in winter, so I put on hand lotion at night in the winter.

I used to wash mine about 15-20 times per day but now it is like 35 times per day and if I am cooking something that requires preparation of raw meat it's probably 45+ times. I usually only have issues in the winter, but now with this escalated hand washing I'm not sure how it will be for other seasons.

 

[Drakkith]

I used to wash mine about 15-20 times per day but now it is like 35 times per day and if I am cooking something that requires preparation of raw meat it's probably 45+ times. I usually only have issues in the winter, but now with this escalated hand washing I'm not sure how it will be for other seasons.

Sweet jesus.

 

[AlephZero]

Maybe you need to stop and think how any of your ancestors survived at all, without all these modern aids to hygene. And they all DID survive, over thousands if not millions of years, otherwise you wouldn't be here at all.

There was a lot of sense in the saying from my grandparent's time - "you have to eat a peck of dirt before it kills you". That's a peck as in 2 gallons, not one grain of birdseed.

 

[Evo]

While it's prudent to wash your hands out in public to avoid picking up germs if you tend to put your hands in your mouth, or handle food that goes directly into your mouth after touching things strangers touch. You stand lest risk in your own home. Still wash after going to the bathroom, but otherwise at home, unless you're handling questionable foods like raw chicken, you shouldn't worry as much. Also, the amount of time you spend, the heat of the water, these can stirp your hands of essntial, protective oils.

I simply rub petroleum jelly on the backs of my hands especially at night when i won't be washing it off immediately, you can slather your hands with it and put on thin clean cotton gloves at night if your hands are in really bad shape, you will be astonished at the improvement in the morning. But if the cuts are open and bleeding like dl's I'd dab neosporin on them.

 

[jhae2.718]

Maybe you need to stop and think how any of your ancestors survived at all, without all these modern aids to hygene. And they all DID survive, over thousands if not millions of years, otherwise you wouldn't be here at all.

There was a lot of sense in the saying from my grandparent's time - "you have to eat a peck of dirt before it kills you". That's a peck as in 2 gallons, not one grain of birdseed.

I think this bears repeating...

 

[russ_watters]

Maybe you need to stop and think how any of your ancestors survived at all, without all these modern aids to hygene. And they all DID survive, over thousands if not millions of years...

But few of them more than 40 years. Modern hygiene and sanitation is one of the great advances of humanity that is primarily responsible for the doubling of human lifespans over the past 120 years or so.

 

[ChiralWaltz]

I have had some real problems with dry hands and cracking cuticles in the dry winter seasons since I was a child. Aveeno is the best brand I know, recommended by a friend of mine. No messy residue, soaks in quickly, no fragrance, and it lasts a while. It is also extremely cheap compared to other products on the skin care market.

It has 139x 5 star reviews on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Aveeno-Active-Naturals-Moisturizing-18-Ounce/product-reviews/B001E96L6I/ref=dp_db_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

If I'm really hurting (can't type, write or whatever without wincing), I use the Skin Relief Formula. The SR Formula tends to be more greasy than Daily.

https://www.amazon.com/Aveeno-Active-Naturals-Relief-Moisturizing/product-&tag=pfamazon01-20reviews/B0013OJUY4/ref=dp_db_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

 

[HeLiXe]

But few of them more than 40 years. Modern hygiene and sanitation is one of the great advances of humanity that is primarily responsible for the doubling of human lifespans over the past 120 years or so.

I think this bears repeating

 

[HeLiXe]

Sweet jesus.

lol

Maybe you need to stop and think how any of your ancestors survived at all, without all these modern aids to hygene. And they all DID survive, over thousands if not millions of years, otherwise you wouldn't be here at all.

There was a lot of sense in the saying from my grandparent's time - "you have to eat a peck of dirt before it kills you". That's a peck as in 2 gallons, not one grain of birdseed.

I have an aunt who says "dirt can't kill you unless it falls on you" in large quantity of course.

While it's prudent to wash your hands out in public to avoid picking up germs if you tend to put your hands in your mouth, or handle food that goes directly into your mouth after touching things strangers touch. You stand lest risk in your own home. Still wash after going to the bathroom, but otherwise at home, unless you're handling questionable foods like raw chicken, you shouldn't worry as much. Also, the amount of time you spend, the heat of the water, these can stirp your hands of essntial, protective oils.

I simply rub petroleum jelly on the backs of my hands especially at night when i won't be washing it off immediately, you can slather your hands with it and put on thin clean cotton gloves at night if your hands are in really bad shape, you will be astonished at the improvement in the morning. But if the cuts are open and bleeding like dl's I'd dab neosporin on them.

Thanks Evo. Petroleum jelly does work wonders but I don't like the way it feels on my hands. The only time it doesn't bother me with gloves is when it is extremely cold like below 0C, but I might give it a try just to get my hands in a better state. Mineral oil also helps provide relief as it coats the skin, but I just prefer the lotion/creme texture. I also do not use hot/warm water to wash my hands because it really messes up my skin quickly.

I have had some real problems with dry hands and cracking cuticles in the dry winter seasons since I was a child. Aveeno is the best brand I know, recommended by a friend of mine. No messy residue, soaks in quickly, no fragrance, and it lasts a while. It is also extremely cheap compared to other products on the skin care market.

It has 139x 5 star reviews on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Aveeno-Active-Naturals-Moisturizing-18-Ounce/product-reviews/B001E96L6I/ref=dp_db_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

If I'm really hurting (can't type, write or whatever without wincing), I use the Skin Relief Formula. The SR Formula tends to be more greasy than Daily.

https://www.amazon.com/Aveeno-Active-Naturals-Relief-Moisturizing/product-&tag=pfamazon01-20reviews/B0013OJUY4/ref=dp_db_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Ah yes, Aveeno. Thanks Chiral Waltz. This is something that I see on a regular basis and I know I will have easy access to it.

 

[phion]

I always wash after taking my hand out of the pickle or olive jar, and especially the pepperoncini jar.

 

[Evo]

I always wash after taking my hand out of the pickle or olive jar, and especially the pepperoncini jar.

Do you wash it BEFORE sticking it into the jar?

 

[phion]

Do you wash it BEFORE sticking it into the jar?

Not usually.

 

[Evo]

Yeah helixe, i hate the greasy feeling from petroleum jelly to, which is why I wear it at night.

 

[Monique]

Antibacterial gel and antibacterial soap aren't the same thing though.

Ok, but using a gel does not equate to hand washing (the topic). In addition, gels should have at least 70% ethanol to be effective and that's a sure way to dry out hands.

 

[Curious3141]

Ok, but using a gel does not equate to hand washing (the topic).

Using alcohol based hand rubs (gel or liquid) is at least as effective in disinfecting hands as handwashing. *Except* for two caveats - firstly, the handrubs don't work well when there's organic debris on your hands. So if your hands are visibly soiled, wash. Secondly, alcohol is completely ineffective against spores. So if you're worried about spore-forming organisms like Clostridium spp., then washing is the only way.

 

[Monique]

Yeah, and in the case of having dogs ones hands get mostly greasy.

 

[turbo]

A fragrance-free, gentle liquid soap like Scent-Away is pretty handy for showering, hand-washing, etc. It is antibacterial, but not harsh, IMO. The soap is formulated for hunters, to leave no scent that could alert your prey.

My wife and I dilute it it ~50% or so and keep it in pump dispensers at the kitchen and bathroom sinks. It's nice to have an anti-bacterial soap available after you have handled raw chicken, meat, etc.

 

[AlephZero]

But few of them more than 40 years. Modern hygiene and sanitation is one of the great advances of humanity that is primarily responsible for the doubling of human lifespans over the past 120 years or so.

"Life expectancy from birth" can give a misleading idea, because it is skewed by high infant mortality rates, and young infants are biologically quite cheap to replace. Compare the changes in life expectancy for age 0 and the less dramatic rise from age 10: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0005140.html

For example in 1850, the expected age at death for a white male was 38 years at birth, but if he survived to age 10 it had increased to 58 years. Compare with the most recent data in taht table (2004) where the corresponding ages are 75.7 and 76.3 years.

It's a reasonable assumption that Helix is already more than 10 years old, so the "doubling of lifespan" statistic doesn't apply.

 

[rppc]

Thank you so much rppc! I will try to find this one as well, this is very helpful to me!

No problem!

If you do buy it, I recommend that you put it on before you go to bed, so that you won't wash it off immediately afterwards.

I usually spread it across the top of my hands, then put on some old socks in my hands to prevent it from making everything around sticky and from getting into my eyes during the night.

 

[FlexGunship]

There is a liquid product called New Skin. It has been around a long time. It helps to protect those nasty cuts and cracks until they heal.

I've not used that product. But in a pinch, I've used Super Glue (or some cyanoacrylate equivalent) - a bit dicey until it sets up, but very effective.

The first aid kit in my car, the one that I keep at home, and the one that goes with me on hikes contains many small tubes of cyanoacrylate. It is, by far, the best way to seal a clean wound. It can be a little annoying when it hardens, but it beats a Band-Aid(TM) by several thousand points. As a plus, I notice there's a tendency to leave more visible scars if it's a particularly deep cut.

I love finding the "20-packs" at Big Lots, or Ocean State Job Lot, or Family Dollar. So much cheaper, quicker, and convenient than adhesive bandages. Plus, I'm allowed to make fun of that Barry Manilow jingle (http://www.barrynethomepage.com/commercialjingles.html) because I don't use the product.

Almost?

I know what I wrote.

EDIT: Also, I don't like to use lotion on my hands much because then I get comments from girls along the lines of "Your hands are so soft." Which is basically an insult... and should serve to explain why I need my scars to be more prominent.

 

[turbo]

I don't wash my hands obsessively, but I do wash them every time, in certain circumstances. Got to put away clean dishes, silverware, or utensils? Wash up before doing so. Got to apply some triple-antibiotic ointment to an injury on my dog or myself? Wash up before. Too much soap or detergent can strip oils out of your skin, but there are times when you have to get aggressive. My grandfather always used Lava on his hands (heavy-equipment mechanic) though today there is Gojo that does the job for me when my hands are greasy. Nice orange scent, too.