Did you wash your hands?

[Gregoshi]

Since I reached my early 40s certain parts of a few fingers would go through a cycle of forming small "blisters" (for lack of a better term) and then the skin would crack open (ouch!) and eventually heal. After a couple of years of this I finally went to a dermatologist to find out what was going on. After looking at my fingers and asking some questions about my handwashing habits, he told me I wash them too much.* Too much? Was that possible? I guess it stemmed from working in a restaurant during my late teens. I was very conscious of having clean hands while handling food and I guess the habit stuck. It is terrible, as I had to started wearing rubber or latex gloves whenever I knew I'd be in a situation where my hands would go through several wet/dry cycles in a short period of time...cooking, hand washing dishes, cleaning, etc. Yellow rubber gloves are just not the fashion statement I want to make.


* to add to the trama of this dermatologist visit, my other complaint was with the skin in the corners of my mouth kept splitting open (double ouch). Dr. Feelgood tells me that that is causes by me drooling in my sleep. I wash my hands too much and I drool in my sleep...my self-esteem was pretty low walking out of the doctor's office.

[Geoffrey S]

You know, it's funny you should mention that. My hands have have been showing just that problem over the last few months and I was wondering what was causing it; I figured I might not be drying my hands properly after washing or something, but it could have something to do with doing a lot more washing up and plenty of sports in and around water. Interesting!

[Beren Son Of Barahi]

Since I reached my early 40s certain parts of a few fingers would go through a cycle of forming small "blisters" (for lack of a better term) and then the skin would crack open (ouch!) and eventually heal. After a couple of years of this I finally went to a dermatologist to find out what was going on. After looking at my fingers and asking some questions about my handwashing habits, he told me I wash them too much.* Too much?

O.C.D?

[Sigurd]

I wash mine after every toilet visit, every time before touching food and every time my hands get dirty (paint, oil, dirt etc)

I guess I am covered.
I even use moisturiser (some form of hand creem).
In my youth I worked in our national postal service. I handled lots of paper everyday and my hands were like what Gregoshi descibes.
My co-workers suggested teat fat… the same that farmers use on the udders of cows. I didn’t get just that but got a fat hand cream from the pharmacist. It worked wonders and the dryness and hurting cracks in the hand surface disappeared after only days. I still use moisturiser and it keeps my hands soft.

[Gregoshi]

O.C.D?

That is over my head Beren. What is "O.C.D."?

[drone]

That is over my head Beren. What is "O.C.D."?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

[Gregoshi]

Thanks drone. It could be a slight case of OCD. I don't have to go running for the sink the moment a spot of dirt appears on my hands...but once the dirty job is complete, I do prefer clean hands.

[Samurai Waki]

I am O.C.D. about keeping myself clean. I wash until my hands get blisters, I have germaphobia, which is horrible... because I have two little girls that get sick, I can't stand it when someone sneezes near me. I used to even hate going into public places in fear of getting sick, but I've gotten over it since then... I still have trouble with restraunts though.

[drone]

Just wait until your two little girls start interacting with other little girls and boys. It doesn't matter how much you wash, you are going to get some nasty stuff from them. Worst. Germ-carrying vectors. Ever.