I scared. I’m just scared. I have major OCD over germs and illness. I cut my leg days ago. Actually, an allergic relation to the adhesive on Band-aids peeled off a piece of my skin with it. Just peeled right off like a sunburn. I couldn’t get it to stop bleeding for 10 minutes. Ever since, I’ve been washing it with soap and water thoroughly, applying Neosporin and a clean bandage every 24-hours. It’s been about 4 days, but every time I remove the old bandage to change it, there’s some old, brown, crusted blood on it. Why is it still bleeding ever so slightly? Why is it still open? Why is it not scabbing over at all? It looks more and more red, but not in an infected way. More like blood forming to try and scab, if that makes sense. I have no signs of infection. No soreness, no red streaks, no swelling, no fever, no drainage. I just keep hearing this nurse in my head from the ER months ago when I had to have my hand glue closed. She told me about cellulitis, which I never knew about. Obesity can you more susceptible, which I’m overweight. And it’s mostly seen on the lower leg, where my cut is. I keep obsessing over it, though I have no symptoms. I constantly worry about it. It’s wrecking my whole nervous system. I keep using clean towels, clean clothes—especially socks. I’ve gone through hundreds—and I mean HUNDREDS of Bandaids. I had a cut on my hand on September 1st that healed in 7 days. But my legs seem to take weeks to heal. Probably poor circulation. I just want it to heal. I feel like I can’t do anything until it does.

I think ur cut is trying to heal, but washing it over and over doesn’t give it the chance to scab over. I’m not a doctor, but I’d say to leave it te breathe for a few days and if it still hasn’t scabbed over, is still bleeding or keeps getting redder, go to the doctors to check it out

Yeah sometimes a wound struggles to heal when there is an abundance of moisture. I think by obsessively cleaning the area and then applying a band-aid you’ve prevented the wound from being able to form a scab. I COMPLETELY understand what you mean by needing to cover it. I have a burn on my hand (which I gave myself because of OCD) what I cannot bear to have uncovered. Maybe you could try just sleeping with it uncovered? You’re more unlikely to encounter any harmful bacteria when you’re sleeping. Baby steps? Even if you tried to leave it uncovered for 10 minutes to begin with. Unfortunately, to help your OCS, you have to embrace the uncertainly that you might develop cellulitis. Worst cast scenario, you do. But it can be treated and it’s incredibly unlikely. I totally relate to how you’re feeling, it’s such a hard situation to be in! d a i s y

*OCD (Proof read next time Daisy ?)

It’s so disheartening that somebody, especially a medical professional, can be so oblivious to the crippling side effects of OCD. She obviously had no interest in how the information would impact you. If it had of been me, I would have decided not to mention cellulitis because the chances of you obsessing over it far outweigh the chances of you developing it. I’m so, so sorry to hearing you’re struggling. Take a few deep breathes. Maybe have a cup of tea or do something that calms you? I really like colouring (I know, haha, makes me sound like I’m five) and exercising. You’ve got this. I believe in you. d a i s y

Aw brydwybaby, thank you for reaching out and trusting me when you’re feeling vulnerable. I feel privileged to have been able to help you. Such sweet people like you deserve to be treated with the upmost of kindness. People like you empower me to keep fighting. You are amazing and you are loved. d a i s y

brdwybaby, I’m so honoured to communicate with people like you! You’re fantastic! Keep fighting, you’re worth it! d a i s y

@Sof I think it’s trying to heal, too. I only wash it once a day—when applying a new bandage. And I’m very gentle. I’m going to call my doctor first thing tomorrow morning for some advice. People keep telling me to “let it breathe” but because of that nurse telling me about that skin infection, I’m too terrified to. Like, literally frozen to the core. That’s why I keep covering it with antibiotic ointment and a bandage.

Ok what u mean, it’s terrifying. Especially when ur looking at ur past and what the nurse said. But I really do think that u should let it breathe so it can scab over. Good luck at the doctors! I’m always here if u need to talk.

I just can’t bring myself to even accept the possibility of cellulitis in my head. The nurse that told me about it knew I had OCD, and I begged her not to tell me anything about my hand injury at the time that I didn’t absolutely need to know, as I could obsess for who knows how long. And I didn’t *need* to know that. And here we are, four months later, and I’m doing exactly how I said if she overshared. Not only that, but the way she described the infection was TERRIFYING. Like, death sentence terrifying. And her name was Angel, of all names. ?

Actually, coloring is very therapeutic for me as well! And I agree with you. I wouldn’t have told someone with OCD that either. I watched her pick up medical scissors of an Emergency Room floor and put them in her pocket—the same pocket holding bandages she used on me. I almost died inside watching that. It was a nightmare. But I survived! I gotta keep that in the forefront of my mind. I haven’t developed anything yet. I would think my chance dwindle by the day. You’re so incredibly sweet and I thank you so much for your kind words and reaching out to me!!

You have no idea what that means to me. Thank you. You’re seriously a name I enjoy seeing pop up on here!! The same goes for you, I hope you know! ???