Good evening, Does anyone has good tips on how to manage the handwashing because I try some many ways but I still manage to backfired. My problem is I don’t count right so I have to constantly start over
Think about this: experts recommend washing your hands for the duration it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice, which is about 20 seconds. This effectively removes 99.9% of germs. Achieving 100% germ elimination is impossible. let's say you wind up with 0.1% possibility of germs. So you think I will wash more to get to lesser percentage. Problem is, by you doing so, you damage the skin, increasing infection risk. So basically the remaining 0.01% have now far greater possibility to infect, because you eliminate the first line of defense against germs, which is your skin. Therefore, washing for the recommended time is optimal for hygiene without harming your skin is the safer way. Got it?
@hanysm@gmail.com Thank you.
@hanysm@gmail.com Any other methods that also works too
@Lisa_1698 Use time instead of counting. 20 seconds max.
@hanysm@gmail.com Thank you
This is one of my compulsions. Even if I count out loud, I somehow catch myself skipping a number and I have to start all over.
If you're dealing with contamination OCD, consider using a watch or alarm clock to help time your activities initially. Over time, your internal clock will adjust, and you may find you no longer need the timer. This approach can be useful for showering and bathing as well. It's also important to pay attention to how frequently you wash. Allow your skin enough time to rebuild its outer layer, the epidermis, between washes. This usually takes a few hours. Only wash again if there's a specific reason, such as using the bathroom or if you notice VISIBLE dirt. These should be rare exceptions. Even in these cases, try to keep washing under 20 seconds unless it's an extreme situation.
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