Is there such a thing as too much hand washing?

United States
March 8, 2008 10:32am CST
I know this lady who every time she uses the restroom uses a paper towell to open the door for fear of germs. She also has a can of lysol and sprays her desk all the time. I told her there are germs everywhere and you cant avoid them. Now heres the weird part, she is always sick and I never get sick. What about those so called germs lady?????
1 person likes this
4 responses
@mbs730 (2147)
• Canada
8 Mar 08
I can somewhat sympathize because I am phobic of some germs, only ones that cause stomach bugs since I am emetophobic. However here is why she keeps getting sick. If you overdo it with the cleaning and spraying, it will get rid of ALL germs that also includes the good ones and you need to be exposed to SOME bad to become immune to it. Last winter, I did something similar with my kids. I put something called invisible gloves on them which is a cream that keeps your hands clean for 6 hours. I also sanitized their hands for reassurance and sprayed their toys all the time. Well they still managed to get a bug that made them puke. This time, I am not doing that other than sanitizing their hands and don't want to speak too soon but they both have had nothing other than colds and some sinus infections. So if you get rid of ALL germs, it's going to lower your resistance and you will get sick easily too. Going towards both extremes will end up in the same result, ironically. You clean up once before they eat, that will be enough to stop the bad germs from attacking you. Usually anyway... and besides if you wash your hands too much it will dry out your hands beyond belief and in the middle of winter that is a bad thing.
• United States
8 Mar 08
Thanks, didnt know that we need some germs. If I tell her what you said, she wont believe me without some sort of proof. And yes, she spends alot of money on lotion. She is always putting lotion on her hands. What a shame :(
@mbs730 (2147)
• Canada
8 Mar 08
Yeah we do need some germs to keep us healthy believe it or not. But knowing how debilitating a phobia can be, I know where she is coming from. And I am sorry :( it is ashame.. shows you that too much of ANYTHING is so bad, whether its good or bad.
@balasri (26537)
• India
9 Mar 08
Some people have this obsession and they keep washing hands.My dermatologist said that too much of washing dries the natural oils on your skin and the skin tends to get dry and chap.
• United States
9 Mar 08
Obsession is the key word! Thanks for comment.
• Canada
9 Mar 08
LOL The reason she is getting sick is because she is making it so her body is not immune to the germs. you are in fact supposed to use a paper towel to open the door and turn off the taps in public places LOL. It's is taught in the food safe course. But she is going a little over board lol
• United States
9 Mar 08
Just a bit overboard... LOL
@miller1978 (1101)
• United States
8 Mar 08
There is such thing as too much hand washing. It's usually related to an OCD. There are people with different kinds of OCD's. Using to much Lysol could also lead to the reason she is sick so often. I keep my hands clean and use Lysol in moderation. I'm not sick that often but when I get sick I get really bad.
• United States
8 Mar 08
Can you explain how using too much lysol can make you sick. I am not being funny, I really want to know because this lady makes me sick just watching her.