mental-health-icon
Hand wash once is enough to remove germs
I have handwashing OCD, due to which I wash my hands a total of 4 times at a time whenever I touch anything that I feel might have germs, bacteria, viruses, or fungi. To stop this habit, I want to know and be sure that washing hands once with soap and water is enough to remove every germ, bacteria, virus, and fungus, or do I really need to wash my hands at least 3 or 4 times to be safe?
41 Views v

Answers (11)

20000+ health queries resolved in last month
Care AI Shimmer
Hi, The best way ahead would be a detailed clinical interview to understand the symptoms and your comprehensive history.  For a personalized plan, find me by searching "Dr Abhinav Tewari Neuropsychiatrist Lucknow" on Google Maps — my details are listed there.  ẄĤÃŤŠÅPP available on nine⁹ four⁴ one¹ five⁵ three³ nine⁹ four⁴ three³ seven⁷ nine⁹ Kind Regards, Dr Abhinav Tewari Consultant Neuro-Psychiatrist MBBS (A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi) MD (Psychiatry) (A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi) DNB (NBEMS)
Answered
Flag this Answer
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
I think you’ve found the answer to your question from the answers given. OCD can be very distressing, if not resolving, take professional consultation for it. Tc!
Answered
Flag this Answer
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
Washing your hands once with soap and water is enough to remove germs in normal situations. Needing to wash repeatedly and feeling unsafe even after cleaning suggests OCD-type anxiety, not real infection risk. Please consult a psychiatrist or psychologist — therapy and treatment can help you break this cycle and feel in control again.
Answered
Flag this Answer
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
Hello ma'am With your issues Sometimes it happens that it might just be a slight abnormal thing and google tells you it to be OCD and gives you stress due to that which causes further new symptoms or worsening of previous symptoms Still require some more information regarding the symptoms
Next Steps
kindly contact me on seven nine seven four six zero eight one nine nine or kindly consult online for further management and treatment
Answered
Flag this Answer
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
For OCD take Exposure Response Prevention therapy, CBT and Relaxation therapy. Contact me at nine eight seven one four five six eight four seven.
Answered
Flag this Answer
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
Hii This could be problem of ocd Please consult psychiatrist You need to start with medicine and therapy
Answered
Flag this Answer
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
"Hi there, I understand that seeking help can feel overwhelming, but you’ve already taken the first brave step. I can guide you with a clear treatment plan tailored just for you, so you can feel better and regain control over your life. You can reach me directly on WhatsApp for quick support on seven zero eight two zero two two zero six two."
Answered
Flag this Answer
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
Hi see,Scientifically, washing hands once properly with soap and water for about 20 seconds is enough to remove most germs, bacteria, viruses, and fungi including those responsible for illnesses. Washing multiple times doesn’t make your hands safer; it only reinforces the OCD cycle by telling your brain that you can’t trust once to be enough. Your goal in therapy will be to rebuild trust in a single wash and reduce the anxiety that urges you to repeat the ritual. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a CBT technique, helps gradually reduce these compulsions by training your brain to tolerate uncertainty and discomfort without giving in to repeated washing. You don’t need more washing you need to reduce reassurance-seeking to reclaim control from OCD. Take therapy. You can connect with me on nine two six six seven two six zero six five.
Answered
Flag this Answer
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
It is normal and sufficient to wash hands once, to kill most of the harmful germs. If you are having an urge to wash repeatedly due to doubt of still being contaminated, it's probably obsessive compulsive disorder. It's in your best interest if you consult a psychiatrist in person and get yourself assessed in detail.
Next Steps
consult a psychiatrist in person
Answered
Flag this Answer
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
You can consult any psychiatrist and get treated for the same.
Answered
Flag this Answer
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
Hi.. consult online for treatment
Answered
Flag this Answer
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.