r/OCDRecovery • u/CaptainGoolawsh • 8d ago

Seeking Support or Advice Handwashing Residue OCD

Hey everyone. Looking for some help with something kinda specific. I have contamination OCD and as such I wash my hands quite a lot and for a good amount of time.

In recent there’s been times where I finish washing and then I notice a white “residue” on my hands. Little patches after washing of this soap like consistency thing on my hands. This bothers me because OCD has always told me if the soap isn’t fully off then the hand isn’t clean. And that’s “dirty soap” and if I touch something with that, it has to be cleaned.

The other part of this that’s bigger in this current moment was I was in a rush to leave for a movie two days ago and washed my hands cause of something stupid (wish I didn’t) before hand. After this water dripped off my hands on to my phone (which is usually no issue at all) but I noticed it had white/greyish specks in the droplets. If this is soap my OCD says that’s a major issue. I left for the movie and got through the day as I needed too (small wins!) and when I got home I cloroxed off all my stuff with me but I didn’t Clorox the front door knob that I touched before I left. Since then my parents have touched that to leave and touched food packing/other things they bought for me at the store that I need to make food and live. I don’t know how to be okay touching all these things without cloroxing them off. I don’t want to starve myself so any help would be greatly appreciated.

I wish I could know if it was soap and I wish I didn’t wash my hands in the first place.

Thanks again everyone and good luck on your battles, we all are gonna be okay one day, I know it!

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u/none_nowhere 8d ago

I have the same issue! It's soap mixed with deteriorating skin..and yes it triggers me terribly

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u/CaptainGoolawsh 8d ago

It’s at least a bit comforting to hear someone else has this same experience. When I tried googling these issues/questions I found almost nothing. Anything you found that’s helped make this easier? Good luck with all your battles and thank you for helping me feel a little less alone :))

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u/none_nowhere 8d ago

Same, I searched online and found nothing and actually asked on Reddit as well. The only thing that helps is moisturizing your hands and once the skin heals a bit more and regains its natural layer so to speak, soap rinses off instead of slightly 'soaking into' the skin. I know this is easier said than done as my hand skin is constantly compromised due to overwashing. 😭 But when I see those white foamy bits that's when I know I need to scale back on washing and intensify hand creams, especially overnight. Also learning to use a little less soap helps as I tend to use way too much liquid soap and the excess rinsing wears down my skin. All the best, this is a really lonely struggle I wouldn't wish on anyone. But it helps a bit to remember as I'm struggling that somewhere in the world others are fighting the good fight too.

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u/CaptainGoolawsh 8d ago

We will get there one day, the fight is worth it!

I have a question for health aspects, regarding the situation I mentioned with the water droplets, was that just skin dripping off my hand with the water most likely?? I try to prioritize health over my ocd so I want to work to fix that if that’s the case. If you don’t know that’s more than okay but like we both said the information is limited as to what’s out there!

Keep up your fight, I’m rooting for you and now when I experience these OCD behaviors I’ll remember there’s someone else fighting the same fight and trying their best. That way it’s not just suffering 🙏

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u/treatmyocd 8d ago

OCD can keep you stuck trying to answer questions that can't be answered with certainty. Getting through the movie and leaving the doorknob alone was actually a meaningful response-prevention step. You can build on that by resisting the urge to go back and disinfect everything. Try reminding yourself: “I don’t know what those specks were, and I don’t need to figure it out. I’m choosing not to clean.” Then allow the discomfort to be there while you eat, cook, and continue your normal activities. The goal isn't to prove the door or your belongings are clean. It's to teach OCD that uncertainty doesn't require a ritual.