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Avatar universal

Dry Hand OCD?

I'm not entirely sure how to explain this. I've had it my entire life, or for as long as I can remember. (I'm 17.)
I have searched for what it is so I can put a name on it many times, with no success. Just recently I found a forum post which relates very closely to what I have been experiencing.

So when I touch water, mainly with my hands but it happens on my feet too, I'll get a dry, unbearable feeling that makes me clench my fists. I'll be unable to touch anything rough, and the thought of it gives me goosebumps. Touching very soft blankets, or my hair releaves the feeling. So does touching water again, for as long as I keep my hands in it, and then I'll get the feeling again. I wouldn't necessarily call the feeling pain, but it's extremely uncomfortable. Enough to instinctively clench my fists, which seems to help.

So far, the only way to help it is to use lotion, and as a guy it seems a bit weird, but I always have lotion on me. If I don't have lotion, I have to wait it out.

From the 2nd quote below, he says "Anything dry touching teeth... this one drives me crazy where I have to rub my teeth with my fingers to get rid of the feeling it gives me."
I'm exactly the same way, thinking about it has my teeth feeling dry.

I'll quote what others said on the forum I found.

"Hi. My name is Ashley. I am 29. I have the exact same "compulsion" I guess we are calling it regarding my hands feeling dry. I never in a million years thought this would be something shared by another individual. I have the same obsession/dependence on lotions, and the same discomfort and even anxiety over hands (or even feet) that "feel" dry (whether they truly are or not). I have several surfaces I "can't" touch. The WORST of these is after I shower, and go to dry off. The feeling of a towel on my pruny hands makes me gag and get goosebumps all over. I either have to have my husband dry me off, or I wear latex gloves to dry off. I, too, get goosebumps even writing about this. Touching paper, clothing, PAPER TOWELS (shudder), really anything besides a smooth plastic or metal surface is bothersome to me. I know my hands cannot really be dry, as I moisturize constantly and do NOT overly wash my hands. I ball my fists up, and have also licked my palms to dissipate the "dry" feeling.
I have a history with extreme anxiety issues, since childhood. I don't know why I never attributed this odd behavior to something like anxiety (or OCD). I guess I just thought I was a weirdo with a weird phobia. Turns out I am not alone! Let us "dry handed" freaks unite! "

And

"I have this same problem but mine goes in different directions too. I'm curious if these things bother you...

Anything dry touching teeth... this one drives me crazy where I have to rub my teeth with my fingers to get rid of the feeling it gives me.

Thats really the worst one for me. I cannot touch anything dry with my feet or hands. As soon as I step out of the shower, I have to put lotion on my feet and hands because of the dryness. I'm actually having surgery tomorrow and they said that I have to shower the night before AND that morning and CANNOT put any type of moisturizer on. I'm thinking of skipping the shower just so that i dont have to go through the dry torture. "



If you could shed some light, tell me what this is, or anything, I would be much appreciated.
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Avatar universal
Hi everybody I just wanted to leave a comment and let you know that you are definitely not alone and it was so nice to see other people who did this as well although I know it is maddening it does make me feel a little less crazy! My mom gets on to me about it all the time, it drives her crazy but I keep going back and I'll just stick my head under the water really quick and rub them together because the feeling of dry hands even sometimes my feet it makes me crazy and I will start getting prickly Sensations all over my body. I have suffered from severe anxiety attack, severe phobias, actual physical tics if you will like coughing, blinking, sniffing... PTSD as I've gotten older, insomnia you name it I have probably dealt with it in some form or another. I wish that whoever it is that decides who gets disability could see that even though I know how to write, I am intelligent, well-spoken I suffer in ways that people could not even imagine but because they don't see me as someone that looks disabled or is coming in there on a walker or in a wheelchair which please don't get me wrong I understand there are people that are suffering that need disability so I'm not taking away from them I'm simply saying that I get denied simply because you cannot see my ailment. I wish all of you the best and would love to keep communicating about this and other mental health issues. Best of luck, much love
Helpful - 2
2 Comments
Hey so does anyone on this page also get the feeling of it being harder to breath and you then swallow a breath (gulp sort of thing) when your hands are overly dry. Paper and very soft clothing/blankets is something I can’t touch! After my hands get wet from shower or washing up etc anything and everything or even nothing can make my hands feel too dry. I have to constantly wet or moisturise my hands to relieve this….
I would say what you're experiencing is "normal" for us. If I don't have access to a decent lotion after a shower, I freeze up and start to panic a little. This feeling may be a little different for others with so much going on and could bring you shortness of breath. Find yourself a good lotion that helps fast, this may take some experimenting, but I promise you there are ways to relieve the discomfort fast.
Avatar universal
I am 25 years old. Up until a year or two ago, I did not have this compulsion. I have a history of substance abuse, poor impulse control etc. (I’m a mess) but in the past year I have gotten clean, I work a lot and I have a kid. I have bettered myself in a lot of ways, but my mental state is fragile. I need constant distraction (watching shows on my phone) and nicotine. I have poor spending habits and I have an awful sleep schedule and routine. My hands almost always have to be moisturized. Sometimes it doesn’t bother me as much, but at my worse I will use chapstick or even lick my hands to relieve the anxiety around my dry hands. I cannot touch anything super soft, like micro-fiber towels, and after showering it’s really bad and I always need to have lotion on hand. I have the sensation anxiety when it comes to my feet too, just not as bad. After reading this, I guess I’m not alone, but I wish I knew what in my life caused this to become such a necessity. I hope I can get help…
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Avatar universal
I recently got some emails from people saying they saw my post and have the same issue. It's been a minute since I've been back to this post, but I thought I'd give a quick update. I'm 23 now, and not much has changed with the conditions. I can't tell you a scientific name for the condition, nor has a doctor been able to pinpoint it for me. I've heard from one that they remember something like it in their studies while they were in university for  becoming a doctor, but for more details I'd have to visit a specialist. Unfortunately I've not had the excess of funds to do so, but I've made by in my own ways!

I would like to say, if you're reading this, and have the same problems as the rest of us, you are not alone! There are many many of us, not only on this post, but from emails that I have received. We all manage it in different ways. On the outside you'd think I'm completely normal; because I tend to deal with this problem lowkey. I don't tell many people and am able to resolve it in the background. I actually worked through a few kitchen jobs, dishes, cooking. Know it's not impossible and you can still do anything! A good lotion is so huge! If you've recently been struggling, do some experimenting with different lotions. Thicker ones work well, but I can't guide you in a advertised sort of recommendation. You will have to do your own testing for your own skin. If you're applying lotion after a shower and it's not relieving your hand almost instantly, it's probably not the best. I'd say I've gotten to the point to where I apply once as soon as I get out, then about 5 minutes later one more small bit on my hand and then I'm back to normal. You will just have to remember to keep a small travel sized bottle of lotion on you wherever you go. Cars, travel bags for airports, etc. If I visit a doctor in the future and find better solutions, a scientific name for all of our conditions, or even a cure! I will instantly come back here and inform all of you. I hope everyone is doing well, I love coming back here seeing new posts of more and more people with the same problem. I hate that we have it, but it's always heart warming knowing we are not alone in this massive world we live in.

Farewell friends,
Dylan
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
Have you ever thought of treating the ocd?
Avatar universal
I have the exact same problem with both my hands and lips. I run through both lip balm and lotion within 2 weeks. I can’t function at all when my hands are dry to the point where they start to itch.
I remember when i was younger and i was waiting to do my hair i kept going to the bathroom to put hand soap on my hands and my hairdresser noticed so she offered me lotion . It gets worse when I’m in a room with AC since my hands and lips feel dry 2x faster, not to mention the fact I can’t handle textures like chalk, cardboard and paper especially when my hands are dry, it’s like torture.
This group definitely makes me feel somewhat better about it though, a solution would be appreciated
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2 Comments
Yeah…. I thibk its a bad demon who s making fun of us. I know its maybe just nothing for some people, but the mental problems are not from God, I think we should pray for this horible dissease, because i believe its not natural at all. Its excruciating
Same with chalk and paper! Oh it creeps me out to think about it. I’ve progressed to the point where I don’t like someone else’s skin touching mine if I don’t have lotion after the shower. I mentioned in another post that my symptoms have gotten better when I FORCE myself to use less lotion. I find this is true with chapstick too! I know it’s unfathomable and enough to make you cry, but I would be so interested to see an experiment on this. There’s totally enough of us here for a study. Anyone know any dermatology residents looking for research? I’m also curious what everyone’s skin type is and if that plays a role. I have very fair skin. The more info we gather the closer we are to answers. It’s wonderful to see so many people respond to this.
Avatar universal
Oh my god almost everything in this forum is spot on, i’ve been suffering from this ever since i was a kid i’m 22 now and it is still the same , even worse . i’m obsessed with lotions and some of my friends have noticed and it’s really embarrassing ! I really don’t know how to treat this but it feels really good knowing there’s other people like me and i no longer feel alone and i feel less crazy.
Helpful - 1
2 Comments
Ah, you're definitely not alone.  And some things we can chalk up to quirks.  And I personally feel it is quirks that make people interesting.  However, if it is something related to obsessive compulsive disorder or anxiety, that can be treated.  Psychotherapy can be very beneficial.  Sometimes they do exposure therapy. My son has something called sensory integration disorder as well.  He has tactile defensiveness.  So, he avoids some things like the plague and others he craves.  There are certain things he does to lesson this situation that I'd be happy to share if you are interested.
@specialmom while some of this could be related to sensory processing disorder, ocd, or anxiety (and i agree exposure therapy could be helpful!), as a life-long sufferer of this unnamed condition i can tell you for a fact it is a physical problem. It has to be a functional disorder, a problem somewhere in the skin or hormones. This is not all mental.
Avatar universal
So I'm back after years of posting this. I frequently checked up on this post but never really logged in to respond. It brings me great happiness to find out that multiple people are like me YET no one can explain/identify what it is. Really goes to show how much we've yet learned about ourselves/this world. It's been 4 years and not a single thing has changed with this skin issue. Seems this post gets a new person to reply every few months yet we've yet to have someone go: "Oh yeah, it's pretty well know just look up ……. and theres a cure." - I wish right? Anyways I just wanted to reply and tell everyone that has this problem, you're not insane, and I don't think it's just a mental thing. I remember, like posts above, that when I was a little kid and had no idea why I was going through this painfully annoying feeling despite none of the other kids having it, that I would like my hands. It made me laugh because like above replies said, their parents quickly got onto them about it. But we never really knew how to explain what was going on. I suppose my parents quickly caught on that there was something wrong and got me lotion. Is it possible that all of us at around the age 3 formed a OCD in our head that if we didn't lotion/saliva our hands it would be painful? I say painful because the exact feeling has been impossible for me to explain since the day I felt it. People ask me, what does it feel like? And I don't really know... It's a feeling that sends me running for lotion or putting my hands on my hair to get moisture after showers. Washing my hands MUST be accompanies by lotion or it's outright miserable. I dread the thought of pools/baths/overnights at friends houses without lotion. I remember as a kid my mother would ask my friends parents if they could keep lotion on deck for me during sleep overs. It's not something I want to do either. I wish there was a cure to it so I could actually enjoy water. But I fear there won't be anything like a cure for this unknown disorder in my life time. Anyways, just wanted to add, after 4 years of this post being alive almost every reply is SPOT ON with what I feel. It's crazy that so many other people can describe their problems like it's my own. And yet some people would think I'm crazy. A comment above said it was a obsession, but I really don't think it is. Like really? I'm a male that's obsessed over a lotion? Give me a break... If my hands wouldn't bother the F* out of me after touching water I'd throw stupid lotion out the window. It's more like my medicine that temporarily fixes the problem. And some brands do a absolute horrible job at that haha. From posts above it seems like thick lotions with Vitamin E work the best. I personally hate scented lotions, and "for dry skin" brands don't always work well. You really have to test out lotions to find which will be the most effective. I say this as in, when I get out of the shower some lotions relieve the pain for 10 seconds and come right back. While others only need 1-2 applications and I'm not bothered at all. I guess this does sound obsessive, but It's a feeling of annoyance I've dealt with for the past 20 years, so I can my brain has gone a little obsessive. Anyways, keep this alive. If anyone else has this same issue, and any tips PLEASE let us know! One day I'll hopefully get rich and start a research team on this. :)


Moisturizers Unite
-DB
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I too have this ‘condition’, and have my entire life. I am 23 years old, and since I can remember I’ve always had what I thought or subsequently classified as hypohydrosis. The only reason I came to that conclusion was because of the sense of relief I got after masking my hands and feet with lotion - profuse sweating. I’m assuming this is because the clogging of my pores. I can remember at age three consistently licking my hands (gross, I know!) just to mask this terribly irritating feeling. I do not have eczema. It’s like crawling beneath my skin, which although not always visible, can sometimes be seen as my hands ‘wrinkle’, I mean I am 23 years old, and even at a very young age in prior years I can see the wrinkling, as if I was 78. It got to the point that my mom was so tired of seeing me lick my hands that by the age of 7 she started buying me lotions - crappy ones at that - that actually made it worse. I’ve gone so far as washing dishes and splashing water on the floor just to soothe my feet, which to me felt like the dessert sand, but I’m sure we’re perfectly average. I have immense amounts of lotions in my home, and on my person at all times. I’ve had many bad experiences being at friends houses or new environments and not having my lotions. It has and continues to cause me severe mental agitation if I do not have it. I HAVE to sleep with socks on, and NEED to lotion my hands and feet multiple times before I go to bed so I am at ease. I’ve always felt very alone in this, but knew someone else out there has to have this. The reason I try to lear myself away from believing it’s OCD, is because well, my 3 year old daughter has the exact same issue, point by point. I have not at any point made it known to her that this is an issue I have, as I do not slather my extremities in lotion in her presence nor have I expressed distain in not having my lotion with me with her in my proximity. She just coincidentally has the exact same issue. I was certainly scrutinized as a child by my mom and siblings which I do not want her to experience; so I’ve taught her that instead of licking her hands and rubbing them on her feet, she can use some lotion - as licking your hands is for obvious reasons very unsanitary. It is just an indescribable sensation when my skin is ‘dry’, and my body has developed the “ability” to make my main extremities, being my hands and feet, sweat on command - which is unfortunately an ability I am known for in my social circle (lol). I, too, get great satisfaction when touching condensation on bottles etc, as well as picking up snow (Canadian, eh?). It is a necessity after washing dishes, showering or washing my hands that I lotion. I also have a sensitivity to certain materials I.e. faux fur blankets, fleece and often static prone materials/objects. It is quite easy to, at this point in my life, chalk this up to OCD, but I hate to think my child is somehow suffering from the same and being unable to offer a constructive alternative to religiously lotioning her hands and feet. It’s just a terrible skin crawling feeling that is only relieved by aggressively moisturizing.

The only advice I can offer is to stick to lotions with vitamin e, this has more of an effect for me than any other, and to avoid thin watery lotions that are heavily scented. You’ll smell great! But you’ll be lotioning yourself again in the next 5 minutes. I’ve accepted that this is just me, and it’s better than needing to flick your lights on and off 28.7 times to ensure they’re working. No offence intended there.. I still have OCD (I think?!).

All the very best to everyone in the same boat here, if you can offer me any advice - it’s always accepted.

Moisturizers Unite!
-SP
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1 Comments
I just want to say it is interesting your daughter has the same. My older sister has the same - we did not grow up together. She is 20 years older than I am. She has been this way her entire life just like me. With some speculating what we are going through  is sensory processing disorder or OCD, it is nice to hear another unexplained account of multiple family members having this problem.
Avatar universal
I am 20 year old male with exact symptoms and i've had them ever since I was baby.

it's an OCD of the oils being removed from the skin. Once the water strips away the oils, your hands are DRY and feel vulnerable to external touch stimuli, so by leaving your hands in the water it ironically provides a "temporary fix".

What does it feel like? The anxiety of nails on a chalkboard but 10x worse... goosebumpy tingles shoot all over body. fight or flight response is acutely activated and reactivates constantly" touching dry/rough materials (towel) is the WORST as you have a subconscious knowledge that this material will dry your hands out further. Remember, the anxiety is spawned by a desire to rebalance the oil (lubrication) content. The longer the water contacts your hands the more it dries them out.

Therefore, thick lotions provide the best immediate relief for the OCD/anxiety.
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
Hi I am 15 years old. I just want to share that I also feel the same way. I always wash my hands because I always feel dry and it irritates me. My hands became rough through out the years, I think it is because of always washing my hands.
Avatar universal
I responded to this thread a few years ago and follow it once in awhile. I’ve had this since I was little - clenching fists out of shower and spitting on feet before socks could be put on. I’m in my early 30s now and still live with needing lotion. I traveled by foot in my late teens and was incarcerated for a night. I was forced to shower in jail and wet my hands. The feeling afterward was so terrible that I was spitting  and literally wetting my hands with toilet water. One thing I have noticed is that if I go awhile without lotion the emergency feeling and the discomfort seem to… dissipate. After the jail incident I kept traveling. During this time I was rarely showering and I noticed I didn’t even travel with lotion. I wasn’t often plagued by the discomfort unless I stayed put somewhere for a week or so and showered more often / did dishes / washed hands. Maybe there is something wrong with the way our skin on our hands and feet produce oil? Does this make sense? When I wasn’t often getting wet I really hardly ever felt that I needed lotion. Now I shower regularly and moisturize more with various oils and creams and feel this sensation worse. It’s not only my hands and feet now - it’s my face and whole body. I do not like to put on pants unless my legs have lotion…. shirts too… and my face feels un-comfy after wetting now without immediate lotion application. My hands and feet still have it the worst and when I apply lotion to my hands I typically need to apply it to my feet too. This sometimes requires me taking off my shoes and socks to accomplish. I wish I knew the answers, but the more information we collectively put out here the closer we can be to an answer. Thanks everyone.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I responded to this thread a few years ago and follow it once in awhile. I’ve had this since I was little - clenching fists out of shower and spitting on feet before socks could be put on. I’m in my early 30s now and still live with needing lotion. I traveled by foot in my late teens and was incarcerated for a night. I was forced to shower in jail and wet my hands. The feeling afterward was so terrible that I was spitting  and literally wetting my hands with toilet water. One thing I have noticed is that if I go awhile without lotion the emergency feeling and the discomfort seem to… dissipate. After the jail incident I kept traveling. During this time I was rarely showering and I noticed I didn’t even travel with lotion. I wasn’t often plagued by the discomfort unless I stayed put somewhere for a week or so and showered more often / did dishes / washed hands. Maybe there is something wrong with the way our skin on our hands and feet produce oil? Does this make sense? When I wasn’t often getting wet I really hardly ever felt that I needed lotion. Now I shower regularly and moisturize more with various oils and creams and feel this sensation worse. It’s not only my hands and feet now - it’s my face and whole body. I do not like to put on pants unless my legs have lotion…. shirts too… and my face feels un-comfy after wetting now without immediate lotion application. My hands and feet still have it the worst and when I apply lotion to my hands I typically need to apply it to my feet too. This sometimes requires me taking off my shoes and socks to accomplish. I wish I knew the answers, but the more information we collectively put out here the closer we can be to an answer. Thanks everyone.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I responded to this thread a few years ago and follow it once in awhile. I’ve had this since I was little - clenching fists out of shower and spitting on feet before socks could be put on. I’m in my early 30s now and still live with needing lotion. I traveled by foot in my late teens and was incarcerated for a night. I was forced to shower in jail and wet my hands. The feeling afterward was so terrible that I was spitting  and literally wetting my hands with toilet water. One thing I have noticed is that if I go awhile without lotion the emergency feeling and the discomfort seem to… dissipate. After the jail incident I kept traveling. During this time I was rarely showering and I noticed I didn’t even travel with lotion. I wasn’t often plagued by the discomfort unless I stayed put somewhere for a week or so and showered more often / did dishes / washed hands. Maybe there is something wrong with the way our skin on our hands and feet produce oil? Does this make sense? When I wasn’t often getting wet I really hardly ever felt that I needed lotion. Now I shower regularly and moisturize more with various oils and creams and feel this sensation worse. It’s not only my hands and feet now - it’s my face and whole body. I do not like to put on pants unless my legs have lotion…. shirts too… and my face feels un-comfy after wetting now without immediate lotion application. My hands and feet still have it the worst and when I apply lotion to my hands I typically need to apply it to my feet too. This sometimes requires me taking off my shoes and socks to accomplish. I wish I knew the answers, but the more information we collectively put out here the closer we can be to an answer. Thanks everyone.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I also want to add that I use all natural lotions and oils now. When I was little I used the brand Suave and NOTHING would soothe my skin if it wasn’t that brand. This had me thinking maybe it was the aluminum or silicones used in some commercial lotions. It felt like my skin was addicted to that particular brand. Now that this has progressed I am very mindful of the ingredients I use on my skin. Some lotions just don’t work. Sometimes I have to reapply lotion on my hands and felt 4-5 times after showering no matter what brand I’m using. I find emu oil and squalene seem to help if locked in with some sort of thick occlusive….
Avatar universal
I am 25 years old. Up until a year or two ago, I did not have this compulsion. I have a history of substance abuse, poor impulse control etc. (I’m a mess) but in the past year I have gotten clean, I work a lot and I have a kid. I have bettered myself in a lot of ways, but my mental state is fragile. I need constant distraction (watching shows on my phone) and nicotine. I have poor spending habits and I have an awful sleep schedule and routine. My hands almost always have to be moisturized. Sometimes it doesn’t bother me as much, but at my worse I will use chapstick or even lick my hands to relieve the anxiety around my dry hands. I cannot touch anything super soft, like micro-fiber towels, and after showering it’s really bad and I always need to have lotion on hand. I have the sensation anxiety when it comes to my feet too, just not as bad. After reading this, I guess I’m not alone, but I wish I knew what in my life caused this to become such a necessity. I hope I can get help…
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Avatar universal
The answer is your thoughts. You must understand your mind. What is the center of this things? The panic, the scared. Fact, that in your brain move thougts, this is the dentritd trees. You can control this trees. If the trees strong, the bad thoughts strong too. The key is:
1. Understand your thougts the good and bad
2. Is the bad thoughts and emotions really or not? Take up this questions to yourself.
3. Forgot the bad things. This is not you are. If came back a thought, remember: This is not true. This is just a thought, not I am.
Believe me. I had ocd eyes (I want suicide in 2018) and breath, and whole body and I scared sleep, and in my house or out from my house, fear of my thoughts my voice etc.
But I am free. Forever.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I don't think this is fully OCD. I have the same symptoms OP has posted about and have for my entire life. My sister who grew up in a separate household also has these symptoms. It actually causes pain to not have lotion after I get my hands wet.
Avatar universal
I’m not much help bc idk what it is either but I strongly relate to this I found this post trying to find out what it is I have been this way since I could remember I keep lotion in my purse and I go though lotion so fast so I have basically a collection but everything that you explained I fully relate to but so far all I’ve found is it’s a sensory related issue but it could also be ocd I have ocd but I never knew that could be apart or related to it I thought it was something else. My ocd isn’t bad some days are worse it is mainly having everything done certain way, organization (if someone moves or touches something I’ll freak out), and basically have a daily routine and if I don’t go along that routine I again freak out but I’ve never thought that me not being able to touch stuff when my hands or feet are dry could also be apart of it.
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Avatar universal
Hello,

from the age of 7 I remember that this happened to me.  I licked my hands, when I was at school and I didn't have hand cream, I applied liquid soap to my hands because it was a different sensation than the one of complete dryness.  I like to go to the water, to the sea, but the problem is that the fup that comes out of the water makes me vomit because I have more dry hair, I apply the cream more instantly, the problem is that I clench my fists and I can't  I open it until I'm done with hand cream.  I tried to unwind, I tried to torment myself and not use the cream, but it was in vain, I did not last more than 3 minutes.  I really wish there was a remedy or someone who knew what it was all about.  I am from Romania, I have never found a post about such a thing in my native language, but I have now found it in English.  I am now 24 years old and I have been facing this "mental illness" for 17 years….  my husband the first time he saw my reaction when I came out of the shower, I could see in his eyes that he thought I was crazy, I had a crisis, I was shouting "aaaa" "hand cream now" but he did not understand.  He later understood that I had explained to him how uncomfortable it could be, how horrible it could feel.  once it was my birthday and I went to someone's house, and that person didn't have lotion, but he had some car oil and I said yes, I want, because I can't stand it anymore, I really needed some cream on my hands, no  I didn't care that it was for cars.  another "funny terrifying" experience is when I went to the pool and forgot my hand cream, my girlfriend had deodorant spray, I sprayed it on her hands, it didn't work at all, until I found the bathroom and  they had liquid soap, I put the liquid soap on my hands without washing, only the liquid soap without water.
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5 Comments
from the age of 7 I remember that this happened to me.  I licked my hands, when I was at school and I didn't have hand cream, I applied liquid soap to my hands because it was a different sensation than the one of complete dryness.  I like to go to the water, to the sea, but the problem is that the fup that comes out of the water makes me vomit because I have more dry hair, I apply the cream more instantly, the problem is that I clench my fists and I can't  I open it until I'm done with hand cream.  I tried to unwind, I tried to torment myself and not use the cream, but it was in vain, I did not last more than 3 minutes.  I really wish there was a remedy or someone who knew what it was all about.  I am from Romania, I have never found a post about such a thing in my native language, but I have now found it in English.  I am now 24 years old and I have been facing this "mental illness" for 17 years….  my husband the first time he saw my reaction when I came out of the shower, I could see in his eyes that he thought I was crazy, I had a crisis, I was shouting "aaaa" "hand cream now" but he did not understand.  He later understood that I had explained to him how uncomfortable it could be, how horrible it could feel.  once it was my birthday and I went to someone's house, and that person didn't have lotion, but he had some car oil and I said yes, I want, because I can't stand it anymore, I really needed some cream on my hands, no  I didn't care that it was for cars.  another "funny terrifying" experience is when I went to the pool and forgot my hand cream, my girlfriend had deodorant spray, I sprayed it on her hands, it didn't work at all, until I found the bathroom and  they had liquid soap, I put the liquid soap on my hands without washing, only the liquid soap without water.
experience is when I went to the pool and forgot my hand cream, my girlfriend had deodorant spray, I sprayed it on her hands, it didn't work at all, until I found the bathroom and  they had liquid soap, I put the liquid soap on my hands without washing, only the liquid soap without water.
Ahahah, I'm sorry it's not funny but looking back on it, it is a little! I think everyone on this post can relate. We have all forgot our lotions or hand creams at some point and just had a panic attack after getting out of the pool/shower! I've looked for many substitutes as well, deodorant has been a desperate go to of mine if I had absolutely nothing else. You are not alone! Thank you for sharing your experience, and if anyone is reading this know there are others out there that share these problems with you. We stay strong together. :)
I recently went on a trip and forgot to bring lotion. I used chapstick after I washed my hands. I honestly used to just not wash my hands if I couldn't use lotion. We sure do get creative. I've used tree sap, snow, deodorant, soap, sunscreen, etc..
hmmmingbird, ERP would tell you to not put lotion on? Most people often have a dry feeling after washing their hands. I think that you can't tolerate it may be a sensory issue more than an ocd issue. Ocd is about obsession and ritual.
Avatar universal
Hi Dylan, I am so glad you posted this question. It has brought so many helpful responses. I felt alone with this and I am so relieved (and very surprised) that there are others that share the same compulsion. Thank you.
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Hi there.  Dylan has not been here for a while but I have a suggestion for you. Have you ever read about sensory integration or processing disorder? It's neurologically  based. Basically the nerve endings misread/send faulty messages to the brain.  It's when something that other people don't have difficulty with, you have huge sensitivity to it.  My son has this and has tactile sensitivity.  How did we first know?  When he was young, washing hands led to a fight or flight response. Do things like sock seams bother you? Are you a picky eater with certain textures really bother you? How are your fine motor skills? That could be off base but if it is something you look into and you do have it, there is something called the brushing method that helped my son.  IF it is ocd (defined as needing to do something or avoid something because of the obsessive thought), then there is treatment for this. ERP therapy. It's easy enough to work through on one hand of . . . using less irritating soap when washing and then lotion. However, if it is interfering with you and bugging you, talk to a therapist that specializes in ocd/erp.  It may be life changing.  :>)
Hi specialmom, I come and go. I made this post years ago but still get email updates from posts/private messages from people. It's so heart warming seeing so many other people sharing the same issue, and I hope we all manage it properly and continue to have a happy life. Thank you for helping others here, and responding to them while I've been gone.
Avatar universal
So I’m just here to share my experience. I struggle with these same problems mentally every day. I put lotion on my hands and feet every day. Usually my hands at least 3 times a day. I can’t handle my hands being dry and I wear socks all of the time except for the shower. When I was still in school or at work and forgot to bring my lotion with me, I would suffer all day and struggle to focus. I would get chills up and down my spine when I focused on my discomfort and I would want to cry. I don’t understand what causes my dislike for dry hands and feet or what to call it but reading all of these comments have helped me not feel so unusual for having it. Thank you.
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It's really very common to apply lotion a lot, especially in very dry winter or crisp weather.  If you work outside in your yard your fingers will be filled with small cuts even if you wear the kind of gloves most people wear, which shows that hands do get dry.  So do feet, as they rub against socks and shoes all day and also get dry.  That part isn't OCD, it's done because we've invented these lotions and so we use them.  How good the lotion you use has something to do with how long it protects you, and if you don't consume a good amount of essential fatty acids ( the good ones) in your diet you will also dry out.  The more you use lotion, the more you're skin will feel dry without it, so once you start doing this you will continue to do this forever.  The OCD part if you have it would be if you don't actually have dry hands and still are using lotion.  If you get that anxious about it, you have an anxiety problem and this is probably not the only way it's manifesting and so that's the problem you need to fix, possibly with therapy if it's that bad, but your hands and feet are in fact getting dry unless you live in the tropics.
Avatar universal
I don't have ocd but my palms also feel extremely dry regularly. It seems to effect my breathing and if i touch something soft or silky and warm, even my own skin, I feel like all the moisture has gone from my body and it somehow prevents me from breathing. I dont get goosebumps or have any irrational fear, I just have a sudden need for moisture that I cannot explain. I find it happens when I go to bed mostly where I reach for the cool side of the pillow of under my armpits. I literally have to lick my fingers to calm the feeling. It doesn't happen all the time and I wonder whether I don't drink enough water, buts it's always been there and I've never been able to explain it. It can sometimes happen during the day randomly, while talking to my wife for e.g. and she finds it very weird/amusing that I suddenly have to touch my toungue like I'm flicking through the pages of a book.
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I honestly thought I was alone with this! You explained how I feel to a tee. If lotion is not readily available after my hands or feet get wet then I will avoid them getting wet. It actually makes me light headed if I accidentally touch something rough such as certain fabrics before letting the lotion soak in. I also get extreme chills just thinking about it. It’s so nice to see there are others and I’m not alone.
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I genuinely almost cried reading this thread because I've suffered from this for 14 years. When I was little my parents told me I used to constantly spit on my hands and rub it in (obviously quite gross). My stepmum suggested hand cream a few years into this problem and it has developed into a strong OCD compulsion. It always has to be the exact same hand cream and I reapply once every few minutes or sometimes even more, meaning I go through 2+ tubes a week. I never leave the house or even the room without it, all my electronics break because they get clogged with cream and I can't use paper or touch a lot of other dry things. I wasn't officially diagnosed until I was about 15 (I'm almost 22 now) and was rediagnosed last week by a mental health charity as I've decided to start seeking help. My obsessions are more of a general anxiety than something specific so it's been really hard to fight against. My OCD has become so normal for me that it takes big things to get me to notice, like the handcream I use becoming unavailable at one point due to covid shipping issues or computers breaking from cream etc. My issues always seemed so specific and niche so seeing this is just crazy. Lots of love to you all and my deepest sadness for anyone going through the same because I know how awful it can get.
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Hi guys! I am glad you are all here. I have been searching for answers for this my whole life and my partner just stumbled on this forum. Literally everything posted here is spot on. I have had this since I was little. Clenched fists after shower, spat on my feet before I could put socks on (before I discovered lotion) avoided washing my hands because I didn’t have lotion... the dry things touching teeth... gah! i’ve got goosebumps just thinking about it and rub my teeth to make the feeling go away.... I know I’m not alone because my sister has the same problem with lotion on hands / feet especially after getting them wet. I worked as a dishwasher and cashier at the same time and unfortunately spat on my hands so much which I know is so gross but I can’t help it. This is real. My sister and I didn’t grow up together but we both still have the same lotion thing. I just want to say to anyone reading this you are not alone. I’ve had this for as long as I can remember. I’m wondering if certain sounds bother anyone too. For me, when a napkin touches a plate it bothers me so much and makes my skin crawl. It’s the same feeling I get when I touch certain things like paper without lotion or even if someone tries to hold my hand when I haven’t had lotion... This is so validating to know others struggle too.
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I can't believe I found others like me. As described, it's definitely like nails on a chalkboard for me, if I can't immediately slather lotion on my hands after washing...and terry cloth towels, ugh! I have had OCD as long as I can remember, but my compulsions have transformed or morphed from one to another. I have suffered from contamination OCD, which lead to excessive hand washing. When I was younger, I obviously didn't have the 'dry hands' version, since lotioning up was counterproductive to my obsessive handwashing rituals which dominated (despite dry, cracking, bleeding hands). I also suffered from emetophobia for MANY years, hence obsessive hand washing. At least over time the latter two abated, however,  morphed into this other equally intense compulsion. The age of three was mentioned above. I lost my mom to breast cancer when I was three, so safe to say that triggered a lot of my OCD and changed the circuits in my brain. However, over time, I noticed signs of OCD in close family members, so def a genetic factor. None of theirs seems to be like mine, more like hoarding etc. I commiserate with you all, nice to know I'm not alone, but I do wish us all relief.

Oh my, how is this for comic relief: as I was typing this before bed, I got my moisterized hands to a content level, but randomly a stink bug, snuck up (inside house) and doused me with its stink (I've had plenty of these bugs break into my home, but none were so bold to release their weapon). Very long story short, I just had to thoroughly scrub down my hands (cringe) and get the lotion balance right again
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Avatar universal
I am the exact same way, but I will only use one certain brand of lotion, and if I don’t have it, I have an absolute conniption. I don’t know how to fix this compulsive behavior either, but it has been ongoing for as long as I can remember. I have to have my lotion right after a shower or right after I wash my hands. I used to never even touch towels and I would cringe when I had to pick up a piece of paper. For the longest time I thought it was just a weird thing that only I experienced, im glad I’m not the only one.
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I guess I'd say, if this is your only obsession it's not a terrible one.  People have all kinds of habits.  The only downside would be if you're using a product that doesn't have healthful ingredients, as many are not very good for you.  I put on lip balm all the time.  I just don't worry about it.  It's just me.  The fact is, though, soap is drying, and lots of people apply lotion after a shower.  It's not actually a bad idea.
Look up sensory integration disorder.  My son has this and wet hands causing extreme distress was an early sign. Everyone has sensory reactions that can be unpleasant but for him, he had fight or flight reactions.  Literally melted down.  Basically his nervous system sends faulty messages.  Water is a common one.  Let me know if you'd like more information,
Avatar universal
I have this too! All of my life. I started using my mum's Sorbolene hand cream when I was 5 and have never been able to stop. My older sister who is 15 years older than me says she had it too, but it went away because she never had moisturiser around and relied on saliva to keep her hands hydrated. It's nice to know there are others out there. I'm now 24 and I have finished countless bottles of all types of moisturiser. Worst period of time was moving from Australia to the UK and not being able to find an adequate replacement. I could barely sleep at night. Interestingly, when I take Lysergic acid diethylamide, I unconsciously put cream on but realise I don't need it anymore, and that my dryness has gone. Sadly that is an affect that cannot last!
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