Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: OCDSufferer on 19/10/2012 13:29:51
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Hi
i have suffered from "Contamination" OCD for 25 years. I have some questions:
When I am having a bad OCD day I fill the bath with water adding 2 bottles of household bleach and submerge my body, hair and face (inc. up my nose and in my ears) each for 15mins. At the same time pouring neat bleach, at 15min intervals, on my hands for an hour ie;
Hands 15mins
Hands and body 15mins
Hands and hair 15mins
Hands and face 15mins
What is the minimum time I could do this for and the minimum amount of bleach required to kill all contaminants?
I know the bleach is doing harm. Since I have been doing this for over 4 years it has broken off my long hair and left it short and thin, it burns my skin, and my nails have stopped growing but is there any scientific benefit to using bleach as described?
What other harm may it be doing? I have at least 3 a week.
Is there an alternative I could use in the bath which would have the same contaminant killing effect as the bleach?
When my OCD is not too bad I shower using Dermol and leave on my skin and hair for 10 mins is this as effective as using bleach?
I used to use neat disinfectant before I began using bleach on my skin. Is disinfectant more effective than bleach?
Also
I put my clothes through a wash 4 times before I feel they are contaminant free would once be enough? I use 2 scoops of Persil and 2 scoops of Vamish Extra Hygiene in every wash.
Do pre treaters in washing powder kill continants or just clean away dirt?
When you take a shower does the water cause contaminants on your body to stick to the walls? If this is the case when you are clean does the water cause contaminants on the walls to again stick to your body?
The same applies to putting dirty washing in the machine and it touching the outside and taking clean washing out and it touching the outside again?
What is the best contaminant killing cleaner to use around the home especially on metals and how long should you leave the cleaner in contact for it to work?
I am on prescribed medication and attend hospital but it only helps to a degree.
To anyone who can help. A big thank you in advance.
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... is there any scientific benefit to using bleach as described?
What other harm may it be doing? ...
Is there an alternative I could use in the bath which would have the same contaminant killing effect as the bleach?
Using household bleach on your skin is only doing you harm.
Household bleach is corrosive (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrosive_substance) and will damage your skin, making you more likely to have a skin infection, not less.
If you must perform this washing ritual use I’d suggest you only use products designed for that purpose, maybe antibacterial soap, (although regular soap is sufficient).
Having your skin wet for very long periods also damages it. Being submerged in a normal bath literally for hours is counter-productive ...
maceration (ma·s·rāˑ·shn),
n the process in which the skin is softened and broken down by extended exposure to wetness or moisture
People have been known to go without washing for days without any ill effects, ( apart for hindering their social life [:)]). No disaster will occur if you do not perform the washing ritual.
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I think it is important that you can recognize your issues, and can deal with them, potentially trying to resist your urges.
What are some of your triggers?
There is what is called "flora" on the skin. This would include bacteria and yeasts that are normal on your skin. If you get them out of balance, you can actually have worse infections.
You can effectively fight lice and related organisms with a fine tooth comb and plain soap.
Personally I don't like the feel or smell of bleach on my skin, although occasionally getting some on the skin doesn't seem to be a problem. Very low doses of bleach, for example a tablespoon of normal household bleach in a bathtub probably won't be harmful, other than potentially damaging the normal skin flora.