Can a child wash their hands too much?

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   mdawson17posted 15 years ago

   I have children and everyone of them went through the stage of always wanting their hands in the water! I have had Doctor's tell me that it is a very bad thing to allow your children to compulsively wash their hands do you feel that is true or not? My feelings were always as long as they are inspired to keep clean than it was not going to hurt them and if their little hands were getting dry we would put lotion on them! As a parent what do you think!

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      Catlynposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      As long as they wash before meals, after using the toilet (and that might be numerous times), and obviously, after playing outdoors and getting dirty, I don't think kids can wash their hands too much.  Probably it is more the other way around.  I taught my kids to wash their hands while singing "Happy Birthday to you,"  as a means of making sure they were spending sufficient time lathering the soap too!

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         mdawson17posted 15 years agoin reply to this

         tHAT IS A VERY GOOD IDEA i HAVE A TWO YEAR OLD THAT ALREADY SINGS HAPPY BIRTHDAY SO THIS MIGHT WORK FOR MY BABY i WILL HAVE TO TRY IT!!  THANKS

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   Davinagirl3posted 15 years ago

   It is possible to wash hands too much.  You will notice the skin drying out on their hands.  I am a compulsive hand washer, and my hands look like an 80 year old woman's.  If your children like to wash their hands alot, make sure you have moisturizing hand wash.

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      mdawson17posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      THANK YOU

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      blondepoetposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Wow Davina it is hard to imagine that your hands are like a prune, ROFL.

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         Davinagirl3posted 15 years agoin reply to this

         It's true.  I have to over moisturize or they crack and bleed.  So, I know, first hand, you can wash your hands too much.

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            Catlynposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            It could actually be the type of soap you use that is the culprit.  Or you could have a skin condition known that needs dermatologist attention

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               Davinagirl3posted 15 years agoin reply to this

               You are probably right.  I have contact dermatitis, but it has never shown up on my hands until about 4 months ago.  I have tried different soaps and moisturizers, but nothing works.  I wash my hands like 20+ times a day, though.  I can't help it.  I do it out of habit.

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                  Catlynposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                  I had a similar condition on my hands and found out it was a stress-related condition.  I had to use a strong steroid cream, along with a heavy duty moisture cream and wear cotton gloves.  It took quite a while to clear it up and it prone to flair-ups when my hands were unprotected in water.

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                     AsherKadeposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                     I know my older son can't wash his hands enough....(groan)

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                  Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                  just     stop    it
                  
                  I am serious. I am scaling down on my soap usage significantly, and seeing my skin improving along the way

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   kmackey32posted 15 years ago

   LOL my son is the same way...

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      mdawson17posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      My 2 year old daughter throws a fit if you take her from the sink after washing her hands! She could stay there for an hour if we let her!!

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         Jane@CMposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         She is two!  Goes with the territory.  My oldest loved playing in the water, so washing hands was fun & she wanted to continue to stay and play.  2nd child....couldn't get out of the bathtub, but he hated washing his hands (still does).

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   relacheposted 15 years ago

   People overuse anti-bacterial and otherwise chemicalized soaps.  They ruin the skin's own protective and nurturing bacteria and strip off too many oils.
   
   BTW, in answer to the OP's question, yes, you can wash your hands too much.  It's one of the main symptoms of the more debilitating levels of obsessive compulsive disorder.  The person will wash their hands so much, they can't function in their daily lives and their hands become physically damaged by it.

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      Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      LOL Relache, both my younger kids spent half a day in the sink when they were around 2. I guess it is just a development stage.

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   Lisa HWposted 15 years ago

   With children, I'd pay more attention to whether or not it seemed like behavior associated with OCD than to how much their hands were in water or even how much soap they used.   Water alone doesn't usually do much (unless it's cold out or unless someone uses a scratchy towel to dry their hands).  Soap can be changed.
   
   I'd look up a reputable source that describes Obsessive Compulsive Behavior (particularly handwashing) and judge from there whether I thought my child was leaning in that direction.   What would be considered "normal" can depend on the child's age too.  That's something else I'd factor in.

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   Lady_Eposted 15 years ago

   No, its a good habit to get into. Its so easy to pick up germs.

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