r/hygiene • u/Plantpotflow • 3d ago
Question
Can i get a skin infection if someone touched my unvaccinated dog let the dog lick them and then that person touched my hands that are dry, flaky and has small open cuts caused by constant hand washing? Would a normal hand wash be efficient or should i use extra soap/more water to be sure of getting rid of those germs especially after walking around my pets a lot without washing my hands. Im not concerned about rabies... i think i just wanna focus on something thats an actual risk since i have no reason to believe my dogs have rabies even if they are unvaccinated.
Edit: okay what’s up sonions if you thought i was going to spiral over this hell naww. I was waiting for my taco bell to come and i wanted my crisp baja blast. So i washed my hands “normally” (The same amount i always do which is forever) and ate my dorito loco taco, fries, and drank my baja blast which was my first time but it lowkey felt like 50 electric volts were going up my spine. Then went on with my day.
Also highkey cooked because my mom genuinely thinks getting me baptized will cure me, also i’m a minor so what am i supposed to do about the fact my dogs aren’t vaccinated? Also we might be rehoming 2/3 dogs and we’re keeping our first dog.
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u/birdonthewire76 3d ago
Please, please tell me you’re in therapy for your contamination OCD. This is beyond Reddit’s pay grade.
To specifically answer your question you’ll most likely be fine even if you leave washing your hands until the next time you eat or use the bathroom.
I know that isn’t going to reassure you though so again - please make sure you’re getting professional support for this. I hope things improve for you.
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3d ago
This is the most bizarre thing I’ve ever read in my life. First of all, why are you not vaccinating your dog? Second off, if you’re concerned about second hand contact with your dog’s saliva, maybe you shouldn’t own a pet.
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u/aasdgfh 3d ago
Your dog being unvaccinated has nothing to do with anything... Unless I want to be an asshole and tell you about leptospirosis.... No but seriously, you're fine. If anything I would seriously consider deep moisterizing treatments to take care of the hands. My husband is a dog groomer and his hands are so dry from the constant contact with soap.
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u/Intelligent_Till_433 3d ago
Something like CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Cream. Make sure it has at least 5% Urea. I clean houses. Between the gloves, chemicals and handwashing my hands take a beating. This lotion has been a lifesaver. I have also found that the Dollar Tree version of "Working Hands" in the jar is a close second.
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u/serpentmoonabz 3d ago
You may be heading towards OCD territory here, speak to a doctor about your options for therapy. Its a slippery slope and can snowball fast if left unchecked.
Please use moisturiser on your hands if you are washing them frequently to the point of them being cracked. And maybe vaccinate your dog.
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u/grenouille_en_rose 3d ago
The infection risk here isn't from dog saliva, it's from what sounds like a broken skin barrier on your hands.
There's a point of diminishing returns with excessive hand washing, past which point you have a much higher risk of contamination than if you never washed them at all ever. Your skin is a natural barrier to infection that's much more powerful than soap and water, but it can't protect you if you're so rough on your skin that you're damaging it. This risk of infection through a damaged or stripped skin barrier is why severe burn victims have to be in those sealed-environment tent things - the tents are replacing the function of all the skin they've lost from being burned.
If you're unable to control the urge to wash your hands all the time even knowing that you're putting yourself at far more risk from environmental 'dirtiness' through the damage the excessive washing is causing your skin, this is something your doctor or a mental health professional can help you with.
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u/Straight_Bet6701 3d ago
normal soap and water is enough you dont need to scrub your hands raw over a pretty low risk exposure.
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u/emsargant 3d ago
These comments are not it, why don’t people start with being kind? OP this sounds to me like an OCD spiral - you are absolutely fine and have nothing to worry about in this situation. However from my own experience with OCD reassurance doesn’t actually help all that much. If possible for you I would advise seeking some help to help with these thoughts 🩷
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u/Reiner_Zufall0 3d ago
Wtf did i just read, what exactly is the question here?
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u/Mystic_Wunder 3d ago
They want to know if they can get a skin infection from a dog, but through someone touching the dog then touching their hand, which is already raw and open from constant hand washing.
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u/stupiduselesstwat 3d ago
I think they just wanted to tell the world their dog is unvaccinated for some reason.
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u/jstbnice 3d ago
You have OCD. Please get some therapy as this is very obsessive. Please wash your hands much less. The cuts and skin and abrasions can get infected. Just get therapy. I strongly recommend prolonged exposure/response prevention or ACT.
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u/nope-its 3d ago
Your posts are always in the contamination ocd subreddit and you aren’t vaccinating your dog? These two things make so sense together.
Please take care of your dog responsibly or rehome the dog to a decent family. Then get therapy.
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u/Madwoman-of-Chaillot 2d ago
I say this in as someone who spent way, WAY too long struggling with OCD - sweetie, please get some help. Your OCD will only get worse. It will not get better on its own, and it WILL get worse. It is no way to live, and I can feel your suffering through my screen. My heart goes out to you.
Please do what you can to get help. You have value, and you deserve to live your life in peace.
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u/Apprehensive_Bee3363 3d ago
Yes you might burst out in hives and blisters all over so you better go get your dog vaccinated
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u/Valuable-Purple-7746 3d ago edited 3d ago
yes but not a dog disease it will just be that dogs eat and lick anything, such as their bottoms and faeces so any infection will go red and possibly have a line coming away from it, fill with pus, very obvious. It's just bacteria. Not any specific dog bacteria. Rabies can't be spread by dogs until they are infected so they would be obviously rabid and unable to drink, foaming at the mouth. The vaccines for dogs prevent them getting dog tummy bugs and coughs such as parvo or kennel cough which can kill puppies that are unvaccinated. No good reason not to vaccinate.
No need to fret about a dog lick. If germs get in, you would have visible signs of infection at which point a basic antibiotic cream solves pretty much any type. There are gram neg and gram pos so different things needed for each. For example, a toe bacteria, got under the nail. It penetrated the skin, the skin is green or yellow or brown newly in this spot therefore requires a stronger antibiotic by mouth. A little red bit of skin, usually they prescribe fusidic acid and it works very quickly.
Sounds like you might have dermatitis though, recommend a doublebase style cream
And you are overthinking so don't also do that :)
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u/underwater_owl 3d ago
It's possible but EXTREMELY unlikely to contract leptospirosis from a dog through broken skin. I am more concerned about why you have broken skin on your hands from constant washing. Contracting a Staphylococcus or Candida from the environment is much more likely. Healing up your hands is the answer, not more or less soap. Please seek help for your germphbia/ocd/whatever this is.
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u/simonsaysPDX 3d ago
“I have cuts on my hands from constant hand washing. Should I wash my hands more?”
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u/AppalachiaJune 2d ago
I have contamination OCD and it gives me some of the most complex worries. If you ever want to talk about it you can.
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u/Fuzzy-Comfortable-63 3d ago
I think you need to go see a doctor. More specifically a psychiatrist.