Hand washing hypothermia physically possible?

Hello, everyone really embarrassed to make this post (24m) I’ve been battling a bad battle with ocd for the last two weeks. I’ve been excessively washing my hands for long periods of time sometimes 15-20 mins continuously with sometimes cold but not freezing water. I’m a bit better lately tho using only lukewarm as I’m constantly paranoid I could give myself hypothermia I’ve even been to hospital two times because of this thinking it would happen. Every hour I’m washing my hands so much making sure all soap is gone and my hands are completely dry. I’m not sure how to get over this and I keep thinking this could cause hypothermia am I crazy. Last night I got paranoid again cause I brushed my teeth and then washed my hands with soap once for almost 5 mins and then again repeating staying in washroom. Can someone reassure me this won’t cause hypothermia as I keep thinking it’s physically possible. Sometimes I shiver down my back and I’ve started to realize it’s mostly stress, but I know I need help and I have had counselling.

Posted Jun 29, 2026, 11:34 PM UTC

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