Scrupulous handwashing
The second most commonly known compulsion is scrupulous handwashing, but obsessive-compulsive individuals do not only wash their hands excessively, but they may do the same thing with their grooming while taking a bath or tooth brushing. All of these activities become a repetitive ritual, and they take a very long time cleaning themselves until they are satisfied.
Excessive washing includes not only removing dirt but also a repeated behaviour, cleaning each finger individually and sometimes with various tools, paying close attention to details on their fingernails, and even ending up with red of bleeding hands when they finish washing. Their showering is also a long ritual consisting of repetitive cleaning in the same areas over and over again.
In trying to maintain their hands off dirt, they would also use extra measures to keep away from contamination, such as maintaining tissues around to open and close doors, wearing gloves while interacting with other people and avoiding certain places out of the fear of being in contact with too many contaminants.
