please don't make fun of me for this dumb question about egg germs

[lcammack]

I think that the saying everything in moderation works for this topic. We are unable to stay away from germs, they are everywhere and on everything. We can only control what is ours (home, car, etc.) I see no issues with cleaning the door handle (but maybe once a day) when I think about what might have been deposited on our door handle by the end of a day I can assure you I want to clean it (badly). I think as long as no one in your home has a compromised immune system it will all be fine. I agree with everyone here, we need germs. Our bodies are meant to fight them and without them every time anything new came around we would be sick. I think as long as you and your family wash their hands during the day with good old fashioned soap and water you will all be fine. It would be a pretty horrible existence if we all lived in bubbles, and that would be about the only way we would never come into contact with germs! Best of Luck, I think you are doing great and its awesome that you are going through this for your kids!

 

[runsw/scissors]

ok here's my scenario (because I'm obviously still obsessing over this. lol)

dh picks up eggs and then touches the door handle
later on someone goes and gets the mail. Touches the same door handle, then touches the mail.
So now is everyone who touches the mail getting chicken egg germs on their hands? See what I mean? Obviously this can't be a big deal or anyone who goes out in public would possibly be getting sick-especially in a farming community like ours. I keep telling myself that but I don't always listen.

Also dh just came in the house (no idea what he's been doing but he has not been gathering eggs this time-but we have cattle too) and opened some of the mail and used the phone. So now I have this irrational urge to clean the phone and the mail. Craziness.

 

[SouthernBYChickens]

ok here's my scenario (because I'm obviously still obsessing over this. lol)
dh picks up eggs and then touches the door handle
later on someone goes and gets the mail. Touches the same door handle, then touches the mail.
So now is everyone who touches the mail getting chicken egg germs on their hands? See what I mean? Obviously this can't be a big deal or anyone who goes out in public would possibly be getting sick-especially in a farming community like ours. I keep telling myself that but I don't always listen.
Also dh just came in the house (no idea what he's been doing but he has not been gathering eggs this time-but we have cattle too) and opened some of the mail and used the phone. So now I have this irrational urge to clean the phone and the mail. Craziness.

Gale - I want to say something to you and please understand, I mean absolutely nothing derogatory towards you and your OCD. Your scenario above is exactly the same things I have gone through "mentally" for years. This is what I want to say to you: Have you ever sought help for your OCD? There are many different medications out there that may help alleviate your worries some. Please don't take me the wrong way. It is just that I totally understand you and totally understand your scenario above. I feel for you and hope that you can find peace in the future and enjoy things in life such as "raising chickens". I wish you well!!!

 

[SouthernBYChickens]

Yes, people do indeed get sick from eating eggs/chicken that do not adhere to good husbandry (salmonella? E-coli? Botulism?) Just because you don't hear much about it, does not necessarily mean it does not occur, or in recordable circumstances. Nor does it occur simply because of a cut hand or eating chicken poop . And most certainly, there is no link that is occurs to people with particular illnesses/weaknesses/concerns eg OCD vs people who do not.

Well, I guess I did over simplify or understate the number of illnesses caused by chickens and/or raising chickens. I guess I just meant that I really have never known of anyone personally that has had a serious illness from it. So, please don't take me as thinking I know everyone and I guess I just over generalized (majorly). Sorry

 

[gale65]

Gale - I want to say something to you and please understand, I mean absolutely nothing derogatory towards you and your OCD.  Your scenario above is exactly the same things I have gone through "mentally" for years.  This is what I want to say to you:  Have you ever sought help for your OCD?  There are many different medications out there that may help alleviate your worries some.  Please don't take me the wrong way.  It is just that I totally understand you and totally understand your scenario above.  I feel for you and hope that you can find peace in the future and enjoy things in life such as "raising chickens".  I wish you well!!!

 

I have been diagnosed but don't have a therapist right now. I was prescribed lexapro by my gyn but decided it wasn't worth the side effects. I know every med will have side effects though but that's another thing I worry about. I am obsessive about my weight and am scared to death that something I take will cause me to gain weight (and I'm not skinny either but only about 5 lbs overweight right now). I've been thinking about finding a therapist as I don't think my gyn is as knowledgeable as I'd like about this. But it isn't covered by insurance and dh doesn't think I need it.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

ok here's my scenario (because I'm obviously still obsessing over this. lol)

dh picks up eggs and then touches the door handle
later on someone goes and gets the mail. Touches the same door handle, then touches the mail.
So now is everyone who touches the mail getting chicken egg germs on their hands? See what I mean? Obviously this can't be a big deal or anyone who goes out in public would possibly be getting sick-especially in a farming community like ours. I keep telling myself that but I don't always listen.

Also dh just came in the house (no idea what he's been doing but he has not been gathering eggs this time-but we have cattle too) and opened some of the mail and used the phone. So now I have this irrational urge to clean the phone and the mail. Craziness.

I do consider handwashing important in my house, as my DH is a cancer survivor with a compromised immune system. When we come in after handling chickens, hands do get washed immediately. Hands get washed after handling mail, money, etc. also.

We actually change our clothes after going out to stores. We take a shower after picking up chickens. So I don't think you are off mark at all. But I would just consider the mail and the doorknob dirty and not try to keep any of it clean. What I do is open all the mail and toss the envelopes so that at least when my DH handles the mail it isn't the germy outer envelope. Quite frankly I think of the mail as dirtier than the chicken eggs.

But in terms of chicken germs, we automatically think that hands should be washed after handling eggs. I think that is a healthy attitude to have. But my opinion is that your mail and doorknobs are also dirty. So it is good to just wash hands when coming in the house from outside, and that is what we do.

So all you get from me is support!!! I too have the cracked "mechanic's hands" and it can be painful to wash up. Those alcohol sanitizers are absolute misery.

 

[jeslewmazer]

I would just like to add. Maybe instead of sanitize wipes use the disposable hand towels. Since you DH has a problem with the sanitized wipes (burning/stinging/etc.) the plain towels should keep the door handle clean and he can wash his hands when he gets inside. "Normal" is a state of mind. When I was growing up I was taught to help my low self-esteem to think more like: "I am the only normal one and everyone else is weird!" , that was mentally helpful and helped to boost self-esteem. But, everybody is 'normal' in their own way. To attempt to overcome your anxiety and ocd is very courageous. You are not asking for pity, just understanding. Bravo!!

 

[iluvsedward]

My mom makes me wash the eggs, but I could care less, I mean thats what the shells are there for, its not like we eat the shells.

lol

 

[CarolJ]

My husband and I aren't fanatical - just careful. We started being extra careful several years ago when we were forced to because a family member had a severely compromised immune system. We have been so healthy since then - no colds, flu or other contagious illnesses - that we've continued these habits.

I wash my hands many times a day, I wash every single egg - gently, no scrubbing - with a natural anti-bacterial solution - rinse well, pat dry and immediately place in the refrigerator. The eggs are delicious and no harm is done by the cleaning. "Bloom" is highly over-rated, IMO, unless you plan to keep eggs longer than a few weeks - which we never do. We regularly sanitize door & cabinet knobs, cell phones, toilet handles, kitchen counters, etc. I keep hand sanitizer in my purse - and we use it after shaking hands or touching shopping carts, etc. We don't make a big deal out of it - it's just what we discreetly do.

I have a pair of "chicken barn" shoes that I keep by the back door - put 'em on when I walk out the door, take 'em off when I come back in. I have ear loop masks in a box inside the chicken barn which I put on anytime I plan to do any work in there. Chickens create a lot of dust - and I don't want to breathe it in.

Those are the habits that make me feel comfortable - and they're no big deal.

By the way - the poster who said that most germs are spread indoors is right. Your yard - and the outdoors in general - really is the healthiest place to be.

 

[9Catsz]

I think it's a good idea to wash hands with basic soap and water after handling anything dirty but hand sanitizers are unsafe for us, the animals and our enviroment because they cause the germs to become resistant and grow stronger. Stay away from any soaps that contain triclosan.
I don't wash my eggs unless they look dirty or poopy and then just before useing them. If I am going to use the eggs in egg nog or some other way they won't be cooked I'll wash them first whether I see dirt on them or not.

Good hand washing is what is needed in this case. You're never, ever going to get rid of every germ on every surface in your home so hand washing is the only way to go.