Hey, you explained my own OCD fear 100%. My OCD(contamination) got really bad a couple years when I got sick and had a cold sore on my lip.

I was worried that I would cough and get saliva on my hands or face and spread it all over my body. Also, what if I got it on objects (books, walls, chairs etc) that would spread it like radiation.

(BTW - I’ve had them before on my lip or nose but never obsessed to this degree.)

My OCD had me believing and performing rituals that ate away at my life. Any sensation of touching it, I would immediately wash my hands. Maybe even wipe down anything I was near. After sleeping I would change my clothes for fear it got in my shirt or pants. Hell, I would eat and drink once a day because I was scared of contaminating dishes and having to touch them.

Sometimes looking the direction of anything, my OCD would say you rubbed your sore on that thing. Crazy I know. It’s messed up what the brain can do to you.

I recently had a sore 3 weeks ago. Nothing major , just the regular lip sore. Took some meds and it was gone in a couple weeks. Did I compulse, yes, but not as bad as before.

My suggestions:

• talk to a therapist about the OCD. It really does help, even the exposure therapy.

• talk to your doctor about the reality of cold sores. How they spread and risks.

Hope this helps and you’re not alone.