Recent piercing

I just got a piercing 2 days ago and i may have to go to the mikvah in the next 2 weeks but the piercing isnt supposed to be taken out for at least 6-8 weeks after, my questions is,is there any way possible i can go to the mikvah with the ring still in ?since it would hurt to take it out and put it back in and it can cause infections especially when exposing it to water right after.
thank you for your time



Dear questioner,

Thank you for your question.

The ideal is to remove any piercing or body ring prior to immersion.  However, in this case, where you will keep the piercing in for a lengthy interval and its removal could lead to pain or even infection, immersing with it would be permitted.

If there is any safe way to loosen the piercing (so that it is not flush against the skin in front of or behind the hole) without removing it, that would be preferred.

Please discuss this ruling with your mikveh attendant in advance, to mitigate any potential discomfort at the mikveh.  You can explain that you have permission to immerse in this fashion from R. Yehuda Henkin, our site's rabbinic supervisor.

This internet service does not preclude, override or replace the psak of any rabbinical authority. It is the responsibility of the questioner to inform us of any previous consultation or ruling. As even slight variation in circumstances may have Halachic consequences, views expressed concerning one case may not be applied to other, seemingly similar cases.

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