Peeling lips & yom tov tevilah - Nishmat Yoatzot Halacha

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Peeling lips & yom tov tevilah

May 22, 2009

Question

It looks like I will need to go to the mikvah on the second night of Shavuot which is also Friday night. I understand that I do the chafifah erev yom tov and try to avoid chatzitzot until I have been to the mikvah. My concern is that my lips are always peeling, and I can't bite off the parts hanging off on yom tov. Is that considered a chatzitzah? If I have peeling lips will I not be able to go to the mikvah Friday night?

Answer

Normally, one should try to remove peeling skin on the lips before immersion. If it is painful to remove, it is sufficient to soften the skin with warm water. Since you will be immersing at a time when it is impossible to remove the flakes, you should take care to soften the skin well. You can also gently spread oil on your lips during the first day of yom tov to keep them from peeling excessively.

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