Toenail injury - Nishmat Yoatzot Halacha

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Toenail injury

November 18, 2015

Question

I am supposed to go to the mikvah tonight and this morning I kicked my toe into something. The nail appears to be coming off there was a lot of blood. I have covered it with a bandaid and it is still painful. Can I still go to the mikvah tonight? No idea what it will look like when I try to take off the bandaid.
Thanks for your help.

Answer

Yes, you may immerse tonight so long as you remove the bandaid and ensure your toe is clean (as by soaking it) prior to immersion. Even if part of the nail is detached, you need not remove it for immersion. You can trim off excess at the top of the toenail (as you usually would) — but only to the extent you can do so safely, without causing pain. Please do not even attempt to trim any of the nail if it will cause pain or force the nail off.

Refuah sheleimah!