Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Peeling skin & fungus in nails

9 March, 2004

Question:

The question is about nails and the skin around the nails as a chatzizah.
I understood that if there is a piece of one of them that pops up it is considers a chatzizah.
I wanted to ask to what extent should one be careful to remove small popping skin and nails in cases when It is hard to define if the skin is popping or is just a high piece of skin, especially in dry skin on the feet, in fungus areas, and in edges that though soaked in hot water still peel.
Is fungus in the nails chatzizah? it is a kind that turns the inside part of the nail into powder, and the outer part of the nail yellow crump.

Thanks a lot for the convenience of asking.


Answer:

Try to remove any skin that ‘pops up’ around the edges of your nails prior to immersion. In cases where the skin is dry or loose, just soak in hot water. In cases of severe dryness or fungus, peeling off one layer of skin is not advisable, as it often leads to more peeling skin or to injury. Nails affected by fungus should be trimmed and cleaned to the best of your ability.

Some of these conditions can be treated, and it may be helpful to try to resolve them medically before mikveh night.

 


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