Rabbi David Sperling
Question
Hi Rabbi Sperling, I have a question for Shabbat. I have extremely sever rosacea. I have a cream prescribed by a doctor that calms it, but on Shabbat it is problematic to apply it. When I don’t apply it, my face is tomato red and burns and is hot and extremely embarrassing. I was wondering if there was a way Halachically to apply it. Please let me know. thanks,
Answer
Shalom, Thank you for your question. May you be blessed with only good health. You are correct that there is a problem in applying creams on Shabbat. However, when there is a real medical need, and you feel discomfort, you may rely upon the opinion of the Magen Avraham who rules that when the cream is fully absorbed into the skin then it is allowed. Based on this, if you rub the cream in to the extent that it all gets absorbed and does not stay on the surface of the skin it would be permitted. Once again, many blessings for good health.
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