Question
I have asthma and when I have a cold, I need to use two puffers. I also need to rinse my mouth after inhaling the puffers. I now have cold and I have difficulty breathing. Yom Kipper is rapidly approaching, what to do? I feel bad, as I would like to fast.
Answer
Using the inhaler is permitted on Yom Kippur and is not considered breaking the fast. Washing out your mouth is also allowed, although if possible, something may be added to the water to make it bitter (like pepper), so that it is in a state that it would not normally be drunk. If this is impossible, wash out your mouth with regular water being careful in any case not to swallow.
