Q. Hello Rav, If an adult gets a small cut on Shabbat and need to put a band-aid on, is it okay to add a bit of Antibiotic cream (e.g. polysporin) to the inside of the band-aid (ie. you are not smearing it yourself)? The cream is not absolutely necessary, but perhaps could prevent infections, etc.
Any difference if it was a child? Any difference for sephardim? Thx
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that even a small untreated wound could be dangerous specially in our days. Antibiotic cream can be placed without any smearing. However, since liquid disinfectant alcohol is widely available in our times, during Shabbos, it would be better to use it for other reasons too, and for children also. The cream can be used after Shabbos ends.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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