Heter for migraines

amother

OP ↓

Thu, Sep 26 2024, 9:01 am

I read yesterday how someone got a heter to take off headwear since it causes them migraines. Anyone else in the same camp?
I also suffer and get massive migraines/ neck issues due to scoliosis after using a wig or other type of cover for a few hours. I have long heavy hair and it’s not an option to cut.
Would love to hear more from people dealing with the same thing who got a heter.
Tia

amother

Clematis

Thu, Sep 26 2024, 9:09 am

Why is it not an option to cut / thin your hair? I do it. I also switched to tichels since wigs give me migraines much much more often.

amother

Daffodil ↓

Thu, Sep 26 2024, 9:19 am

amother OP wrote:

I can't believe that you'd rather uncover your hair (which is a sin) then to cut your hair. Thick heavy hair is known to cause migraines. Of course it's an option to cut or thin your hair, why ever not?
I don't believe that a Rav will just give you a heter to uncover before trying all other options. It really is a last resort for debilitating migraines that keep one from functioning.

amother

↑ OP

Thu, Sep 26 2024, 9:23 am

amother Daffodil wrote:

Please show me where it says that one of the 613 mitzvos is “do not uncover hair”
I was asking because there was a poster yesterday who mentioned she got a heter (but never used it) and wanted to know under what circumstances that’s possible and what alternatives there are. It doesnt in any way mean that I want to uncover my hair.
Also if someone DID go to a rav and got a heter, you should in no way be passing judgment and assuming the worst of them.

amother

↑ Daffodil

Thu, Sep 26 2024, 9:27 am

amother OP wrote:

Please show me where it says that one of the 613 mitzvos is “do not uncover hair”
I was asking because there was a poster yesterday who got a heter and wanted to know in what situations that’s possible and what alternatives there are. It doesnt in any way mean that I want to uncover my hair.
Also if someone DID go to a rav and got a heter, you should in no way be passing judgment and assuming the worst of them.

The torah says that a married woman hair is erva & must be covered in the presence of men. So "do not uncover" is self understood.....
The poster that get a heter, most likely got one after all other options were exhausted. This really isn't an easy heter to get. Especially when you may have an easy fix like cutting or thinning out your hair. There's no such a thing that it's not an option. Heavy hair can really cause bad migraines.

essie14

Thu, Sep 26 2024, 9:47 am

I know 2 people who got heterim to uncover their hair due to migraines/neck pain.
That being said, you'll probably be asked to try very lightweight head coverings before you're given a heter to uncover completely.
I get a headache when I wear a wig. Even a supposedly "comfortable " lace top.
So I don't wear one. I wear very lightweight scarves with a loose knot or elastic. Or a baseball cap which I find very comfortable.

amother

Gold

Thu, Sep 26 2024, 9:55 am

Migrainer.
I don't wear a sheitel for any extended period of time. I wear a tichel or a hat that fully covers my hair. Even to work where I work with non Jews and not frum people- I wear hats.
I also keep it on the shorter end (short pony length) but that is for convenience too.

Have you tried some of the lightweight hats and snoods? Some barely feel like they are on!

What is the reason you cannot cut your hair? Why would a heter be given when there is a reasonable way to decrease likelihood of a migraine? Less weight, less pressure on the head...

amother

Daisy

Thu, Sep 26 2024, 9:55 am

I think any rabbi is going to discuss with you the long heavy hair that is not an option to cut. you don't have to answer us but I suggest you really think about it. I know s/o who doesn't cover because of migraines but shes older, all her girls c over. no idea if she asked but her hair is far from long...

Ruchel ↓

Thu, Sep 26 2024, 10:15 am

Sorry I didn't reply yet! I didn't forget you
My heter is to remove the covering when I'm outside and the pain is intense Ideally hidden or while in the car which is KIND OF not exactly outside. My migraines aren't helped by short hair yes I tried. That I remember I didn't haven't removed outside. Maybe once in the car, parked quietly. Can't remember.

shabbatiscoming ↓

Thu, Sep 26 2024, 3:26 pm

OP, can you explain why cutting your hair is not an option? I used to get migraines from covering. I thought about asking about a heter to uncover. But then I tried lighter head coverings first and then I cut my hair. That helped a lot.
You should really see what options there are.
But if all else does not work, talk to a symathetic rav and see what he says.

amother

Plum

Thu, Sep 26 2024, 3:40 pm

Also you should be looking at root causes of migraine. An anti-inflammatory diet can help a lot.

There are a lot of books (see ebay), one in particular claims that inflammatory foods are individual and teaches you how to test various foods.

She has you start with foods least likely to cause inflammation in majority of people and slowly test others.

Surprise: rice cakes are inflammatory for very large numbers of people.

I wear pretty (usually very light, especially in summer) tichels exclusively yet mid-day I can change to a lighter pre-tied and definitely take off my head covering every time I go to the bathroom and when I sleep, to give my head a rest. (BH no migraines but quite sensory and sheitel was always a huge "PAIN" for me)

rkay

Thu, Sep 26 2024, 4:17 pm

amother Plum wrote:

I have bad migraines, really need a cure. Can you advise which book you recommend?

Cheiny

Thu, Sep 26 2024, 5:21 pm

rkay wrote:

I have bad migraines, really need a cure. Can you advise which book you recommend?

I know someone who got a lot of relief from taking fish oil supplements every day. They’re known to help prevent migraines.

amother

Mint ↓

Fri, Sep 27 2024, 7:37 am

amother OP wrote:

I get migraines. I didn’t ask about not covering outside my house, but I did ask about covering inside. We have a bunch of guys living with us (one actually in our house and the rest in the basement) plus’s people are always coming and going and I never really know who is going to show up when.

Rabbit613

Fri, Sep 27 2024, 7:40 am

amother Clematis wrote:

Why is it not an option to cut / thin your hair? I do it. I also switched to tichels since wigs give me migraines much much more often.

Same
I only wear sheitels on shabbos and my head feels so much better when my hair is short.
I wear a very thin tichel and I almost don't feel it at all.

bookstore15 ↓

Fri, Sep 27 2024, 8:31 am

amother Lightcoral wrote:

The person I know who got a heter had to keep her hair short and also still had to wear something on her head in public

I know one person who got this psak as well, she usually wears some kind of headband or something.
However, she is also a BT so things are different.
Feel better!