866. Washing on Tisha b'Av

124:6 Pregnant or nursing women must also complete the fast on Tisha b'Av, even though it is very difficult for them, unless there is a situation that causes there to be a concern of danger to them. If a person is ill, even though he is not in danger, we may be lenient and he need not complete the fast; he need only fast several hours. This is all the more so if he is a weak person by nature. A woman between seven and thirty days after giving birth is considered a sick person who is not dangerously ill even if she doesn't feel sick. If she feels completely healthy and believes that the fast will not harm her, she should complete it.  Those who need to eat on Tisha b'Av should not eat for enjoyment; rather, they should only eat what is necessary to maintain their health.

124:7 On Tisha b'Av, one is not permitted to wash, neither in hot nor cold water; one may not even dip a finger in water.  This prohibition only applies to washing for pleasure; washing that is not for pleasure is permitted. Therefore, one may wash his hands in the morning, being careful to wash only his fingers. That is the reason we wash in the morning: to remove the "unclean spirit" from our fingers. (Because of differences of opinion regarding this halacha, Mishnah Brurah 554:21 feels that washing one's fingers in the morning should be done without a bracha.) After drying our fingers a little so they are still damp, we pass them over our eyes. If one's eyes are dirty and he normally washes them with water upon arising, he may wash them in the usual manner on Tisha b'Av and not be concerned about it. Similarly, if one's hands get dirty from mud or similar substances, he may wash the dirty spot. After going to the bathroom, one may wash his hands a little in the usual manner.  One may also wash his fingers before mincha. (One may soak a cloth before Tisha b'Av, wring it out and use it to wipe his hands, feet and face on Tisha b'Av - Rema 554:14.)