Whenever anything happens to make a ring to get stuck on your finger, it can be really frustrating. The most important thing is to maintain your composure. It is not going to help you to panic about the ring getting stuck on the finger. Take it easy and collect your thoughts before taking the next step.
- First, reduce swelling.
- Then try some basic lubricants such as soap and Windex.
- Next, use something to compress the swelling and slip the ring off.
- Finally, if nothing works, contact a professional to cut the ring off.
Getting off a ring that is stuck on a finger can either be an easy task or a difficult one, depending on the circumstances. First and foremost, do not be alarmed. If you try to pull on a ring that is stuck on your swollen finger, all you can do is irritate the finger and make things far much worse.
Alternatively, you can try wiggling and twisting on the ring. Pull strongly but not too hard. Instead of keeping your hand rigid, relax it. If none of the above works, don’t force it. Before you attempt again, you should try to minimize the swelling on the finger.
Reduce the Swelling
The very first thing to do when a ring gets stuck on your finger is to find ways to reduce the swelling. You can run cold water over it for about 10-30 seconds.
Afterward, you can try to wiggle the ring off without too much difficulty. Another way you can deal with swelling is to limit your salt consumption while increasing your water intake. Since finger swelling is worse in the morning, start the removal process in the evening hours or in the late afternoon.
Use gravity’s effect to help with natural circulation and venous return.
Maintain an elevated position with your side. This would significantly minimize swelling.
After that, you can wash your fingers in cold water or in an ice-water bath. Cold water causes vasoconstriction, which reduces swelling almost instantly.
Use a Lubricant Such as Soap or Windex
While reducing swelling is beneficial, you may also use a little lubricant to help with removal. Peeling, pain, redness, and additional swelling are all reduced by lubrication.
Butter, cooking oil, petroleum jelly, soap, or a strong moisturizing cream are all excellent choices.
Apply a generous amount of lubricant to your ring and then gently roll it sideways.
You can feel some pressure or pain, but with a little perseverance, you will be able to remove the ring comfortably.
Do not attempt to move the ring forward by tugging or pushing it.
When it comes to removing a ring from a swollen finger, commercial glass cleaners (such as Windex) have the additional advantage of reducing the chance of bruises, strains, or stains on skin or jewelry in addition to careful ring removal.
Prior to actually attempting the removal, please ensure you spray the glass cleaner all across your finger. Once you have done this, gently take out the ring without pulling at it.
Physical Ways to Remove a Stuck Ring
1. The dental floss/string method
The most popular method for removing a stuck ring on a finger on the internet is to use dental floss or string. It is a recommended method that is also safe. Underneath the ring, loop a thin string or a dental floss.
Start wrapping the string all around the finger from the other end. Make sure the thread is uniformly and securely wrapped through the bottom knuckle. Start unwrapping the string in the very same direction as the end which was slipped under the seal.
As the string is unwound, the ring should pass over it. Unscrew the string and seek prompt medical attention if the ring cannot be taken off.
2. The tape/duct tape method
This technique entails wrapping tape around the upper portion of the finger. This is the part where the ring would slip over in order to allow swelling to decrease/relocate for long enough for the ring to slip over it.
Wrapping tape around your finger just beneath the ring, lubricating the tape as well as the ring, and then attempting to slip the ring down and over tape is something that many people have tried and quite often succeed with.
Since the tape is wound tightly around the knuckle, it holds the loose skin in place a little better. This makes it much easier to slide the ring down over the knuckle. A thin tape, like scotch tape or anything similar, is the safest kind to use. You should avoid using thick tape because it will undermine your aim.
3. The plastic wrap method
When it comes to removing rings, some people believe in using plastic cling wrap. Simply pick a small piece of plastic wrap and secure it around your finger right above the ring to loosen the ring. Add a lubricant, like petroleum jelly or dish soap abundantly to the cling wrap as well as on the ring at this stage.
Allow it to sit for a few minutes before pulling both the cling wrap and the ring down at around the same time. The plastic wrap works by giving you more opportunities to pull and remove.
Last Resort: Cut It Off
A ring cutter can be found in jewelry stores, fire departments and emergency rooms.
If your finger is broken and you’re unsure what to do, go to the nearest emergency room. Seek medical attention if your finger is swollen, discolored, and/or numb. It is better to get help before any permanent damage is done.
Resizing Your Ring After It Is Removed
Consider having the ring resized once it is no longer trapped on your finger to prevent a potential incident from happening again in the future.
A respectable jeweler can resize a ring by cutting the ring shank and adding adequate metal to make the ring larger.
After that, they’ll weld it together. Ultimately, they will polish the ring until the difference is almost undetectable.
