Wedding Ring Stuck? Here's What You Can Do

Wedding rings are often worn as a symbol of commitment, but what happens when you can't get it off? Rings can get stuck on fingers for a variety of reasons, including incorrect sizing, health conditions like arthritis, injuries, and water retention, which can all cause swelling in the fingers. In some cases, emergency medical treatment may be required to remove the ring, but there are also several at-home methods you can try first. So, if you ever find yourself in this tricky situation, don't panic! There are a number of hacks to help you safely remove a stuck ring and save your finger.

Reasons for a ring getting stuck

Wedding rings can get stuck on fingers for a variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons is that the ring is simply too small for the finger. This can be due to incorrect sizing, weight gain, or changes in the body over time, such as arthritis or bone changes.

Another reason rings may get stuck is due to health conditions that cause swelling in the fingers. This includes arthritis, injuries, infections, and water retention. Certain medications can also increase water retention, leading to finger swelling. Dehydration, excessive salt intake, and temperature changes can also cause swollen joints and fingers.

During pregnancy, weight gain and swelling can also cause rings to become stuck. In some cases, a ring may get stuck due to a rare tumour developing in the wrist and causing swelling.

Additionally, a ring that has been banged or hit can tighten in one area and loosen in another, leading to a stuck ring.

It is important to act quickly if a ring is stuck and causing rapid swelling, as this may indicate an infection. Long-term swelling can lead to nerve damage and stiffness in the fingers, and in severe cases, loss of function or loss of the finger.

How to remove a stuck ring

A stuck ring can be caused by wearing a ring that's too small, or by arthritis, which can cause swelling in the joints and tissue. If your ring is stuck, don't panic! Here are some methods to help you safely remove it:

Raise Your Hand

First, raise your hand above your head to slow down the blood flow. If your hands are hot, hold something cool to reduce the blood flow to the skin's surface. This simple trick might be all you need to slip the ring off.

Friendly Pressure

Remember, a ring is round, but a finger is not. Instead of pulling the ring straight back over the knuckle, push it against one side of your finger and slide it along. If someone is assisting you, ask them to pull the skin towards your knuckle to prevent it from gathering in front of the ring.

Soap and Water

Use cold or tepid water to provide traction and assist in sliding the ring off. Soap can also be used as a lubricant to help the ring come off more easily. If you don't have access to soap and water, try using oil instead.

Dental Floss or Thread

Take a piece of dental floss or thread and slip one end under the ring. Tightly wrap the floss or thread around your finger up to your knuckle, then unwind it from the bottom, moving the ring up your finger until you can remove it.

Ice and Elevation

Place ice on the ring and elevate your arm above your head for 5-10 minutes. If the ring still won't come off, try elevating your arm above shoulder level for a few minutes.

Plastic Wrap

Wrap your finger tightly in plastic wrap, with the bottom edge bordering the stuck ring. Lubricate the ring and plastic wrap with a greasy substance like butter or dish soap. Twist the ring downward, using the lubricated wrap to guide it down your finger.

Twisting

Try twisting the ring while manipulating the skin near your knuckle. Move any pockets of skin above the ring so they're below it, creating leverage to help remove it.

Cut the Ring

If all else fails, you may need to cut the ring off. Ring cutters can be found in jewellery stores, fire departments, and emergency rooms. If the ring is made of a precious metal like platinum, gold, or silver, it will be easier to cut. However, if it's made of industrial metal like titanium, cobalt, or tungsten, it will be more challenging.

Medical conditions that can cause a ring to get stuck

A ring that is too small is the most common reason for a ring to get stuck on a finger. However, there are several medical conditions that can cause a ring to get stuck, including:

Arthritis

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, often caused by overuse. It is one of the most common causes of swollen joints, which can prevent a ring from being removed.

Water Retention

Water retention, also known as oedema, can be caused by certain medications, a diet with too much salt, or an underlying condition such as kidney or thyroid disease. This can lead to swelling in the fingers, making it difficult to remove a ring.

Ganglion Cysts

These are noncancerous lumps that may develop on the back of the wrist and cause swelling in the fingers.

Infections and Injuries

Inflammation increases in the body due to an infection or injury, resulting in fluid gathering in the affected area to aid healing. This excess fluid and inflammation can cause swelling, making it difficult to remove a ring.

Pregnancy

Weight gain and swelling during pregnancy can cause fingers to swell and rings to become too tight.

Tumors

Although rare, tumors in the wrist can cause swelling and make it difficult to remove a ring.

If you are experiencing any of these conditions and your ring is stuck, it is important to remain calm and seek medical help if necessary. Do not forcefully try to remove the ring, as this can cause additional swelling and increase the risk of injury.

Home remedies to remove a stuck ring

It is quite common for a ring to get stuck on your finger. This can happen due to various reasons, including wearing a ring that is too small, arthritis, or swollen joints. Here are some home remedies to help you safely remove a stuck ring:

Keep Calm and Raise Your Hand

First and foremost, don't panic. Stress can increase your heart rate and lead to more blood flowing through your skin, which can add to the swelling. Take a moment to relax and raise your hand above your head. This simple action slows down the blood flow to your hand, and sometimes, this is all you need to slide the ring off after a few minutes. If your hands are hot, hold something cool to reduce the blood flow to the surface of your skin.

Friendly Pressure

Remember, a ring is round, but your finger is not. Instead of forcefully sliding the ring straight back over your knuckle, try pushing it against one side of your finger and sliding it along this side. If someone is assisting you, ask them to gently pull the skin towards your knuckle to prevent it from gathering in front of the ring.

Lubrication

Using a lubricant can be an effective way to remove the ring safely and with minimal damage to your skin. You can use a variety of household items as lubricants, such as dish soap, window cleaners like Windex (ensuring they are skin-safe), or oils like cooking oil or baby oil. Generously apply the lubricant of your choice to your finger and the ring. Gently turn the ring around your finger a few times to ensure the lubricant gets underneath. Then, work the ring back and forth and twist it as you gently pull it off.

Ice and Elevation

Grab an ice pack or wrap a few ice cubes in a towel and place it over the ring. Then, elevate your hand by lifting your arm over your head for 5-10 minutes. This method can help reduce swelling and make it easier to remove the ring.

Dental Floss or Thread

Dental floss or thread can be used to compress the swollen finger and help slide the ring off. Place one end of the dental floss or thread under the ring, ensuring that the bulk of it is towards the fingertip. Then, tightly wrap it around your finger up to your knuckle. Finally, begin unwrapping the floss or thread, starting from the bottom of your finger. As you unwind, your ring should move up your finger, allowing you to get it off.

Plastic Wrap

If the above methods are not successful, you can try using plastic wrap. Tightly wrap your finger in plastic wrap, ensuring the bottom edge borders the stuck ring. Apply a greasy substance, such as butter or dish soap, to both the ring and the plastic wrap. This lubrication should enable you to twist the ring downward and remove it.

Twisting

If all else fails, try twisting the ring while manipulating the skin near your knuckle. Maneuver any pockets of skin above the ring so that they are below it instead, as this can provide leverage and help remove the ring.

If none of these home remedies work, it may be necessary to seek professional help. A jeweler, doctor, or even the local fire station may be able to assist in removing the stuck ring safely.

When to seek professional help

If your wedding ring is stuck, there are a few things you can try at home before seeking professional help. These include:

• Elevating your hand above your heart for 5-10 minutes with ice on the affected area.
• Using a lubricant such as soap, oil, butter, olive oil, petroleum jelly, lip balm, or Windex on the ring and finger.
• Twisting the ring while pulling some of the skin from above the ring to below it.
• Using dental floss or thread to compress the swollen finger and lift the ring off.

However, it is important to know when to stop attempting to remove the ring yourself and seek professional help. If your finger is dark red or overly swollen, or if anything else appears dangerous, do not try any home remedies and contact a medical professional immediately.

If you have injured your hand or arm, or if your ring is not coming off and your finger is swelling, you should also seek medical help as soon as possible. Time is of the essence in these situations, as leaving a ring on for too long can cause nerve damage and stiffness in your fingers, or even lead to the loss of function or the finger itself.

If your ring is made of a precious metal like platinum, gold, or silver, it can be easily cut off by a medical professional or a jeweler. Even if your ring is made of a harder metal like titanium, cobalt, or tungsten, they have the necessary tools to remove it.

Frequently asked questions