Emergency ring removal
It might be annoying to have a ring trapped on your finger.
It might potentially be harmful. But don't worry; you can attempt a number of
easy methods at home to free a stuck ring.
Consider
twisting it off
Hold the ring in your hand and slowly remove your finger
from the ring while gently rotating the ring back and forth.
Try not to pull too hard. Being rough could increase edema.
Use
Windex
The American Society for Surgery of the Hand recommends using
Windex (an ammonia-based window cleaner) on the ring and finger before
attempting to gently slip the ring of your finger.
Try to
lubricate it.
Try lubricating the ring with something slippery to assist
it to glide off your finger, such as:
- Petroleum jelly
- Vegetable oil
- Liquid dishwashing soap
- Butter
- Hand lotion
- Cooking spray
- Hair conditioner or shampoo
- Coconut oil
- Baby oil
- Shortening (lard)
- Mineral oil
Reduce the
swelling
Use the RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation)
approach to lessen edema. It's a standard procedure in the treatment of sprains
and strains.
It can be modified to assist in unsticking a ring:
- Put the finger that is holding the trapped ring into a cup of icy water.
- For around ten minutes, hold your hand over your head with the finger in the cup.
- Icy water should be removed from the finger. Compress your finger above the stuck ring with your other hand.
- Remove the ring from your finger by doing so slowly and gently. Take into account lubrication.
This technique might need to be repeated several times, with
a 5- to 10-minute pause in between.
Try to wrap
it off
The wrapping technique is recommended by Harvard Medical School:
- Dental floss should be wound tightly and uniformly around the finger, beyond the lower knuckle, and above the ring.
- From the end of the dental floss that is closest to the string, start unraveling it.
- The ring should advance up the finger and off as you unwind the dental floss.
- Take the dental floss out and seek emergency care if the ring won't come off.
Try to
cut it off
The ring can be cut using a specific tool called a ring cutter
without hurting your finger.
Ring cutters are typically available at jewelers, fire
departments, and ERs.
When to
seek medical attention
If you have a cut, wound, or both on your finger, or if the
swelling is the result of an injury, see your doctor before attempting to
remove a stuck ring.
Options that should prevent further harm and the danger of
infection can be suggested by your doctor.
If your finger is hurt and it is:
- Swollen
- Discolored
- Has no feeling
Your finger may be experiencing major, long-lasting injury
from the ring functioning as a tourniquet.
How rings
get stuck
Rings can become impaled on fingers in a number of different
ways. Typical methods include:
- A ring that you tried on was too tiny for your finger.
- The ring has been on your finger for a while, and your finger has grown.
- Because of an accident or trauma, your finger is swollen.
- Your knuckles have gotten bigger since you put the ring on because of a condition like arthritis.
- You are retaining fluids as a result of your diet or a health issue, including thyroid or kidney problems.
Resizing
rings
Consider having the ring resized once it is off your finger
to prevent a repeat incident.
A trustworthy jeweler can adjust a ring by trimming the
shank and adding extra metal to make it larger. Then they'll solder everything
together. The ring will then be polished to the point where the difference is
essentially undetectable.
The type and quantity of metal required, as well as the
jeweler's time, determine the final cost.
The following metals will normally work with resizing:
- Sterling silver
- Gold
- Platinum
Certain metals cannot be used to resize rings. These
materials include titanium and stainless steel.
Conclusion
A ring can be removed from a swollen finger using a variety
of techniques, including lubrication and swelling reduction. Even a tool for
cutting a ring off a finger safely exists.
Before using removal methods that can end up doing more harm
if your finger is swollen as a result of an injury, think about having your
doctor have a look at it.
To prevent potentially irreversible harm, seek emergency care
if your finger is exceedingly painful, discolored, and very swollen.
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