Q&A for How to Remove a Stuck Ring

A ring should always feel comfortable on your finger and the best fit is where the ring slides on with ease but resists slipping back off. If your skin bulges around the ring, then the ring is too small. If it slides back and forth with ease, never settling in one place, the ring is too large. To obtain the right fit, there should be a tiny gap between your finger and the ring, with some minor resistance when pushing over the knuckle. As with shoes, the best time to have a ring fitted is at the end of the day, to account for natural swelling during the day.

A ring cutter is used to remove rings from fingers when the ring won’t come off because of swelling, crushing or other injury. It acts somewhat like a can opener, to quickly cut a part of the ring without harming the skin. Ring cutters vary depending on the type of metal they have to cut; some are made for softer metals such as gold and platinum, while others are made to handle tougher metals. If you need to have a ring removed with a ring cutter, it’s best to see your jeweler (if no other injury is present) or the local hospital, as they’ll have the right tool.

Yes, a jeweler can definitely cut off a ring. A jeweler will have the appropriate tools for cutting the ring and will be able to remove the ring without harming your finger. As well, a jeweler can ensure that minimal damage is done to the ring, giving you the option of having the ring repaired afterward. If you can’t find a jeweler, then the local ER, your doctor or even the fire station may be able to assist. Important: If you have damaged skin, injury-induced swelling or cut skin at the site of the stuck ring, it would be best to see your doctor first, to discuss options for removal that avoid causing infection or further skin damage.

Regular, ongoing swelling should always be checked by a doctor, to ensure there isn’t any underlying medical cause––many medical issues can cause swelling. For occasional swelling, or where your doctor has assessed you and suggested alleviating practices, try an ice pack on the affected area, leaving it in place for 10 to 15 minutes. Further help can for reducing finger swelling be found at: How to Reduce Swollen Fingers .

When you raise your arm, all that excess fluid or water retention will travel back down the body and away from your finger joints. This will make your fingers more slender and thus make it easier to pull the ring off.

Yes, they should be able to remove the ring from your finger.

Try lubricating the area with butter or oil. Taking something like Ibuprofen might cause the swelling to go down as well.

Run your finger under cold water to stop swelling. Spread butter around it, and gently twist - not pull -the ring. Once off, run your finger under warm water.

Put more oil on your finger, and then loop dental floss just below the ring to see if you can slowly pull it up with the floss. Coconut and almond oil work great.

You should seek medical attention, you do not want the ring to start cutting off circulation.

If they didn't work, try rubbing butter on your stuck finger and the ring should come off.

You will have to try to cool your finger down to help reduce the swelling. You can also try to grease it with lotion or butter to help slide the ring off.

Run your hand under hot water, which should loosen the ring a little bit. You can also use oils to help slide the ring off your finger.

Follow the instructions listed in the article above.

Probably a safe and surefire way is to get the ring cut off. But if you really don't want the ring cut off, you could probably examine your skin and the ring. Does the skin seem to bunch up whenever you move the ring up or down your finger? Try using a toothpick or fork prong or something to try to push the skin under the ring, which would ultimately make it easier to get the ring up to at least your knuckle. Try twisting and pulling a few times, and most likely the ring will get off your finger.

Use Vaseline or an ointment. You can soak your hand in cold water (not too cold) to reduce swelling.

I would not recommend it. If you want to cut the ring, get a professional to do it to avoid accidents.

Wait a couple of days until the swelling goes down before putting the ring back on. You might consider taking the ring the a jeweler and having it resized; this can typically be done quickly and inexpensively.