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Learn how to get a ring off a swollen finger with this guide
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Has it been a while since you took off a ring? Did you try on a ring that seemed big enough going on but won't readily come off? Don't panic—there are some simple things you can do to remove it safely.
Quick Tips to Get a Ring Off
Put one end of a piece of dental floss under the ring. Then, tightly wrap the floss around your finger up to your knuckle. Hold the end of the floss that's under the ring and unwind the floss to move the ring up your finger until you can get it off.
Steps
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Slip one end of the dental floss under the ring. If necessary use a needle to get the dental floss under the ring. [1] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source
- Thin ribbon can also work for this.
- Warning: Tight string wraps can cause skin damage, and may only work for simpler cases. If unsuccessful, the finger may be sore, and the swelling may worsen.
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Wrap the dental floss around your finger, up to your knuckle. Wind snuggly, but not so tightly that you cause pain or turn the finger blue. Unwind it if it's too tight. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement -
Unwind the dental floss, beginning at the bottom of the finger. As you unwind the dental floss from the bottom, your ring will move up your finger until you can get it off. [3] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source
- If this method doesn’t work, seek medical care as soon as possible.
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Use something slippery. Plenty of "skin-safe" household items can be used as lubricants to get the ring off in one piece and with minimal damage to skin. Dish soap might be your best option. Window cleaners such as Windex often work well—just make sure they don’t have any harsh chemicals. If the skin is broken or cut, choose your lubricant wisely. Otherwise, try any of these, using a generous amount at least as far as the knuckle. [4] X Research source
- Vaseline
- Soap and water
- Windex or other window cleaners
(make sure its safe on skin, read the bottle first) - Oil (cooking oil, baby oil, etc.)
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Move the ring around, getting some of the lubricant underneath. Turn the ring around the finger a time or two, and spray or rub more lubricant on as well. Gently pull the ring off the finger, working it back and forth and turning it as you go, as necessary. [5] X Research source
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Wrap your finger tightly in plastic wrap. Loop the wrap around your finger several times so the bottom edge of the plastic wrap borders the stuck ring. [7] X Research source
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Lubricate the ring and the plastic wrap. Apply something like butter, dish soap, or another greasy substance over the surface of both the ring and the plastic wrap. [8] X Research source
- Ideally, you should be able to twist your ring around at this point.
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Twist the ring downward to remove it. Carefully twist your ring, using the lubricated wrap to help guide it down the length of your finger. With a little patience and elbow grease, you should be able to remove the stuck ring with plastic wrap. [9] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow tight should a ring be?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerA 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.
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QuestionWhat is a ring cutter used for?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerA 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.
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QuestionCan a jeweler cut a ring off?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerYes, 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.
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Tips
- If you must cut the ring off yourself, use a ring cutter—this is a device commonly found at a jewelry shop or emergency room. [10] X Research sourceThanks
- Get your ring size measured if you haven't lately. It may change as you gain or lose weight or simply as you age. Any jeweler should have a set of sizing rings, or you can measure your ring size at home.Thanks
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Warnings
- Some types of window cleaners may contain ammonia and can hurt certain types of metals and gems. Be sure to check!Thanks
- Your local jewelry store should also have a tool that allows them to cut the ring off. Once they remove it they can repair and re-size the ring for you, but only after letting your finger heal, usually 2 weeks. It's best if you go to a store that has a repair shop on the premises since they'll know what they're doing.Thanks
- Get immediate help if some other injury to the finger is causing it to swell. Don't pull at a ring if you think the finger might be broken. [11] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to sourceThanks
- If the finger is turning blue and you cannot remove the ring then visit the ER (A&E in the UK) or the nearest fire station immediately. [12] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/emergencies-and-first-aid-removing-a-stuck-ring
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=tp9593
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/emergencies-and-first-aid-removing-a-stuck-ring
- ↑ https://www.assh.org/handcare/safety/how-to-get-a-ring-off
- ↑ https://www.assh.org/handcare/safety/how-to-get-a-ring-off
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=tp9593
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIh9qt3GY6Q&t=0m40s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIh9qt3GY6Q&t=0m43s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIh9qt3GY6Q&t=1m45s
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To remove a stuck ring, try dipping your hand in cold water to lubricate your skin and reduce any swelling. After a few minutes, try twisting the ring off your finger while your hand is still wet. If that doesn’t work, apply a generous amount of lubricant such as hand lotion, petroleum jelly, or cooking oil on the skin around the ring. Then, move the ring around to get the lubricant underneath, and gently twist it back and forth as you pull it off your finger. For more tips, like how to remove a stuck ring using dental floss, scroll down.
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Reader Success Stories
- "This article was very helpful. Normally I wear many rings on my hand. Some have a tendency of getting stuck, and I end up panicking about whether or not they will come off. This ends up with me using a nail scissor to cut them off (a waste of money and painful). Now, however, I can painlessly and safely remove them. Thanks." ..." more
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"This article was very helpful. Normally I wear many rings on my hand. Some have a tendency of getting stuck, and I end up panicking about whether or not they will come off. This ends up with me using a nail scissor to cut them off (a waste of money and painful). Now, however, I can painlessly and safely remove them. Thanks."
..."
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"Clear instructions, not to panic and that this should work. Arthritis has swollen my finger joints, I rubbed loads of hand cream in as advised and inched it very persistently up and over the swollen joint. It came easily once the cream had worked in a bit."
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"The tip that says the fire dept has a ring cutting tool. I never would have thought of that and it would be much quicker and cheaper than the hospital. There is generally a fire dept near most relatively populous locations."
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"I was stung by a wasp on my left hand and I needed to remove my wedding band as my hand and fingers were swelling. The step-by-step guide to using dental floss really worked and I have big knuckles!"
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"I went into my room, put on my cross ring, and realized I cant get it off. I frantically searched on the Internet for answers and came across wikiHow. Thanks for saving me from embarrassment!"
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