If your ring is stuck on your finger, it’s likely because your finger is swollen.
The ring itself may also simply be too small.
This cannot only be frustrating, but painful.
Peter Dazeley / Photographer’s Choice / Getty Images
When it’s possible for you to’t, you may need to have it cut off.
In some cases you may even need to seek medical attention.
This article discusses tips for removing a ring stuck on your finger and when to seek medical help.
Some of the following tips use the R.I.C.E.
method to bring the swelling down.
stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Others use some common household items that can help slide the ring off your finger.
Regardless of which strategy you choose to use, twist the ring off of your finger slowly.
Pulling it with force can cause additional swelling and possibly injury.
This may help bring down the swelling enough to slide the ring off.
Raise your hand to a level above your heart for about five to 10 minutes.
If possible, keep your hand elevated while cooling your finger.
If it doesn’t budge, wait 15 minutes and take another crack by repeating this process.
The cold from the ice reduces blood flow, which helps bring down swelling.
But longer app time isn’t better.
Ice can cause frostbite if you leave it on your skin for longer than is suggested.
If you feel pain or numbness from the cold, remove the ice immediately.
Recap
Raising your hand and using ice can help reduce blood flow in your finger.
Grease Up Your Finger
Putting on lotion or oil may help the ring slide off.
After you’ve coated the area, try gently twisting the ring off.
Wrap a Piece of String
Cut a long piece of dental floss, ribbon, or string.
Thread it underneath your ring so that a few inches are left tucked underneath the side facing your wrist.
You should have the majority of the length left on the side facing your fingernail.
Wrap that end of the string snugly around your finger below the ring.
Keep wrapping it around until you reach the joint closest to your fingernail, then leave it dangling.
The ring should slowly come off as you do.
Try using a lubricant like baby oil or hand lotion to help the ring slide off your finger.
Fire departments, emergency rooms, ambulances, and even some jewelry stores have ring cutting tools to help.
Never attempt this on your own.
In these cases, the ring may be acting as atourniquet, stopping the flow of blood.
This may cause permanent damage to the finger without immediate medical help.
You could also use a lubricant to make the ring easier to slip off.
Check with a jewelry store to get it resized.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are two methods to reduce finger swelling and make ring removal easier.
If one method doesn’t work, try both.
The fourth finger is the ring finger, located between the pinky and middle finger.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.How to get a ring off.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Heat treatment and cold treatment.
Harvard Health Publishing.Emergencies and first aid - removing a stuck ring.
2019;11(4):e4474.
