Jewellery Expert Reveals 5 Tips on How to Remove a Stuck Ring From Your Finger

With the recent warmer weather, many of us may notice our fingers swelling up from the heat. Whilst this isn’t too much of a bother in itself, if it’s preventing you from removing your rings, then this can be very frustrating!

Whilst the heat is a contributing factor for rings getting stuck, pregnancy, infections and a high salt diet can also make your rings feel a little tighter than usual.

Rather than worrying that you’re never going to be able to take your ring off again, jewellery experts at Queensmith have prepared some techniques you can use to get a stuck ring off your finger without damage.

To lubricate your ring, use a slippery substance such as hand gel, cream, petroleum jelly or soap. Once you’ve wiggled the ring back and forth a few times, you should be able to pull the ring off with ease (or easier than before).

When you’re applying the lubricant, don’t put it directly on your ring, as this will make it dirty and harder to grasp. Instead, place your lubricant a little above your ring and give it a wiggle.

If this still doesn’t work, place your ringer in a bowl of warm water to loosen the skin and make it easier to slide off.

During warmer seasons, it’s normal for rings to fit differently. The heat is one of the biggest reasons for rings getting stuck on our fingers as it causes many of us to retain more water, which leads to swelling in our fingers.

To combat this, it may help to ice your fingers. Ice helps to constrict the blood vessels that go towards the fingers, which will give you decreased blood flow. Simply sit in a nice, cool room and place a bag of ice on top of your finger to cause the blood vessels to constrict.

Alternatively, place your finger in a glass of cold water above your head for 10 minutes to get the same outcome.

Not only is it great for keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy, but dental floss can help to get your tight ring off.

1. Slide a piece of dental floss or string under the stuck ring.

2. Tightly wrap the floss around your finger, going past the knuckle. This will reduce swelling by squeezing out any fluid.

3. Then, using the end of the floss that was under the ring, carefully unwrap it. The ring should move up and over the string, making it easier to remove.
   

Even though your natural response may be to tug at your ring with as much force as possible, this is actually the worst thing to do, as you’re causing more tension.

Instead, take a deep breath and sit down in a cool environment. Only once you have calmed down and feel a bit more relaxed, you can try taking the ring off. The more you are pulling on your finger, the more it is likely to swell, making the situation a lot worse.

When you realise your ring is stuck, your instinct might be to tense up and pull it off, but this is actually the worst thing you can do. Stress increases your heart rate, sending more blood to your skin, which causes additional swelling and makes it even more difficult to remove the ring.

So remember, take a deep breath, relax your hand and slowly and gently wiggle your ring off the swollen finger.

If none of these tips work, you may need to seek professional help to get your ring cut off. Jewellers will help remove your ring without any damage, but if you’re worried about any infections, you may wish to see a doctor.

A good sign to tell your ring is getting too tight, is if it fails to turn. You should be able to slightly move your ring without twisting the skin at the base of your finger. When you do take your ring off, if it leaves a deep indentation mark, then this is a big telltale sign that your ring is too small.

Another sign to look out for is if your skin protrudes out of the top or bottom of your ring. Make sure if this starts happening that you take it off as soon as possible, as this could lead to pain or a tingling sensation from your circulation being cut off.

If you're pregnant, consider removing your rings each night to account for any finger swelling. This can also help you monitor if they’re becoming too tight. If you wear multiple rings like an eternity ring, engagement ring and wedding ring, they might start to feel snug, so you might want to wear just your wedding ring or just your engagement ring for now.