My Ring Is Stuck on My Finger: What Should I Do?

A ring is meant to be worn on your finger — not welded to it. But sometimes rings that are too small get stubbornly shoved past the knuckle or the finger itself swells up overnight. This becomes a serious situation when:

• The finger is turning various shades of purple and blue 
• The finger has gone numb
• The finger has been mangled by ring avulsion

If this is the case for you currently, then don’t use your phone to scroll around for DIY solutions. Use it to get professional medical help.

And even if it’s not a medical emergency, but it becomes obvious that the ring needs to be cut off, don’t try that yourself. That’s the kind of situation that will lead to a trip to the emergency room pretty quickly. Don’t let it go too long — don’t risk your finger trying to save the ring! We know where you can find an affordable replacement.  

But if it's not an emergency, here are some different approaches to loosening a too tight ring depending on the time and resources available. A common acronym for the order of operations in ring removal is RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

Why Rings Get Stuck

Before we explore techniques for getting a stuck ring off your finger, let’s explore why rings get stuck in the first place. Size, surprisingly, isn’t the only culprit. Fingers naturally fluctuate throughout the day, across seasons and even over a lifetime. Weight gain (and loss) impacts finger size, too. Opting for a slightly looser fit, especially if you’re prone to puffiness, can prevent future struggles. But swelling can also arise from salty snacks or scorching summer days, so be mindful of activities that trigger swelling, and remove rings beforehand.

Medical conditions like arthritis or pregnancy can also cause swelling, so consult your doctor for personalized advice when necessary. Even minor injuries like cuts or sprains can alter finger shape, too, and make ring removal tricky. If you get hurt, let your finger heal completely before squeezing on your favorite bling.

But it’s not just physical factors at play. Metal allergies can cause inflammation and discomfort around the ring. If you suspect an allergy, switch to hypoallergenic metals or talk to a dermatologist about avoiding unwanted reactions. Fortunately, there are lots of hacks for removing your jewelry without having to have the ring cut off. Here are some tips:

Rest

If you feel like your ring seems to oscillate back and forth between being a finger belt to a knuckle rattle, it’s not your imagination. Your finger changes size over the course of the day, and the ring feels tight and loose accordingly. If you aren’t in a rush to get the ring off, and it’s simply a bit snug rather than actually uncomfortable, you can simply rest until changes in the temperature, altitude and time of day favor easier removal. If you raise your hand above your heart for a while, this could also ease swelling, letting your ring slide off your finger. If a stuck ring is an everyday occurrence, however, you might need to think through resizing or other options to prevent being caught in a bind.

Source: patchii/Shutterstock.com

Ice Water, Compression and Elevation 

Sometimes the finger swelling isn’t a pattern of regular oscillation but of steady escalation. You might know that you are only headed for warmer temperatures or you are just 20 weeks into a pregnancy. Or you might not be able to wait for your finger’s timeline before heading into the operating room. In these instances, you can instigate your own change of temperature and altitude before the pinch gets worse. 

Dip your finger in ice water or prop it up on an ice pack. Don’t do this longer than 15 minutes — you don’t want to flirt with frostbite. The goal is to shrink your swollen finger enough to allow for easy ring removal. Gently press the skin above the ring (compression) after soaking your finger in cold water before giving the jewelry an experimental twist. Don’t further irritate your skin with too much tugging if it’s obvious it isn’t going to budge. Ideally, you would find a way to keep your finger at a higher elevation, as in above your head. This method is all about reducing blood flow to reduce swelling. 

Slip and Slide

If you’ve got some slippery supplies, you can grease things up. Baby oil. Lotion. Even Windex. But, again, nothing that is going to further irritate your skin.

Another unlikely alternative is dental floss — if you can poke the thread under the ring. Then, wind more of the dental floss around the part of the finger above the constricting band toward the finger tip so that you can begin sliding the ring above the compressed area and off the finger. 

Featured: The Camille

Once you get the ring off, make sure it isn’t going to get stuck there again. It’s true that it can be harder to adjust a ring to a larger size, but don’t tempt fate by sliding something constrictive onto your finger or surrender to discomfort. Modern Gents has a no-hassle exchange policy and an entire catalog of flexible alternatives that can serve as interim bands.

How to Prevent Getting a Wedding Ring Stuck

Now, onto some prevention pointers! Getting your fingers professionally sized, especially if you experience weight fluctuations or swelling, is key. Listen to your body’s signals. If a ring starts to feel snug, remove it before it gets stuck. For daily jewelry, like your wedding band or engagement ring, pay attention to how it looks. If you notice it starting to look like it’s sinking into your skin, take it off. Have your snug jewelry resized, or swap it for wider bands or softer metals, which tend to be more forgiving on swollen fingers. Avoid wearing rings during activities that trigger swelling, like exercising or working with your hands in hot water. And finally, embrace temporary or adjustable rings for situations where swelling is likely. For example, you may want to invest in a pregnancy ring to wear while expecting so you won’t have to worry about getting a ring off your swollen fingers. 

Closing Thoughts

Just about everyone who wears jewelry has dealt with a stuck ring at least once. Fortunately, with the help of everything from hand lotion and baby oil to dental floss and Windex, it’s usually possible to, eventually, slip a stuck ring over your knuckle and off your finger. If the techniques above don’t work, seek help from professional jewelers. And seek emergency care if your ring is cutting off blood flow or your finger is injured. Remember that no jewelry is worth risking your health and safety. Rings can be repaired or replaced — you can’t! If you’re in the market for a new ring, we can help. Browse our collection today!