Remove a Stuck Ring

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, and don't rush to cut it off either. There are some simple things you can do to remove it safely.

Steps

General

  1. Place your index finger gently on the stuck ring, and thumb under. Start twisting the ring gently back and forth, while slowly pulling the ring out.
  2. Make sure that you don't pull and tug too much. It could cause additional swelling and make it even harder to remove the ring.

Lubricant Method

  1. 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. Ammonia-based cleaners such as Windex often work best. 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.
    • Vaseline
    • Windex or other window cleaners
      (professional jewelers often use this and make sure its safe on skin, read the bottle first)
    • Hand lotion (works particularly well)
    • Butter - if possible
    • Hair conditioner/shampoo
    • Petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment
      (the best choice if the skin is broken)
    • Cooking spray, soft butter, or cooking oil
    • Shortening (lard)
    • Peanut butter -smooth, not chunky!! (may be a little sticky but works to get the ring off)
    • Soap and water
    • Baby Oil
    • Ring Release
  2. 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.

Elevation Method

  1. Elevate the arm. If you still can't remove the ring, try elevating the arm above shoulder level for a few minutes.

Cold Water Method

  1. Dip the hand in cool water. Have you noticed that your rings fit more loosely on cool days than hot ones? Place the hand in cool, but not ice cold, water and leave it there for a few minutes. It need not be painful to leave your hand in the water.

Dental Floss Method

  1. Slip one end of the dental floss under the ring. If necessary use a needle to get the dental floss under the ring.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
    • If the ring only goes partially off: Repeat the two previous steps from the rings current position.

After You Get the Ring Off

  1. Clean the area where the ring was and tend to any other injuries. Don't put the ring back on until it has been re sized or the swelling has gone down.

Tips

  • If the ring isn't stuck too tightly, here's a simple way to get it off with another person's help. Usually what gets rings stuck is the skin getting bunched up between the ring and knuckle, so if you can flatten the skin out there's a good chance the ring will pop off relatively easily. Simply get someone to pull your skin behind the ring back towards your hand, while you pull the ring off of your (lubricated) finger.
  • If your ring is stuck because skin bunches at the knuckle, hold the ring with your thumb and middle finger and use your index finger to pull the skin taught so the bunched skin is now under the ring. Let the ring use the bunched skin to slide over the knuckle.
  • If your ring had to be cut off, any worthwhile jeweler should know to wait at least two weeks before sizing your finger, so that your finger has time to heal.
  • Be patient. Don't panic if you can't take the ring off right away. It may take time and a couple of different approaches.
  • If you have tried every possible way to take the ring off and you still can't, take a metal filer of some sort and start to file a side of a ring. It may take some time to do that, but by the time there is a gap in the ring you could stretch out each side and take it off.
  • Take a long, cold shower or go outside if it's cold, to drop your body temperature. Don't overdo it, of course.
  • As the ring reaches your knuckle, press it against and move it as far up the joint on the inside as possible. This makes it much easier to then pull the ring over the knuckle on the top of your finger.
  • This works well when you need to remove your ring from fingers that are puffy in the morning.
  • If you must cut the ring off yourself, here's how. Try to get a Popsicle stick or some toothpicks between the ring and the skin to protect the finger. Slowly and carefully use a needle file to cut a groove through the ring. Needle files are available at any hardware store.
  • Always have the ring finger bent slightly as this reduces "bunching" of skin on the knuckle and therefore makes the knuckles slightly smaller.
  • 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 jeweller should have a set of sizing rings.
  • Don't worry about getting your ring cut off, if you need to. It takes seconds, does not hurt at all, and rings are very easy to repair. Don't damage your hand with a badly fitting ring—just go to the hospital, fire station or good jeweller. They will all remove it for you.
  • Wash your ring with warm water and soap. The slipperiness of the soap may loosen the ring and the heat of the water may cause it to expand a bit to loosen. Try to slowly twist it off to avoid the pain of tugging.
  • Use lubricants such as butter, cooking spray, or baby oil and rub all over the finger. This should help make the ring to come of easier.
  • Slowly twist the ring side to side, while gently pulling.

Warnings

  • Some types of window cleaner may contain ammonia and can hurt certain types of metals and gems. Be sure to check!
  • 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.
  • 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 definitely know what they're doing.
  • 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.
  • Most fire stations and emergency rooms have a tool that can cut the ring off in a matter of seconds, and you will still be able to take the ring to a jeweler for repair.

Things You'll Need

  • Windex or other Ammonia based Window cleaner, antibiotic cream, Petroleum jelly, hair conditioner, butter, cooking oil, cooking spray, hand lotion, petroleum jelly, shortening or soapy water.
  • Cold water
  • Dental floss
  • Ring Release
  • Lots of patience

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Sources and Citations

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