Figure 1. How to remove a ring from a swollen finger with a thread
There are many situations when it becomes necessary to remove the ring from a swollen finger. This is an increase in finger volume with weight gain, and swelling due to heat or health problems (kidney or heart edema, rheumatic diseases). Finally, swollen fingers are very often encountered by pregnant women. At first, future moms do not want to remove the wedding band, and then comes the moment when the ring “intentionally” stuck on the finger and can not be removed.
Representatives of the stronger half of humanity more often find themselves with swollen fingers because of injuries: fractures, bruises, dislocations – all this leads to severe swelling. The ring begins to squeeze the finger, which further increases pain and swelling.
If such an unpleasantness has befallen you, and the ring has become small, try to remove the jewelry in the following ways.
Method 1 – Twisting motions
The very first suggest trying the method of removing the ring by twisting it from the finger. The movements are as if you are unscrewing a nut. It is longer than just pulling the ring strictly to the nail, but this way the chances of freeing the finger are significantly increased. The same principle can be used in combination with other methods!
Method 2 – Soap, greasy cream, oils
It is often possible to remove the ring simply by reducing friction. To do this, you need to soap your finger or lubricate it. Fat cream, cosmetic, massage or even vegetable oil will do. In short, anything that will make your finger more slippery. Try removing the ring. If it still goes on tight, use the rotating motions from the first method.
Method 3 – Cold and Altitude
Cold can help to relieve swelling from your finger. You can hold your finger under cold water for 7-10 minutes or apply ice (a bag of frozen vegetables will work too). The swelling will go down a little, and the ring will be easier to remove from the finger.
Raising your hand above head level also helps to reduce finger swelling. Blood and lymph under the influence of gravity will flow away from the limb, and the ring will be easier to remove.
Method 4 – Salt baths
If the situation is not critical: there is no large swelling, violation of the integrity of the skin, severe pain, then try to make a cool salt bath. For one glass of water dilute one tablespoon of salt. Sea salt or food salt. Hold your hand in the solution for 10-15 minutes. Salt is good for relieving inflammation of various etiologies and swelling. After – lubricate your finger with soap or cream and try rotating movements to remove the ring.
Method 5 – Saving thread
If none of the above methods did not help – it remains only to wrap the finger with a thread. It is best to take silk or kapron. A good option – dental floss: it is strong and thin.
You will need about 1 meter of thread. Put one end under the ring so that there is a “tail” of 5-10 cm.
Fig. 2. Thread the thread under the ring
Wrap the remaining thread tightly around the finger, moving from the location of the ring towards the nail. It is important to wind the thread very tightly, leaving no gaps and pulling the finger tight. Very carefully pay attention to the “bandaging” of the joint: most often it is through it that the ring can not pass.
Pay attention! Pain sensations are possible, but they should not be too intense. Do not through tears to wind the thread!
After the finger is wrapped, take the free end of the thread from the side of the hand and start unwinding the thread. The ring will shift toward the nail as you do this. After it has passed the joint, it will be easy to remove the jewelry.
Fig. 3. Pull the end of the thread to remove the ring
What to do if the ring cannot be removed
Contact a doctor or the emergency department. They will cut the ring with a special tool. Yes, the jewelry will be ruined. But no jewelry is not worth your health!
How to increase the size of the ring
If the increase in the thickness of the fingers is a constant phenomenon, then the size of the ring should be increased. You can do this in a jewelry workshop. However, you will need to consult a specialist beforehand: jewelry without inserts lends itself well to rolling. But rings with stones can not always be increased in size: there is a possibility that this will violate the attachment of precious minerals. In this case, it will be better to move the ring to another finger of smaller size. Or order a similar ring to be made, but in a suitable size. Our jewelers can help with the latter: they will study your ring and make a full copy, only enlarged size. So that no one will even guess about the substitution, and your fingers will finally be comfortable and safe.