Over the past several weeks, I’ve developed this curious problem. I’m not sure what it is - so I thought I’d share. In September of 2005 I got engaged to the man I love.. the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. I have been wearing his ring since September 10, 2005. I love the ring - - it’s gorgeous and beautiful and I love wearing it!
Several weeks ago - I developed this itchy rash under the ring. I thought maybe something got underneath it.. like hand lotion or something that irritated my skin. So, I took the ring off and wore it on my right hand until the rash went away.
Since then, I’ve put it back on and taken it off a dozen times, cleaning the ring over and over each time - - and each time I put it back on, I develop this blister-like thing that itches like CRAZY! See the picture to the right - - that’s what it looks like today after wearing it all day yesterday.
Note: Wearing it on my right hand isn’t a problem. The skin on the ring finger of my right hand doesn’t do this.. just my left, wedding ring finger.
The band is platinum. It didn’t bug me at all up until a few weeks ago. What the hell?
The wedding is a little over 2 months away - - could this be psychosomatic? Could it be nerves? It’s gotta be a reaction to the metal in the ring? But why would it not bug me the first 7 months I wore it? And why wouldn’t it affect my right hand like that?
Does commitment make me blister??
My mom used to have that same problem. Unfortunately I don’t remember how she made it stop….
problem with the platinum ring… or commitment making her blister? lol
If commitment is the problem then I have it too but after 24 years of marriage, somehow I don’t think that’s it. This happens to me randomly as well. I thought it was soap or lotion or something getting under the ring myself. It would often take several washings for it to go away but I stayed away from chemical cleaners because I didn’t want to irritate it more. I’ve also noticed it happens when my rings aren’t loose. I don’t mean that they are tight either, I just mean that I notice this happens when I’m retaining water or whatever. If you figure it out let me know because I’ve suffered with this for many, many years on and off and I’ve never really found the answer either. At times I’d even get a watery blister. Yuck!
Well Jade - you’ve made me feel slightly better about this!
I will let you know if I find a solution to it
Well Jade,
You have several options: (Its strange that it is only your left ring finger)
1.) Cut your left ring finger off.
2.) Throw the ring away and just try living with your man.
3.) Try another guy AND ring. (not platinum)
4.) Call Dr. Phil and see what he thinks.
5.) Wrap the ring with Angora and then wear it.
6.) Try wearing it on your left middle finger. (If its not a problem, then its a left hand ring finger problem, at least you’ll look stylish flipping people the bird)
7.) Don’t wear a ring (Its the thought that counts, no?)
8.) Don’t Worry So much and go with the Flow.
9.) Scrap the whole idea of marriage, it may not be right 4 U.
I hope this helps, if not you can contact me:
jakruczek@netscape.net
If you’re reacting to the metal, try coating the inside with clear nail polish. I’m allergic to silver, but this little trick makes it possible for me to wear a silver ring without ill effect.
I had thhat happen under my ring finger last summer and thought it was a sign of bad things to come!
What it was was dirt (from sweat, and I know you’ve been doing a lot of that lately) collecting in tiny places under the setting. I soaked my ring in jewelry cleaning solution overnight, scrubbed the bejeezus out of it, and rinsed it with antibacterial soap. Let the ring air out, put neosporin on your finger once a day until it clears up, and then put your ring back on and you should be fine.
I didn’t even think about all the working out/sweating I’ve been doing lately. Leanne, you just might have the problem right there! I took the ring off yesterday and have been putting Benadryl cream on the spot since then - - cuz it itches like MAD!
Funny how Bendaryl doesn’t take away the itch at all - even though it’s supposed to.
This morning, the area is still red and raised… a little bit less itchy.. and is starting to peel. I think I’ll wait until it’s gone 100% before I try putting the ring back on.
I get that every once in a blue moon too..I find it happens when cleaners (I am assuming cleaners) get on the skin and then I let the ring set on the skin the skin itchs…And I hear you on the cream..I can take the blister look, but that itch is like a mosquito bite that just won’t stop!
You do need to let the air get to it without the ring! I hope it gets better soon!
I have a couple rings I wear all the time and neither are nearly the quality or importance of yours - so i understand you not wanting to go without it. Mine do cause irritation as well. I’m sort of a creature of habit and live by a similiar daily ritual, so I bagan taking my rings off in the evening and leaving them on my keyboard. Each morning after I shower and get ready for the day etc, usually as I’m ready to leave the house, I put them back on. And I quit wearing them whenever I do dirty work. HTH
I am so glad to hear that other people have this. Mine has affected my ring finger and pinky! I think my wedding band (eternity band)has completly irritated it! It has started peeling and is just gross!
This also happens to me. I think part of the problem might be that when I wash my hands there’s still a little bit of water under the ring and thus my finger there stays wetter longer. I have a ring with a setting that promotes little water droplets just hanging around. Try to make a habit of swaping the ring to another finger or moving it down your finger to really get that finger dry. Just STEP AWAY from the sink- don’t want to accidentally drop it down the drain
I have had exactly the smae thing. have worn two white gold rings since November 2004 then a month ago developed itchy rash. I think it’s water under the rings.
I took the rings off until the rash had gone COMPLETELY. I put lots of hand lotion on regularly & then put on the rings when all signs of the rash had gone. I’m now drying my hands very thoroughly after washing them and applying a barrier cream before replacing my rings. It’s working.
I had exactly the same problem with my rings. I’ve worn them for three years and then *poof* I get this rash. I took the rings off and they healed. I put them back on and it was back. I did some research on the net before going nutty on dermatoligists and creams (I don’t have insurance or money) and I read somewhere to boil the rings in 2 parts vinegar and 1 part peroxide for 15 minutes. For fear of creating a chemical explosion in my kitchen, I just boiled the rings in water for 15 minutes and guess what? IT’S GONE. ALL GONE. No damage to the diamonds or metal. I never take my rings off. The problem is fixed. I do all the stuff I used to do - workout with them on, sleep with them on, swim, shower, cook. You name it. Hope this helps.
I find this page very interesting. I decided to look online to see if anyone else suffered from this problem. I think I found the right page! Recently I noticed an exzema like rash under my wedding ring. And yes it does itch like crazy! I am thankful for all the nice advice everyone left. I am definitly going to try them! Good luck to all who battle this problem and I hope it goes away so we can all wear our rings which seal the vow of our marriages!
I am so grateful to have found this site. I have been battling this problem for a month now. I never had any probles with my engagement ring, but six months after wearing a wedding/engagement ring combo, I have developed these blisters. My theory was that water was getting trapped under my rings. So I didn’t wear the rings and kept applying hydrocortizone. Last night I wore them for the first time and the rash has returned. I will look into the boiling technique, but I am fearful of putting my beautiful rings in boiling water. Thanks for all the advice. We are not alone!
This is so interesting… I searched online as well to see if anyone else has this problem. Mine, like Danielle’s, started after I aquired my wedding band. I thought it might have been because of the swelling from summer heat, which made my rings tighter. I did the same as others - cured the rash. But once I put the rings back on, it came right back. Terribly annoying. I’m hoping it gets better in the winter. I might try the boiling technique. Seems I’ve tried everything else!
I’ve had the same problem for the last 3 1/2 months now. At this point, i have several tiny blisters on my ring finger. I have only been married for 18 months, therefore, I didn’t have problems until now. i just started to not wear my wedding ring today because my rash is getting worse. I’m going to try the hydrocortisone and neosporin for a couple days and see how it turns out. -
Here is an update on my situation. Since my post on Sept. 10, I stopped wearing my rings to let the blisters heal. I put hydrocortisone on but kept my finger uncovered. The blisters healed in a little over a week, and for the past couple of days I’ve been wearing my rings during the day. I take both rings off before I wash my hands, and then I completely dry my hands before putting them back on. So far this has worked. It has been a couple days already and the rash has not returned. I am hoping that this is the trick because I would really hate it if I could not wear them. Good luck ladies, and try this technique. It is working for me
I boiled my rings in water to sterilise them (having not worn them until the blisters had gone). No problem since. I think it’s a bacterial build up on the rings
I have had the same problem for about a year. I’ve tried to tough it out at times thinking it would just go away but it gets really bad. I’ve also stopped wearing my ring but I love my wedding band and really do want to wear it. I can heal the blisters and irritation with over the counter medication in a week or so but as soon as I put my rings on the irritation and blisters come back within a day or two then I get to see all the ugly peeling. I’ve even been to the Dermatologist who stated it’s eczema and gave me a prescrition cream that is worthless. I think I’ll try the boiling. I have to go to the dermatologist again this week for something else so I’ll ask advice again. If it’s good or it works I’ll share it with you guys. GOOD LUCK!!
I thought I’d pop in here and do an update. I took Debbie’s advice and boiled my rings in just pure water for about 15 minutes. I did that about a month and a half ago - - and I’ve been wearing my rings ever since with absolutely no rash whatsoever! I’m thrilled - thanks to Debbie for stopping by with such a great tip!
I’m going to try the boiling technique for sure. The dermatologist I saw today has no clue. Gave me a sample of hydrocortisone to put on it. Of course I’ve tried that plenty of times. I’ll update you after I boil them. Will it hurt white gold with diamonds?
If you can cut glass w/ diamonds - I don’t think some boiling water will hurt them
I boiled mine - - it’s a platinum band wtih a 2c. diamond - - came out perfectly and NO rash
yay!
I was a little nervous to boil my white gold ring too. So about 3 weeks ago I boiled water then poured it into a mug and then put my rings in it. I felt better about it not being on the stove. So far it has worked, but I also take my rings off now everytime I wash my hands. The blisters have not come back.
I am soooo happy to have found this blog!! I’ve had this rash on my ring finger for the last two months or so and I’ve attributed it to constantly having lotions or water trapped between the ring and my fingers (I’ve only had the rash since having my daughter, and since I have a 5 mo. old, I’m constantly washing my hands, and using lotions, etc.). I started to research and thought maybe a metal allergy, but the rings are platinum. Aquaphor clears it up, but it always returns after I put my rings back on. I’m going to put them in vinegar and boiling water and hopefully that will do the trick. I’m just so happy to see that this is so common…
I’ve had this same problem for the last 9mths (since my son was born) and thought that it might have been because the wedding ring was too tight, yet my engagement ring doesn’t cause the rash. Thanks to debbie for the boiling water advice. I’m glad its not just me going mad at this itchy and scratchy sore.
I have had this rash on my ring finger and it goes on to my pinky for a couple of years now. I wore my 14k gold wedding rings without a problem for at least 10 years and then Rash!! I told my husband that I must be allergic to the gold since nothing was clearing it up except removing the rings !!He bought me a white gold set of rings but that didnt do it so we bought a PLatinum set. I wore the rings for about a year NO PROBLEM- then RASH!!!! I cant wear them at all without the irritation and rash coming within hours of wearing them. I think I”M going to try boiling the rings after the rash clears up.
Wow, I had no idea that so many people had this same problem as myself. I have been engaged for a year and suddenly 3 months ago a rash appeared.It has progressively gotten worse and worse.I hate not wearing my ring but that seems to be the only thing that helps.However,the rash always comes back.It has gotten so bad that blisters have formed and it is becoming painful.I work at a resteraunt and I wash my hands ALL DAY LONG.The more I wash,the worse it gets.I’m going to stop wearing my ring until the rash clears up and try the boiling method and I’ll let you know how it works.
I have had the same thing happen to me, after wearing my rings for 6 years without a problem!!! Now it’s itchy and blistery,,,gross gross gross, but you are right the rash is unbearably itchy, I’m going to boil my rings right now!!
thank you so much,,
feel so much better to know that I am not ‘Allergic’ to my marraige,,
because i have NO problems with the ring on my right hand…WHY?
no idea!!!! but on the left hand,, THE RASH,,
going to try the boiling,,
thanks
tanya
I have had the same problem. My rash seems to be have started when I switched gyms. At first I wore my rings when I worked out and then the problem started. I thought soap, allergic reaction to new shampoo, whatever. So I started keeping my ring off and experimenting with not using or using certain products. My last bought of ring-finger occurred after I put my rings back on immediately after working out. I also saw something on the Today Show about how funky gym equipment can be. So, I am going to def. boil the rings, then not put them back on after I have gotten home from the gym.
Thank you so much for bringing this up. I have been searching
online for an answer to this and you guys and all your comments have
helped me tremendously. I thought it was a bad omen too, I’ve
been married for a year and a half and I’ve never had this problem, nor did I when we were engaged for over a year. I’m so glad it’s not just me!!!!!
Thanks,
Ashley
Oh my gosh, I am so glad I’m not the only one dealing with this! I had a horrible itchy red rash that resulted in my skin peeling off…and so I wasn’t wearing either of my rings for about two weeks to let it heal. It looked completely healed, so I started wearing just my engagement ring again…then that was fine so I put my wedding band on too and now it’s itchy and red and irritated again! A friend of mine is a dermatologist and she said it’s just from soap and water getting stuck under there, but I think it’s more than that. I’m going to try the boiling thing, and keep taking my rings off at night and when I wash my hands. I just can’t figure out why it was fine for 2.5 years and now it’s giving me trouble! Anyway, good luck to all of you and thanks for all the great ideas!
THANK YOU all so much for sharing this weird rash that I’ve nicknamed “ring worm”. Tonight I decided to google ring rash and this site came up. I’m going to boil my wedding rings and continue with the cortizone (neosprin made it worse). Thanks for all the helpful comments - it’s nice to know we’re not alone with this.
Oh wow! Thanks for this site! I have the same story as everyone else,I think the gym might have something to do with it! It sounds like boiling will be the best idea and maybe taking my ring off when working out at the gym or cleaning!
Thanks for all the tips! This is just the weirdest thing! I am in the same boat as you girls- I have worn my ring for two -three years and suddenly I developed the rash. (I wore a different wedding ring for close to twenty years and no problems at all) I - like others just took it off until the rash cleared up (often at least a week) and then would wear it again. Only to have the rash return. I too will try the boiling thing. I am so grateful that I am not alone!! It’s funny how we feel better knowing there are others in the same predicament hey? Thanks to all!
Hey everyone,
I thought that this was just a me problem, boy was I wrong. I am going into the kitchen right now to boil my rings. I will let you all know soon. Thanks and God Bless!!!!
I am so releived to find out that others are struggling with this as well. I’ve been married for 4 years and it didn’t happen until I had my son who is now 5 months old. I thought it as something with my hormones. Boiling sounds like the way to go. Thanks a ton because the thought of not being able to wear my ring was very sad.
I am so releived to find out that others are struggling with this as well. I’ve been married for 4 years and it didn’t happen until I had my son who is now 5 months old. I thought it as something with my hormones. Boiling sounds like the way to go. Thanks a ton because the thought of not being able to wear my ring was very sad.
So…. Everyone who rushed off to boil their rings…. what happened? Is everyone still married, as well? LOL.
I boiled mine over a month ago and have had ZERO problems ever since. It’s amazing
And yes, still married
I boiled my rings last night and I’m hoping for a miracle….let’s see how long I can wear them without the rash/blisters. I’ll let you guys know.
Day two after boiling and no rash/blister yet. I usually get the rash within a couple of hours after putting my ring on. So far so good ladies!
Thanks so much for your thoughts on ring rash. A few years ago I had it on my ring finger and managed to get rid of it with cortisoneand keeping the finger dry beneath the ring. Now, mysteriously I seem to have the same rash on my middle finger (no ring) and can’t seem to heal it, it just gets better and then worse again.
I boiled my rings a week ago and no rash yet….it’s great! I can wear my beautiful ring again.
Interesting, I’ve had problems with my ring since I received it 7 years ago. On and off I develop what looks like a callus, but it gets irritated. Only recently I was showing a friend my finger, when a person overheard and said she had actually gone to the doctor for the same itchy, peeling, blistery, rashy red ring finger - she was told it is Athlete’s Foot (fungus, in other words) that develops from the moisture, lotion, soap, etc. that gets under your ring.
I am so glad that I have come across this blog. I am 9 months pregnant and have had this ring rash problem for a month now, I seriously thought it was because of the skin changes during pregnancy, now I now that is just a coincidence. I will try to boil my platnum diamond ring and hopefully my problem will be solved. Thanks!
Kelly H.
I’m so glad I found ths site. I have been wearing my wedding rings for 7 1/2 years. I have the same “ring rash” as described by everyone here. I too ended up getting it shortly after my son was born. Ever since then I have taken off my rings to let my finger heal, and then it comes right back again after I put my rings back on. I am really upset about not being able to wear my rings.
I’m definitely going to try boiling mine too!
Thanks everyone for posting!
You ladies are fantastic.. I am in Australia and couldnt find anything here.. I thought I was alone with this dud finger that I would have to go see the Doc about.. sit in the waiting room with people who have REAL medical problems not just some blisters on their finger!! THANKYOU for this site.. i am going right now to boil my rings!!!
I decided to try someone else’s idea of boiling water in the microwave and then putting my ring in that water because I didn’t feel safe putting my ring on the stove.It has been 3 days and NO RASH!!! YEAH!!!! I will probably continue to do this every couple of weeks because I do not want that nasty rash to EVER come back! Thanks for the tips everyone!
Again, thanks everyone! Mine started as soon as I got the ring and then I moved to Salt Lake City. Within a couple of months, the rash stopped. I have been back in Canada for 6 months, no problems, head down to Florida, and it starts again. I had my ring cleaned by a jeweller, and cleaned it myself with ring cleaner, still getting the rash. I am going to try the boiling thing right now, I’ll keep you posted!
I’ve had my ring on for about 3 weeks now and no rash. I’m so happy! The boiling works like a charm. Thanks everyone.
Wow, a friend of mine passed along this site knowing I’ve been having ring issues. My situation is just like everyone’s, ring was fine for more than a year, then it just started getting really red and very itchy and then the skin peels off. I tried to make an appointment at the dermatologist and I couldn’t get an appointment for like 3 months so I bagged it. I’ll try the boiling, it sounds like it’s worked for others. Yay!
OMG! I can NOT believe how many of you had the same issue. I noticed this redness under my ring a few days ago and was like WHAT is that?It is definitely getting worse, not better. uugh. I told my DH to look at it tonight and we are both very intrigued by it. So my beautiful rings are off right now, which I hate, and the rash looks absolutely rediculous and is now raised slightly, so even if I wanted to wear my rings, I can’t. Is a blister to come?!? I have been wearing my wedding ring (platinum w/diamonds all around) and platinum engagement ring for 3 years with no issue. Had a baby and have been bathing her, using creams, etc. frequently, so maybe that is it. I am so thankful to hear about the boiling as the thought of going through the dermatologist trial and error routine is daunting ..will let you all know how I make out.
great to see this site! I agree that keeping rings clean seems to help but something else that i have noticed (have been married and wearing rings for 6 years) is that at about my 7th month of pregnancy with my second son, i started getting this rash that i had never had before and nothing would cure it - lotions, creams, prescriptions, etc under my rings and did not go away until i stopped nursing him at 6 months (i did not have a problem with a lot of pregnancy weight gain and loss so dont think it was a case of bigger fingers…). Now I am 6.5 months pregnant with my next child and it is starting again. i am definitely going to try the boiling but also wonder if there is some link to hormone levels as well…. thanks for all of your insight!
Does anyone here have a reaction to earrings as well?? I get the “ring rash” exactly as everyone has described here - but my ears also seem to have a reaction. When I take the earrings out and feel my earlobe it feels a little swollen and sore.. I don’t sleep in the earrings and I put them in a while after I’ve showered (and I can’t say I wash my ears at work..lol.. so its not like water is sitting under them..) and by the end of the same day I have this reaction. Anyone else have this??
Man- this site is great! This just started happening since I became preggo with my 2nd and it is driving me CRAZY! It itches so bad that I just want to scrtch my finger off. I am going to boil boil boil my rings and let my finger heals and hope that happens. I’d had never taken my wedding rings off until this happened- and I feel like I get weird looks from people wlaking around 7months preggo with no ring.
It’s so nice to know your not crazy!
I didn’t have an engagement ring at all, but my wedding ring is white gold and does the same thing.
It also doesn’t do it when I put it on my right hand… I think maybe at some point I’d worn it on the left so much it became sensitised, but it hasn’t been enough on the right hand yet?! Dunno.
I’m going to try the clear nail polish trick, and if that fails go and get the inside coated with some non-allergenic metal at my jeweller, because I love wearing it.
I’m definately not allergic to my marriage so I did alot of looking online and it seems like a very common problem. Just disappointing that the jewellers dont warn people before they buy their rings. Oh well.
Ciao.
Erin.
I can’t believe that this is so common. I thought I was the only one. I wore my engagement ring for 8mo and no problem then one day it was red and itchy. There were a few small blisters. I kept the ring off and I kept Neosporin and a band aid on it and it went away. I put the ring back on and it came right back. I have been wearing my engagement & band together and I have the rash again. It looks like a bright red tattoo around my finger. When it is starting to clear up it the skin starts flaking off. It is actually quite gross!! I hate not being able to wear my rings. I did buy a jewelery cleaner at the store and used it (wonder if that was the problem) I boiled some water and put my rings on a large serving spoon inside the water for about 10 minutes. After I got them out there was so much dirt and God knows what else in the water…and it cleaned them and they look brand new. So hopefully it killed any bacteria…When my finger completely heals I will try to wear them again. My engagement ring is channel set with a princess diamond in the middle, so there is a lot of room for water and etc. to get trapped under there…Let’s hope it works!!
Praise the Lord, I have had this exact problem for a about 5 weeks and it started after I used the jewelry cleaner and didnt rinse my rings off properly. So I thought that was the problem, I then thought it had to do with me being pregnant as everyone else told me. I also noticed that, to me, not my husband of course that my finger and ring had a slight mildewy odor. Yes I said Mildewy, and so I took it off switched fingers and no problem I wash the ring everytime I wash my hand I was proud if it, I was beginning to think it was because by Engagement Ring is 18K and my band was 10K, but now I know the true story. BOIL THE RINGS AND REMOVE AT NIGHT!!!!! Thank you all for you input and thank you Lisa for posting this site.
Ugh and Ugh, My finger looks half red and half normal…all they way from the base of my finger spreading between my fingers up to my knuckle…so nasty. Worn white gold ring for 3 years now!
I cannot beilive that people had this same problem…I too developed this Ring Rash after my baby was born probably because I live at the sink making bottles and washing bottles..I have just boiled my ring and I will clean the daylights out of it too and wait for this dreadfull rash to clear…and cancell the dermatoligist apointment.screw that.I would like to hear if anything really worked for good….keep scratching….
This is incredible…….so many of us dealing with this nasty rash thing. My wedding band started driving me insane with this red, itchy rash that was making the skin peel and crack. YUCK. Like many of you, had been wearing it a long time with no problem.
I too wonder if it could be related to hormones, ‘cuz this started while I was pregnant……now I’m nursing and it hasn’t stopped. I’m gonna try the boiling thing, but I wonder if prego/nursing hormones make you more sensitive than normal.
Thanks for the post! Very helpful.
Well… I’m off to get out a small pot to try the boiling technique. My wedding band is white gold, with 3X.125 princess diamonds across the top in a channel setting. I think what happens is the bacteria gets trapped between my skin and the underside of the ‘channel’ and a friend had suggested that there was probably bacteria was building up. Another friend also suggested that maybe I was allergic to being married (it’s only been 6 months!). I hadn’t thought of trying sterilize the ring so I’m going to try that and will be sure to report back - hopefully it works! Thanks to everyone for sharing their ring rash stories
I’m so thrilled to find this site - I’ve been suffering from the “allergic to ring” fling for 3 months! I too wore my ring for over a year and had no problem — i’ve done the same yo-yo of ring on, ring off, and over the counter meds. I did find that pouring vinegar directly on my finger did soothe the blisters — as did tea tree oil. I’m headed to my stove w/ a pot of water ;o) Thanks again! — Courtney
This site has been so helpful. I was fine wearing my ring for a long time until I was pregnant with my 3rd son. I got “the rash”. I also thought it was from too much hand washing and not drying well enough. I have been using Aveeno lotion which really seems to help. I haven’t worn my ring in 4 days and it seems to be getting better, but I am scared to put my rings back on. I am going to try the boiling water and hope that works. Thanks for all the helpful advice and just knowing I’m not alone has made me feel so much better.
i have been married for 35 years and my rings on my other hand which i have had for years have just started with the same problem i am unable to wear them for more that a couple of hours, idont no the answer to the problem, just thought id let you no i have the same trouble
I ended up buying a replacement ring to wear (tungsten carbide) after battling this ring rash for months to no avail. I’ve not had a single problem with the new ring since I got it 6 months ago, but I’ll definately have to try boiling my original band and see if that fixes the problem with it. I wish I had found this thread before buying a surrogate ring!
I have had my wedding ring now for over 5 years and I never take it off. I have had 2 kids in the last 3 years and all of a sudden this ring is giving me problems. I know it is from being in the water and different lotions and sweating from working out but it never bothered before and all of these occurrences are routine. I will try to boil the ring. I Hope it works bc I am sick of the redness and before I got on this website I was thinking it was some kind of fungi/athletes foot type thing. I am glad I found this site and how common this problem is. Funny how it is happening now after all this time.
** Follow-up to post #69 - Jan 13th **
Ok, so I boiled my ring and treated my rash. While the rash was healing I wore my ring on my other hand. Some friends at work seemed a bit confused until I told them the story.
Anyway, the rash seems to have cleared up and I now take my ring off when I wash my hands and I’m also sure to dry my finger thoroughly. I also take my ring off at night before I go to bed. Yes - that’s what’s the wierdest part as I was very adamant on wearing my ring 100% of the time. Oh well… now I just have to hope I don’t forget it in a public restroom or accidentially toss it in the trash. Wish me luck!
hi, just wanted to say that i have been married 12 years…all of a sudden got the “ring rash” from my white gold rings. tried everything including boiling the ring. i let the rash clear completely, boiled the ring and tried to wear it again. i am sad to say this did not work for me. about 6 hours after wearing the ring, the rash came back and my finger began to hurt. i am so happy for those of you that this has worked for but thought i would let you know that boiling is not a full proof method…i am so sad about my rings…
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Danielle!!!!!! I have the same thing going on with the ring finger. The rashes have come and gone sporadically since I’ve been wearing them non stop(6 mo). I also have a platinum ring,1.5 carat, and am a little worried about the boiling water deal, but I’ve got to try it! The blister has become so large and swollen it looks like an alien landed inside the skin and has now erupted slightly with little oozing.GROSSSS!
Ditto, Ditto, Ditto!! I have the same thing - itchy, red, dry, flaky, sometimes oozy, and tiny blisters all over my ring finger. Oh, did I mention it itches like a mother F??? I have a diamond ring and a wedding band (both platinum). The band has channels where small diamonds sit, like many others have said. This causes water, soap, bacteria, dirt, and God knows what else to settle in there. I, too, noticed a faint “mildewy” smell on my ring finger once - yuck! I teach elem. school and wash my hands constantly. Thought that was the problem (and it might be partly), but I think there’s more to it. I’m also pregnant now and my entire body itches; therefore, my “ring rot” is a million times worse. I want to scratch a hole in my finger. It’s truly awful and irritating. For the finger treatment, I wash my hands before bed with non-scented, non-lotiony, non-perfumed soap, then dry completely. Then, I put Neosporin all around it and cover in gauze. Then, I use medical tape and tape down the gauze so it’ll stay. I look like a damn burn victim, but regular band aids are a joke and fall off. For the ring treatment, I’ve tried a cheap liquid jewelry cleaner, an expensive jewelry cleaning kit ith spcial chemicals, and having the jeweler try to clean it (they are stupid - they just buffed it but didn’t actually clean it). None of these worked. I plan to try the boiling water and/or vinegar solution. Can’t hurt! While I’m not exactly sure what’s causing it, I know scented lotions, perfumy shampoos, and other “tutti-fruitti” substances don’t help at all….only worsens it and dries it out. And not to sound like a prude, but forget the dermatologist. What a waste of my time! The round and round, trial and error game gets annoying after 6 months of waiting to see if the latest cream or treatment works. I’ve had this problem for years, and when he said, “Try some over the counter hydrocortisone cream” I just laughed at him. He was clueless. So glad I found this site and I’m not the only one. Good luck. I hope boiling my rings will help.
UPDATE! Since posting my blog 11 days ago, I am now wearing the rings without any problems.
I left the rings off while the blisters dried up and healed. Very IMPORTANT! Then used boiling water over the rings in a small coffee cup about 6 times( I was not taking any chances). I’ve been wearing the rings about 4 days now without any complications. I’ve also been taking them off when I wash my hands just to avoid any excess moisture from building. I really believe that this works. I’m also going to boil some water over the rings once a month to avoid the blisters ever again!
Thanks all for posting the problem and suggestions for solutions! I think I owe it to Debbie! After re-reading some comments it looks like she suggested the solution. Thanks Lisa, for the brave idea to post the horrible problem that- lets face it so many of us privately suffer in silence. Thanks again!!!Yayyy!!!
I’m pretty glad I posted it too (even IF the picture is really gross lol)
Glad to know the comments here helped - they helped me too.
I am completely shocked that I am not alone. What gets me is that with all of us having this problem why the jewelers don’t tell us. I took my ring back to the jeweler and asked them. When I told them that I previously wore a white gold class ring on the same finger he was stunned. He said maybe I developed an allergy over time and suggested that I buy a platinum ring. Instead of helping they just want the money. I was so fed up I pretty much gave up trying to wear my rings eventho I love them so. It got so bad I jokingly/seriously asked my hubby to cut my finger off LOL because it itched so much. Thanx Lisa for starting this blog. I pray to God that the boiling helps because I cant take not being able to wear my rings. I’ll keep you all posted.
I started to get the “rash” under my wedding band only, I wear a total of 5 rings, after my husband and I began having marital problems. The worse our problems, the worse my rash was, and when he was cheating on me, it appeared I had a flaming red ring on my finger that burned and burned. I had no idea what it was and began to believe it was a sign from God to head for the hills once I discovered what he was up to. We split up and I stopped wearing my ring about a year ago. My finger no longer has the red ring, but it does have a permanent scar from when it was red. It now looks like I just took my ring off. Glad to know there is an actual cause to this problem other than a message from God!
OH man read this webpage awhile back when my ring finger was beyond nasty…I had no clue what to do….
Well I hope everyone takes the boiling your ring advice….boil water and put in a mug…like the one woman did….(SSflemming)just so you dont have a ring in a pot of molten lava…BUT I had to let my finger heal FIRST cant preach how important that is! and keept my ring in a safe place for a WEEK.. but once finger is healed you are good to go! NO rash since! Sometimes I remove my ring when I wash dishes..but no rash its been a couple months! somthing so simple! and I had an apt with the dermatoligist! fer-get-it! Saved my finger!! yippie! NO amputations yet!
Hello, you don’t know me and I don’t know you, but I just googled “itchy red rash, wedding ring” because I’m having the EXACT same problem you are. Your site popped up and I can’t believe the similarities. I’ve been wearing my wedding ring for almost 20 years, although 9 years ago we had the ring redesigned and reset so that now the band is wider, but I haven’t had any problems until about 2 months ago. Suddenly I can’t wear the ring at all without having this problem. A friend of mind told me I should get the ring coated in chromium, but I haven’t checked into it yet. Weird!
Hello All!! I also have the same problem….a red dry itchy ring finger!!! When it first happened about a month ago…. I wasn’t sure what caused it, but not wearing them for a few days and LOTS of moisturizer cleared it right up for a few weeks. Then last night, I woke up in the middle of the night and it was itching like CRAZY and I woke up to the same rash again this morning. Then I realized that yesterday I brought my rings into my jewelers to have them cleaned…thinking I’d get rid of any bacteria/dirt under them once and for all….BUT now its back!!! Im not sure if its the cleaner…but thats the only thing I can think of because it was fine until then!!! Anyways, I’d definitely stay away from jewelery cleaners and I am gonna try putting my rings in the boiling water….THANKS FOR ALL THE ADVICE….and hope mine helps!!!
I had this same thing happen and it was due to using Dawn dishwasher soap which an excellent grease remover - but it also removes the oils from your hands and can cause a rash that itches and makes your finger sweat. Someone else told me this and sure enough - as soon as I stopped using this dishsoap - the rash stopped.
I tried accupunture to get rid of my rash. They told me I was allergic to the gold. It didn’t help–but cleaning the ring more often did! Glad I’m not alone!
I’m SO glad I found this page! I’ve been having this problem for several months now. My kids are 16 and 21 so it’s not new-Mom hormones but like many of you here, my ring set is also white gold, channel-set with a raised center stone (so lots of “dome” to catch moisture)… I’d worn the rings for approx. 6-7 months before having any problem but I have gained a few lbs so while the ring isn’t uncomfortably tight, it IS more snug than before, so I figured it was trapped moisture - especially since with the skin peeling, it looked “chapped”. My finger now sports a “scarlet” band - which I treat with thick unscented moisturizing cream by day and neosporin at night during the peely state, I slip my old basic (solid/flat-bottom) white gold band over the neosporin so it stays on the skin during the night… That’s the weirdest part… I can wear the basic band (white gold) even WHILE it’s rashy and it doesn’t prevent the healing - BUT I cannot wear the more expensive wedding set that is also white gold. This is why I don’t think it’s an allergy in my case.
I wore my nice ring out yesterday for the first time in a month and had the jeweler “clean” it (but apparently - since today I have the itchy blistery rash again - they don’t disinfect when they clean as I thought they did)… I was so afraid I was somehow allergic to this ring that I love so much (My husband just gave me for our anniversary last fall)… I waited 21 years for him to surprise me with a ring HE chose and purchased on his own and I was hating the thought I wouldn’t be able to wear it…
I’m going to try the boiled water/coffee cup trick as soon as my finger’s healed and will wear my plain band to hide my “scarlett finger” in the meantime.
Thanks again for posting this - You’ve given me hope again!
To find these comments has helped me so very much! I have worn my beautiful diamond wedding ring for six years and just three weeks ago the very same red itchy rash everyone else is describing has happened to me. I’m nursing my second baby who is nine months old now but unlike before, my ring with channel set diamonds flanking the center stone is a tad bit snug now. I am going to try the boiling method while my scarlet banded finger heals and I think trying to loose a few pounds wouldn’t hurt my cause either. Thanks to all the ladies for sharing their stories.
Its got to be hormone related. I didn’t think anyone else had this problem. I had it so bad after my daughter was born. Then had the exact same thing 2 years later right after my son was born. Its been almost two years and now I have it again. Never thought of boiling my rings but am going to go do it right now. The rash is extremely itchy.
This site is so helpful! Thanks to all the ladies and their comments. I have been having the same problem with redness and dry skin under my wedding rings. I consulted a pharmacist and she recommended hydrocortisone cream which has worked very well. She had the same problem and said to make sure your finger is dry after washing. Also don’t wear them when gardening or using cleaning products. It seems to be a combination of moisture and bacteria trapped under rings. Also mine had become tight from weight gain which didn’t help matters. I would also suggest cleaning rings in amonia solution weekly to stop build up of irritants that collect under your rings. I believe this happened because I was not taking mine OFF to clean them regulary like I used. I am on the mend now and will be cleaning and disinfecting rings before I put them back on. So glad to get all the info from everyone. Thank you!
I am glad I found this site. I have on my wedding finger raised bumps that become itchy and now after one week it has gone to my right hand up the top near my palm. What is it? I just want it gone.
I am a beautician by trade and have to wash my hands regulary now I am using a soap free soap wash and have to leave my rings off although I don’t want to. I take them off when having a shower and put them on the other hand making sure it is completely dry. Although I have the same thing on the other hand where one can’t wear rings. Does anyone know what it is and if it is contageous??
I am back to report (my comment is number 90) that I boiled my ring that very day and let my finger heal completely before I put it back on and I haven’t had a problem yet. Everyone’s comments were most helpful.
For Sienna, comment number 93, I suggest you make an appointment with a dermatologist to be safe.
Update - My initial post was #89 - I poured boiling water over my ring in a coffee mug and let it sit in there for 15 minutes, then allowed it to dry completely and put it safely away while my finger healed.
I’ve been wearing it for over a week now with no problems! I am more careful to take it off before washing my hands and allowing my hands to be completely dry before putting it back on and I no longer wear it to bed either - at least until I loose weight again.
I also plan to re-boil it every month or so as a preventative measure.
I want to THANK you again for posting this!
just wanted to say that i’ve only been wearing my wedding band for a few days, and already i’ve developed this ring rash…it isn’t just for ladies.
i actually started getting it a couple of years back when i was wearing a sterling silver ring, so i stopped wearing it. my wedding band is tungsten carbide, and after only 3 days, the rash has started.
i think it probably has something to do with moisture underneath the band, but i have no idea.
however, i did want to add this to the conversation…
the melting point for gold is 1947.52 °F…far above the 212 °F it takes to boil water.
also, i diamond has a melting point of 3820 degrees Kelvin…that is 6416.6 °F.
the gold and diamond bands should be just fine in boiling water.
some other melting points…
tungsten carbide = 5198 °F
platinum = 3225°F
titanium = 3034 °F
white gold is often times yellow gold plated in rhodium…and rhodium has a melting point of 3567 °F
boil away!!
Leave it to the guy to bring in the scientific information about ring boiling! Haha.
Thanks, Dave - this is actually good info for those worried that boiling their rings would harm the metal or the jewel!
I get them all the time on my right hand usually on my pointer finger and just inside my pointer and middle fingers. I use a lot of cortizone 10 and elidel to help with the itching
Best of luck cause i have no idea what it is either
I’m so glad I found this site. I just heard from a friend this weekend that the bump on my finger (which is literally identical to the pic posted) was from moisture caught under my wedding band. I took my rings off yesterday and have been wearing them around my neck until this heals (just put hydrocortisone on it today, hoping this speeds it up).
I’m definitely going to boil the rings tonight - does anyone have an estimate for about how long it took the blister(s) to heal before they could put their ring(s) back on? I obviously want to wait until they’re completely gone as not to defeat the purpose of making the blisters go away, but at the same time, it’s killing me not to have my rings on!! I hate looking down at my naked finger!
Also, has anyone tried the original suggestion of vinegar and peroxide? I have both those things but am a little nervous about boiling them - would those fumes be dangerous to breathe in? Is there *any* benefit to the vinegar/peroxide mix over the just-plain-H2O mix?
I had had repeat episodes of this before finding the solution here so I let my finger heal AND waited until the skin was completely soft again before attempting to wear my ring again.
I didn’t try the peroxide/vinegar, but I did put my ring (white gold vermeil) in a coffee mug and poured kettle-boiled water over the ring (rather than putting my ring on the stove)…
Worked like a charm and did NOT damage the ring. I am also careful to take the ring off when I wash my hands and before bed at night (at least until I lose enough weight that it’s a looser fit again).
For what it’s worth, I tried the vinegar/peroxide boil last night - DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME, KIDS! The fumes were absolutely horrendous (and left some mysterious sludge at the bottom of the pot). I dumped it and did the kettle water in a cup. I’ve only had my ring off for two days so I can’t wear the rings quite yet (though it is looking a bit better with some hydrocortisone cream applied 1x/day), but hopefully it will do the trick.
Seriously, though, the vinegar and peroxide? Unless you’re boiling it outside, don’t do it. Even with the fan going full blast and the windows open it was awful.
Hi Ladies-
Like everyone else has said, I am so happy I came across this site! I have been suffering with the same itchy, red, blistery ring finger for about a year now. I too think it must be all the soap, lotion and other gunk that gets stuck under my rings…I have been putting off going to the doctor and I am hoping that the boiling trick will work! I am boiling my rings right now and am going to leave them off for a week to allow my finger to heal. I will let everyone know how I make out. THANK YOU!! I am so thrilled to have found a solution!!! Good luck to you all and thanks for sharing!