Does Commitment Make Me Blister?

My mom used to have that same problem. Unfortunately I don’t remember how she made it stop….

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 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

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 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! 8-}
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

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 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 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!

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. –

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’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?

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’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. 🙂

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.

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.

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!

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!

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 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.

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.

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’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!

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!

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.

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.

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??

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.

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.

:d I came on the web today specifically looking for help about my ‘ring rash’. I’ve worn my ring for 18 years and now the RASH! when it began to hurt I took off the ring and soaked overnight in rubbing alcohol and allowed the rash to heal. I’d put it back on and the RASH would return in just a few days. I will also be trying the ‘boil the ring’ method. I am so glag I logged on to learn this! Thanks to those who orginally posted and all the contributors.

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 🙂

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 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!

** 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!

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!

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 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. :)>-

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 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’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!

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.

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??

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!

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’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?

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.

I had been married for six years before I got this rash. It seems correlated with gardening. It’s not just under my ring–it’s all over my ring finger, but only on my ring finger. And it gets much worse after I touch some plants (Houston).

I’ll try this boiling business, but I’m skeptical!

:)I am so glad that I came across this site. I have been suffering from this problem for about 3 1/2 months now. I wore my ring for over a year before I developed this rash. I too have healed my finger more than once with ointments only to put the ring back on and have the rash come back. I am definitely going to try the boiling technique and will take the rings off until my finger is completely healed. I will keep posted on the outcome.

Thanks so much for your blog entry! Who would have known that you would have had such a tremendous response! I have boiled both my wedding band and engagement ring today… I also had discussed my rash with my mom and she suggested boiling my rings. It was weird because the rash just started after I went to the jeweller to have my engagement ring sized smaller and he cleaned my rings. My fingers are crossed that this works! Thanks again!

I am happy to hear that it happens to many people. My fiance lives overseas at the moment and I feel bad that I can’t wear my ring.

For what it’s worth, I boiled my rings and applied neosporin for about four days but then put my rings back on and the rash came right back. It’s tough to be without my wedding band/engagment ring (they don’t fit on my right hand) but this time I’m waiting until the bump is 100% gone before I try it again.

Also, I tried the vinegar/peroxide/water boil and the fumes almost knocked me out (with all the windows open and the fan on) and it left some nasty brown scum on the bottom of my pot that I can’t get off. I DO NOT RECOMMEND BOILING VINEGAR + PEROXIDE, even highly diluted.

For those who kept their rings off/neosporin on, about how long until you could put your ring back on? It’s been about four days for me now and it’s a *little* better but not a ton better. I hate not having my ring on!

I am boiling my rings right now!! I really hope this works! I have been wearing my rings for 4 years (since I was 13) and a few months ago i just started to get a rash on my middle finger and the finger next to it. I thought this was really odd as I normally wear 6 rings altogether (All on diffrent fingers) but its only those two that have gone like this. If this doesnt work I think I might try the clear nail varnish trick!! I’m so pleased I am not the only one with this problem. 🙂

Kris, if yours is coming back, you may want to try waiting a full 4 weeks before putting your rings back on after the next break-out… And remove the rings anytime you wash your hands until you’ve *completely* dried your hands.
I had countless re-occurrances of the rash before finding this page… Since boiling my rings in April, I haven’t had any sign of rash (and I haven’t boiled monthly for prevention as I originally intended!)

The cause of most of these ring rash problems (where you’re NOT allergic to the metal) is due to a bacterial fungus growing on the underside of the ring. If you’re have monthly rashes then you’re not giving your body enough time to completely KILL the bacteria.

Try a full 4 weeks without the rings and see if that stops the monthly rashes.

Yeah – so excited to have found this blog. I have been trying all types of solutions – I did the clear polish for a while and that seemed to work but then the ring became so small b/c I was scared to put remover on the ring. I just boiled them in vinegar and water and was able to peel off the polish… I hope this works! I think it defintely happens to people w/ rings that have a chanel type setting so bacteria, etc… gets caught in there. Thanks for all the info!

Ladies, thank you for the fabulous advice. I have been married over 14 years, so I know the mysterious rash is not an allergy to commitment. I battled with a rash on my wedding ring for several weeks. I kept thinking it was a bit of moisture under the bands. I would take off my rings for a few days, the rash would get better. I would put them back on and the rash would be back with a vengeance! I am so glad that I found this blog. I took your advice and boiled my rings and set them in my jewelry box for a week while I applied Lamisil athletes foot cream to my finger. The rash disappeared almost immediately. My rings are happily back on my finger sans rash!
Thanks!
Michelle (Wife of 14 1/2 years and mother of 3)
http://www.ThreeGirlyGirls.com

Be sure to give your finger plenty of time to heal – Wait an extra 1-2 weeks AFTER there’s no sign of the rash (It can lay dormant until you put the ring back on!) before attempting to wear your freshly boiled rings.

To answer your question about ring sizing up… As long as the diamonds don’t go all the way around the band, then Yes, it CAN be sized up… That was the ONLY solution offered by my jeweler when I was suffering from this. It’s more expensive because you’re paying for the extra gold, platinum, etc. as well as the labor. It won’t cure the bacteria that causes the rash, but if you give your finger enough time to heal, then making your ring more loose will help prevent reoccurrances (Though I’d still be tempted to boil my ring every now and then).

I don’t think it’s just a left-hand finger problem… I suspect that’s just a coincidence… The culprit nearly always seems to be rings with a channel-setting because the underside of that design – when the fit is snug – allows the bacteria to grow.

It just so happens that more wedding rings than right-hand rings are channel-set.

Wow, and here I thought I was the only one allergic to marriage as well…

I have been wearing my wedding band and engagement ring together for three years with no problem. I moved to another country with a tropical climate and starting working out every day. I also no longer have a dishwasher so I must wash things by hand. And then the infamous ring rash appeared and wouldn’t go away unless I left my rings off for almost a month. It’s gone now but I’m afraid to put them back on!

I just boiled my rings and hope this works..Afterward I wondered if anyone thought of small inclusions in the diamond might expand more due to the high heat. Has anyone heard of that happening??

I’ve been wearing my wedding bands for over 12 years and just recently, have the SAME problem with the red rash and itching underneath them. I agree that it’s probably a fungal thing from the trapped moisture. My hands are always in water! I’m going to try boiling my rings to kill any crud that might be attached to them and then I’m going to put an antifungal(over-the-counter) cream on my finger and let it heal before putting the rings back on.

Wow – incredible! I identified with so many of these posts. I’ve been wearing my rings for 6 years day and night without problems, then suddently this extreme redness & itchiness appears, sometimes getting all puffy. It’s been on and off (mostly on) for the past couple of weeks.

I noticed some of the trends mentioned that are true for me: I’m still nursing my second child (happened at 11 months of age) so I’m guessing hormones play into this. I do wash my hands a lot, though I have been doing this since my first child 3 years ago without any problems. Weather has been hot and humid since this started which also seems to be a connection for others. And finally, I did soak my ring for over a day in jewelry cleaner shortly before this whole ring mess started, but I’ve washed the ring and my finger and it still persists.

Well, I’m off to try the boiling approach… wish me luck!

i can’t believe this blog has touched on such a huge issue and is still getting comments over a year later!

but i wanted to thank everyone for their advice, especially jess (#130). i had suspected that it had something to do with the summertime as well, since my problem only pops up then. the boiling seems to work for me and i also have one of those ultrasonic jewelry cleaners that gets any soap or lotion out of the holes beneath the channel set diamonds. and i make sure to boil it every few weeks as a precaution. i will also try the multivitamin too. it can’t hurt right?

thanks again, everyone and good luck.

UPDATE: I was a previous poster at #116 and #124. Boiling my ring worked perfectly! HOWEVER, it’s been about six weeks, and the rash is just starting again. I’m boiling my ring again and letting my finger heal. The lesson here is to perhaps disinfect once a month. But it definitely works!!!

I previously posted #107. I can say that the boiling really worked. I also found that sometimes, when I am retaining water and my fingers are a little swollen, my ring starts to bother me again. Drink lots of water and make sure to keep your rings clean ladies!

Hello Ladies-
I am very excited to report that my ring finger is back to normal!! I had dealt with itchy, scally, blistering skin on my ring finger for almost a year. It finally got to the point where I could no longer wear my ring. I went to the dermatologist b/c my OTC cortizone cream was having no effect. She told me I had ezema and gave me a cream for it. I did not wear my ring for about 2 wks and applied the cream 2-3 times a day. I did boil my ring before wearing it again. Now, every time I was my hands, I remove my rings first and dry them completely before putting my rings back on. So far, my skin has not broken out again and I couldn’t be happier!! Good luck to you all.

OMG! I was searching to find out what was causing this red, itchy rash…unlike most, it didn’t start with my wedding band, but on my pinky ring. Then it spread.

I figured it had to be something with the chemicals in the pool we have, but none of the rings on my right had had this issue – I’d thought it was just the new rings on my left hand. (just got married in December) I’ve taken all of my rings off, moved my wedding set to my right hand, and am (IM)patiently waiting for the rashes to heal. In the meantime, I boiled my wedding set before moving it to my left hand. I hope the sanitization technique works, b/c I really miss wearing my rings…

I had my wedding rings for 2 years before I started to get a rash. I thought it was posion ivy at first. But every time I put my rings back on it would come back. I tried every lotion out there to clear it up.

The only thing that stopped the itching and cleared up the rash was peorixide. I would get a cotton ball soaked in peorixide and rub it on the rash until the blisters broke. It burns at first but the peorixide dries it out quick and stops the itching fast.

I just got done boiling my rings. I’m going to wait unitl my rash is completly gone before I try to put them back on.

I hope it works, I realllyyy miss wearing my rings.

Does anyone know if the boiling water tip works on sterling silver? That’s the metal that seems to bother me the most.

Thanks!

I can’t wait to get home tonight and boil my rings! My rash just appeared this week, but it’s already annoying. I remember this happening to my mother and she just gave up wearing rings all together. The blister is still small; I hope it heals fast. has anyone come across any side effects of boiling their rings??

First of all my thanks to Lisa for posting her problem, and second of all, thank you to Debbie for coming up with a solution to what seems like quite a universal problem (9,095 views!). I just got done telling my friend the other day about my rash. I told her I had this about 30 years ago, and switched my wedding band to a thin one, which seemed to help. For our 25th Wedding Anniversary my husband reset my diamond and gave me a matching wedding band, both with a band of diamonds. Lots of nooks and crannies underneath. About three weeks ago, guess what came back . . . I’ve been wearing the set for seven years. Go figure! I, too, tried soaking my rings overnight in alcohol, jewelry cleaner . . . I am boiling my water right now. Thanks again, Debbie, for sharing your remedy. Looks like you’ve put a bunch of 🙂 on lots of girls faces. By the way, why don’t men get these curses ? ? ? ! ! ! (I think there may be one man in these posts, maybe!)

Helene, you said “By the way, why don’t men get these curses ? ? ? ! ! ! (I think there may be one man in these posts, maybe!” After posting I went back to read what was said since I posted last. I have to tell you, My Fiance’ has the same problem with the promise ring I got him. He had not worn it in months and I couldn’t understand what was going on why the rash on his finger, till mine came a few moths later. I found this sight and I boiled both of our rings that day. Men get it too
🙂

I too am surprised at all the women with this problem. I also googled ring rash. I saw on the net that 1 in 8 people have a mild allergic reaction to the nickle in white gold. So I thought I had to go to a more expensive band. I mentioned this to my husband (he’s a whiz at finding info on the net) and he sent me this website. I’m in the Navy and underway right now but plan on trying the boiling water as soon as I get back. For now I’ve taken my rings off so the rash clears up. Thanks so much for all the posts.

I finally did the boiling water trick this weekend. I poured boiling water over my rings about three times and used a q-tip to clean out the crevices under the ring. I wore my rings for an entire day and no rash!!! Thank you so much for the great tip.

I too am amazed at how many of you have this annoying affliction. The ring I’m currently wearing causing the bumps and scaley skin in like a wedding band that fits snuggly to the skin and leaves no room for air pockets. I haven’t had this happen since I was in high school, and that was a REALLY long time ago! I haven’t found the solution yet, but I’ve tried many of the things you’ve all described…. I think letting the finger breath and heal is step #1…

Hi i couldnt get over how many people suffer this wedding ring problem, i to get the blisters and itching ,and have to leave my ring off till it setteles down ,and each time i get the rash it seems to take longer to heal.I only got married 19 months ago but it has been an ongoing problem ,my ring is both silver and gold ,and i wonder if it is allergy to the metall,however im going to try this boiling the ring method and pray it works for me, becouse its a lovely ring ,and i dont want another one to replace it really,but im kind of fond of my finger too,(and hate the itchy sorenes)so hears hoping the boiling method works ,thaks for the advice let you know how it goes. sue

The same thing is happening to me on my wedding ring finger. I found this blog and showed it to my husband so that he could see that it wasn’t just happening to me. We were astonished to read that something as simple as boiling my rings in water could remedy this problem. I’ll try this method too. Fingers crossed.[-o<

Hello there. I’m glad I found this blog archive. My fiance bought me a sterling silver ring from Tiffany’s and I have been getting a rash from it. I tried it on both ring fingers of both hands and I get the same result. The rash doesn’t get red like the one in the picture, but my skin gets inflamed/raised. The itching is crazy too.

The funny thing is, I have a necklace and a bracelet with the same and exact material as the ring (the necklace and bracelet are also from Tiffany’s).

I have also worn other sterling silver rings before, but I don’t know what the problem is.

What should I do??? He just bought the ring for Christmas, and I want to wear it badly!!!!

Thanks so much!

I will try your advice, Nicole. Just one more thing though. The upper layer is made of Titanium (the lower layer is the sterling silver that only touches the skin)

Is it still okay to sterilize it?

Thanks so much for your help!!!

Hi all – I posted back in July and finally got my ring sized up (w/ diamonds in band and ring – but not all way around) and… knock on wood… I haven’t had any trouble. The only reason I’m back on this site is to remember how they recommended to clean bc I haven’t done so in a while. I do remove my rings more often when at home but I think having them sized up just a tad solved my problem… It’s so great being able to wear them again on a regular basis. Good luck to you all – it was very frustrating for a while!

Hey everyone. I had the same problem but not until I started wearing my wedding band, I found out that a lot of metals that are treated to be shiny (ie white gold and platinum) are plated with nickel. Nickel allergies may not show up right away and may take time (a few months) or irritation (washing hand, rubbing of two rings together) to trigger the allergy. Unfortunately, once the rash starts up it comes back easier and easier each time. Boiling the ring may help for a while because it gets rid of possible irritants, but if its an allergy the rash will come back. The solution: get a ring that has no nickel whatsoever. Hope this helps.

thank goodness i stumblied across this! i’ve been a married a few short months and ever since wearing both my engagement and wedding band i’ve had the same problem.
i’ll try the boiling in water tonight and will check back in-keep your fingers crossed!

I can’t begin to tell you how much I wish I had found this info sooner. I developed this same itchy red blistery, flaky rash on my finger under my ring (after 8 years of constant wear). I’m a physical therapist and I had been treating a patient diagnosed with scabies (rash caused by a tiny mite which starts in webs of fingers and is really itchy). I went to see my M.D. who automatically assumed scabies and prescribed Premethrin cream (yucky white cream you apply from head to toe for 8 hours). I am also breastfeeding my 10 month old baby so I had to pump and dump the milk and could not touch him during this time. I completed disinfected my house, car, comforters drycleaned, ziploc bagged the toys, wore gown and gloves with all patients, etc. I assumed all was clear and my “scabies” were treated cause the rash went away. 3 weeks later when I started wearing my ring again it starts to get red and irritated again. I then went searching and found this site. I’m boiling water as I type and I hope it works (at the same time I want to scream at all the unnecessary crap I went through). I’m sceptical but very hopeful. I’ll keep you posted.:((

I got two rings of my Dad’s after my mother passed away recently. Not sure what metal they are, but it isn’t gold. I think one is silver. Both rings have caused this rash on my right pinky (only finger they fit on). My Gold Wedding Band never caused this; just these two I recently got. I Googled my problem and found this site. I am going to get my finger healed up and boil the rings to see if it works.

I thought I was allergic to my DAD!!!

Thanks, everyone!!

I am so glad to find this site! I have been married for 5 months, and suddenly a couple of months ago this problem happened right after I cleaned my ring with jewelry cleaner. I thought I was allergic to that, but it keeps coming back. I never had any problem until I had my wedding band with the engagement ring. I am going to boil my rings. I hope this helps. Thanks! I don’t feel like I am the only one with some crazy problem now!

Guess what page of WordPress For Dummies I’m up to?! Really well written Lisa, well done!

Baz

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I’ve been having the same problem for about 6 months with the same results the other ladies have had. I’m boiling my rings right now and have applied neosporin. We’ll see what happens. Thanks for the advice.

I have been suffering the same affliction intermittently for over a year now. I went to my DO and a Dermatologist. I received a prescription for a steroidal cream and a good moisturizing hand cream. I used both without success. I take my ring off for weeks at a time which makes me unhappy. I work at a hospital and am constantly washing my hands and using antiseptics, which I thought may be irritating me more???? I will try the boiling technique and pray it works. I love my ring and my commitment!!!! Thanks for the idea.

Thanks for the information, amazing what will cause so much problems:d:d:d

(» Read chronic chick’s last blog post..10 Reasons Why I blog- I’ve been tagged)

I had this problem for many years and developed dermatitis from it. My left hand looked like an 80 year old. Specialist gave me 10% cortisone cream and charged me a fortune. Then I got a nail infection and had to take Lamisol tablets. Miracle – nail grew back and my dermatitis disappeared. It’s been 15 years now and I can wear my wedding ring without any problems. I think you will find that it is some kind of fungal dermatitis.

After getting a rash under my ring a couple of times, I realized that it was caused by peeling MANGOES and not washing my hands thoroughly. Now I remove my rings when I wash my hands and I haven’t had the rash again. Mangoes are related to poison ivy, so people with poison ivy allergy may also be sensitive to the oils in the mango skin. Eating a fresh mango can also case a lip rash.

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input. My husband was not able to wear his wedding ring since we were married – one and a half years. It was really starting to worry me in case it was a sign that he was not committed (or something) anyway I told him about this website and he put his ring in a cup of boiled water and then used a toothbrush to scrub the inside of the ring with tea tree oil. He also makes sure to take the ring off when he is washing his hands and only puts it back on when his finger is completely dry. I too waited to make sure it had really worked before I came back on here but its been over a month and it hasn’t come back. So thankyou very much to everyone!

Thank you so much everyone, for this information. I have been married almost 18 years, and this is the first year that I have experienced a rash under my wedding band. Each time I removed the band, the rash dried up and went away, only to return shortly after I began wearing it again. (I was actually afraid that somehow it was some sort of systemic symptom of breast cancer coming back after many years, and so it was not only annoying, but frightening!!!–It was either that, or my husband was finally getting the better of me!!)
I will now breathe a HUGE sigh of relief, go home and boil my ring.
Thank you, thank you SO much again everyone–I can’t tell you what a relief it has been to read your messages.

OMG!! I can’t believe that I stumbled across this site, it is exactly what I am experiencing right now!! I figured there would be something on the internet, but I guess I found the needle in the haystack of sites. I first noticed this really itchy rash after forgetting to take off my ring before surfing. I was in the ocean for about 30 minutes before I decided to go back to the car to take off the ring, but ever since, I have experienced this rash. I will def. try the boiling technique…….sounds simple enough. Thanks everybody-

Wow. Like others, I am incredibly pleased to have found this website. I’ve been married 2 months and there is a very itchy rash underneath my platinum wedding band. It itches so much that in the night I have accidentally scratched my finger raw! Very painful. The fungal stories have scared me senseless, so this evening I will be careful to thoroughly boil my ring and hope it never happens again.

Thanks guys!

Don’t worry, it’s just a nickle reaction. Get you some hydrocortizone cream and put it on before putting your rings on. I have the same problem and this method works for me!

It is an allergic reaction to certain metals. I have had this issue for 20 years. The only metal that I can wear is white gold. I was 25 before I tired to get me ears pierced again because the first time when I was 10 or 11 was horrible! They would never heal! My husband insists that “surgical steel” should not cause a problem but it did and it has! It is truly an allergic reaction!!

I was hesitant to post here, but I was a bit daunted because all the posts of people with issues seem to be female! *sulks*

At any rate, I, too, have this problem.

I bought a tungsten ring on vacation in Cozumel for a GREAT price. I wore it the entire week on the cruise, but shortly after returning home: tiny blisters and redness! Now, this had me puzzled because none of mine are cobalt-free (nickel was used as the binder instead).

I definitely must try the boiling technique as tungsten carbide won’t have any problem withstanding that little bit of heat.

Just out of curiosity, does the ring need to be boiled often or just once? Any feedback would be helpful! 🙂

for those of you that had success with boiling your ring…did you just use water or did you use the peroxide/vinegar combo?

Ashley: I just used plain water.. boiled it on the stove, poured the water into a coffee cup, placed my rings in it, and let them sit for a while.

I placed my ring on the pot after the water boiled for 15 mins. And then I sprayed alcohol on it. Do you have to take off your ring at night? when you wash the dishes?

😀 at last an answer to my problem… Ive started having the same problem while wearing my engagement ring and eternity ring, i began swapping the rings over to my right hand at night which has resulted in the same problem on my right hand too and no healing up really on the left hand… Anyway im going to stick my rings in my baby’s steam steriliser and see if that will have the same effect as boiling! 😀 thankyou people! 🙂 x

I believe this is actually not a rash, I think it’s a fungus as gross as it sounds. At first I thought it was a rash due to trapped soap and water under my rings, but then it sort of spread a little bit and when I put some hydrogen peroxide on it, the blisters turned white and burned like crazy! I’m pretty sure it’s a fungus.
Thanks for the tip on boiling the rings, although I’m afraid to damage the metal. Now I just have to figure out how to get rid of this nasty thing on my finger asap.

I have been having the very same problem for several months now. I even went to the dermotologist and they weren’t able to give me an answer. Prior to this happening, I have worn my rings for about 3 years with no problem. I cannot wait to go home and try the boiling method!!! I hope it works because I haven’t been able to wear my beautiful wedding rings for about 4 months. I hope and pray this works! 🙂 Thanks everyone!

Thank you so much for the tip. I got the same exact “ring rash” around my finger a week or two ago. I thought it was an allergy, since I am allergic to pretty much everything under the sun. I was so upset when I got the rash because I felt like if I didn’t wear my ring, it would bring bad luck to the relationship. I definitely have to try this boiling water trick. Thank you for the advice, and good luck to all of you who also suffer from the same “ring rash.”

i have the same problem. I have been getting it for a few weeks now, me and my wife have been married for 7 months now, but i have had a ring from her on that finger for 2 years before i received my wedding ring.it is caused by moisture! nothing more. it is because the skin cannot breath under the ring so fungus (alot like athlete’s foot) grows, it like moist dark warm areas to multiply. tinactin! the best friend you can have! it is made for athelets foot and other fungi. use the cream not the spray. use it twice a day until it goes away ( about 2 weeks)and after that use it once every few days. also when you wash your hands, or get them wet for any reason, take the rings off ,dry your hands then put the rings back on, if moisture gets trapped under the ring it will only come back. hope this helps!