Wedding rings are a symbol of everlasting love. They are a mark of the promises between a husband and his wife. They are a testament to an artist’s creativity. Wedding rings are also itchy and painful accessories that cause rashes.
Wedding ring rash is a very painful, not to mention an aesthetically unappealing affliction, which occurs as a result of the constant chafing of the skin against the metal of the ring.
Ring rashes (aka ring dermatitis) occur due to multiple reasons:
- When the wedding ring is too tight for your finger
- When the wedding ring is made of a metal you’re allergic to
- When there is dampness on your skin, causing infection
- When there is a build-up of dirt, debris, and soap under the ring
- When you are genetically susceptible to dermatological conditions
When you have a wedding ring rash, it becomes extremely painful to wear your wedding ring for days at a stretch. You may also find yourself constantly scratching at your dry skin, worsening the rash further and spreading an infection to the rest of your body.
If given immediate care, your wedding ring rash will subside, leaving behind a smooth, blemish-free skin and the desire to wear your wedding ring.
Tips to cure wedding ring rash
Use jewelry that isn’t made of nickel
Nickel allergy is one of the most common conditions amongst people who wear jewelry. Nickel allergy can develop at any time in your life, and it’s important to avoid wearing nickel to keep your skin clean and healthy.
Unfortunately, almost all jewelry contains traces of nickel in them. To prevent nickel allergy, you can ask your jeweler to coat your wedding ring in rhodium, which prevents the corrosion of metal and keeps the nickel at bay.
Note: If you have known allergy to nickel, we recommend investing in a platinum setting instead.
Clean the ring before wearing it
Regular ring cleaning is a must to get rid of the dirt and debris that’s built-up under your ring. First, use a damp cloth to clear all the particles out. Next, use a dry cloth to remove the dampness.
If you’re using a specialized jewelry cleaning solution, dilute it with water before use, as it can also cause a skin rash. You can also give the ring to a professional jeweler for cleaning.
Allow your skin to get some air and sunlight
Most times, dermatological infections develop as a result of the dampness underneath the skin. This dampness causes bacteria to grow, leading to the formation of rashes. The best way to prevent this problem is to expose the skin to air and sunlight.
Get a prescription for the rash
From anti-fungal medication to antihistamine pills, you have multiple medical options to treat your ring dermatitis. Visit the doctor for a consultation if you experience severe pain, itching, and swelling. You may just learn you have a nickel allergy which is more common than most think.
Change your skincare routine
Regular moisturizing leaves the hand soft and supple, preventing the formation of dry skin. When this happens, chances of your developing a rash reduce. Apply hand lotion every day and remove the ring when doing so.