Imagine this: It's just before your wedding day, a time when everyone asks to see your engagement ring, and you can't wear it because you've developed an uncomfortable rash on your ring finger! Well, that was me in the spring of 1998, and I had a case of "ring rot."
I'm sure dermatologists have a fancy Latin name for it, but in the jewelry business, ring rot is what we call a red, itchy sometimes blistered area that occurs on the finger directly under a ring. Although clients often think the ring itself is the cause, perhaps assuming the ring isn't "real gold," the true culprit is moisture.
Ring rot occurs much more often in wider bands and in people who wash their hands a lot. (Nowadays, that's most of us!) But sensitive skin might contract ring rot under even thin bands. Ring rot doesn't discriminate.
The Treatment: I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on this blog, but I have had my experiences with ring rot. When you see the symptoms described above, first of all, stop wearing the ring! No, no, not forever, but until the rash clears up. Do not put the ring back on until the ring rot has cleared up 100%. Not 95%. Not 99%. The area must be completely healed or the ring rot will come right back! Trust me on this.
Prevention: If you have experienced ring rot, then your skin is prone to it. One of the easiest way to prevent it is to take your rings off at night to let your skin breathe. Now yes, I know that some folks feel that after your wedding ring was slid onto your finger at the ceremony it is not to come off again, so that option may not work for you.
And obviously not washing your hands is not an option (unless you like having a perpetual cold!) Try this method that has worked well for me: Wash your hands, then when drying them, scoot your rings slightly toward your knuckle, dry under them, slide them back into place and dry the area near your knuckle.
Resist the urge to take your rings off completely before washing your hands! I have heard too many sad stories about rings accidentally left behind in a public restroom or knocked down the drain when sitting on the sink area at home.
It's been ten years since that fateful pre-wedding bout of ring rot, so my methods have worked for me, and I'm sure they'll work for you too.
If you are reading and thinking "Gee, that's a long article about a little skin rash'" then you, my friend, have never had ring rot!
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5 comments:
I didn't realize it had a term! One time I'd think it is good to take rings off is also before showering. Does soap scum affect rings?
Soap scum doesn't damage rings, but it sure does inhibit your diamonds from sparkling as they could- and it's also one of the most difficult things to clean off from the back of a ring, so your suggestion of taking them off before showering is a great one! Thanks for the question!
I am currently battling a 2 month stint with this "ring rot". I had my second child 4 months ago and was able to put my ring back on 2 months ago. This lovelfy itchy, blistery rash appeared. I tried all sorts of medicated creams and finally had to go to the derm. He said that it is a reaction to the nickle. He gave me a steroid cream and a barrier cream so I can wear the ring after I heal. I immediately went to my jeweler and he verified that my ring has no nickel since it is platinum. Since we are dear friends I know that he is not lying. He took my ring and is cleaning it for the week (buffing out the marks - it has been 4 years). My finger has been doing great until tonight. I have been putting Acquafor lotion on it to help moisturize the scaly skin and all of a sudden itchy bumps are here! WTF!! Now I have no clue on what to do... Any suggestions? Sorry for the long post.
And for the misspelled words. Yikes!
I have been suffering with the same thing- and as an RN of 20+ years I have tried multiple creams lotions etc. but the best thing I found was to use mentholated chest rub. The menthol kills the itch and whatever nasty little germs may be present due to moisture. I apply it and cover the area with a bandaid mostly at night as I wash A LOT during the day. You also can not put your ring back on until COMPLETELY HEALED. Keep under the ring as dry as possible after healed or it will come back. Good luck.
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