Wedding ring eczema

Bootsie327 · January 2014

So I know we had a couple threads going around about rings already being too tight. Well, on account of mine fitting very tight recently, I've now developed eczema on my ring finger. Today, I decided to skip my engagement ring and just wear the wedding band which isn't as tight, but I think I'm going to bite the bullet and get a larger fake set to wear on my right hand until this clears up. I even take them off to sleep in, so my finger definitely gets to breathe. I Googled this (I know, I know...), and it seems this does happen to people, mo matter what metal the ring is, even after wearing their rings for years...but I was just wondering if anyone else here has had this?

ksyknelvr73 · January 2014

I have not personally but I know a couple people who have, my old boss got it really badly and had to completely quit wearing anything on her ring finger during pregnancy b/c of it. I think it's best to make sure it heals up and then maybe see if you can tolerate wearing something after that.

Bootsie327 · January 2014

Thanks! Yeah I think that's what I'm going to do. Pregnancy definitely does crazy things to skin, and I'm sure the tightness from the ring exacerbated it.

talkthewholetime · January 2014

My mom and a friend of mine both get it in the winter. It's pretty common, but still sucky.

elizabethb3 · January 2014

I had really bad eczema as a kid and am prone to it still. I've had it off and on on my hands before and during pregnancy, and it's usually bad on my ring finger. I have a prescription cream for it, which I use only when the itching is really bad. My dr. ok'd me using it in small amounts, but I don't like using it unless I have to. Otherwise, I use Eucerin hand cream more regularly to counteract the dryness. And I do give my finger a break from the rings occasionally. I'm sorry you're dealing with it!

chillypenguin · January 2014

I haven't been able to wear my engagement ring since June (before I was pregnant), I can only wear my wedding band. If I try to wear my engagement ring, my finger turns red and raw within a day.

So annoying. I haven't been able to find anything that has helped yet.

In my first pregnancy, my fingers were swollen and I switched to a fake ring around 18 weeks.

deanna1313 · January 2014

I have very bad exzema on my hands normally. My ring still fits right now, but they were still big to begin with. Keep in mind that soap getting trapped under a tight ring can really irritate the area and cause the exzema. That's what is probably causing it since the ring is so tight. Of course, if you plan to keep the rings off then it should clear up, but if not I like cetaphil and eucerin is good, but What I really like is coconut oil.

Shell+Bell · January 2014

I have had bad exzema on my hands for the past 14 years. And for a good 2 years of that I wasn't able to wear my rings at all becuase it was particularly bad on my fingers. I would say let it clear up before you decide to wear your rings again. And when you do start wearing your rings, take them off to wash your hands. Wait until your hands are completely dry before you put them back on. I would personally stay away from the steroid creams, because they do more damage to your skin then good. I use glycomed, or any hypoallergenic moisturizer is good. Or if you can stand it, coconut oil is really good. It's just a nuisance to have your hands all greasy with oil.

Empireceo · January 2014

Oh my god, I totally have this but I thought it was the design of my ring! I found that taking off my rings whenever I shower or was dishes helps keep it somewhat manageable and comfortable.

Bootsie327 · January 2014

Thanks so much guys! This is all really helpful and makes me feel better. I have never had eczema before so it's a new thing for me. I was going to get a bigger set of fake rings to grow into, so I'll go ahead and get them now and wear them on my right hand for now while this clears up. I definitely will get some better lotion like Eucerin, and I think taking off the rings to wash my hands is a great idea...I'm sure that's what's causing it.

momo214 · January 2014

Oh wow! I never knew that this could be my case too! Ever since getting engaged 3 years ago I have had an itchy red band on my finger under my ring. Kind of scaley and dry. I figured I may just be allergic to the metal or it was irritating on my skin. Mine isn't bad enough to stop wearing my ring though. I've never had eczema so never would have guessed!

g8trbaby01 · January 2014

About my 10 week mark I started running into this problem got worse if I got them wet, washing hands ect. So they've been around my neck since!

KristaU831 · January 2014

i did. i had to get new rings, the setting was causing it, well water etc getting trapped underneath.

it recently happened again but a good cleaning solved the issue

CMDR513 · January 2014

I have it, but my rings fit fine!

loveyoutiltheend · January 2014

I've had eczema on and off for years, and the same exact thing has been happening to me for a few months now. I work in a hospital, and so I have to wash my hands a billion times a day. I've found that when I wash my hands with my rings on, the water/soap stays under my rings and makes the eczema worse. If I take my rings off to wash my hands, don't wear my rings at home or to bed, and put a dab of cortisone on my finger at night, I have been eczema free and can actually wear my rings! If for some reason it's bothering me, I don't wear my rings that day and put more cortisone on it! Hope that helps!

Bootsie327 · January 2014

Thanks so much again, everyone!

Susiepoo04 · January 2014

Some people are allergic to certain metals in the ring but commonly, there's an irritant or allergic reaction to chemicals that get caught under the ring such as detergent etc

ChartheStar · January 2014

Posted this in another thread last week:

I had to stop wearing my wedding band and engagement ring at 15 weeks because I developed a terrible, itchy rash on my ring finger. After doing some research I learned that a small percentage of women end up allergic to certain metals because their sweat becomes more alkali and contains more sulfur. The sulfur can catalyze with the platinum to create acidic compounds that then react with the alkali in sweat to make a pretty nasty chemical situation. Sexy, huh?

elizabe519 · January 2014

I used to get this because at work my hands were in and out of water so much. It's because water and soap was getting stuck under my rings and irritating the skin. Now I just don't wear them at work. If you keep your rings dry it should clear up. I agree that eucerine works great to help things.

Bootsie327 · January 2014

Yeah I think for me it's more the soap and water thing, since the rings fit really tight now. I don't think it's an allergy bc I was able to wear them for years with no problem until these darn sausage fingers happened! Haha

I've been only wearing my wedding ring until I find a larger fake that I like. I have tried taking it off to wash my hands and do dishes, and also putting eucerin...it's already less intense!

ChartheStar · January 2014

I wore my rings for almost 2 years with no problem. The rash just developed during pregnancy so it's definitely related. I talked to my midwife about it and she said it's a legitimate thing that happens to some women. For me it's not a case of moisture getting stuck under the ring since my rings are still loose. From what I hear, it's supposed to go back to normal after pregnancy.

klbetzing · January 2014

I have this now. I know that due to te weather my hands get super dry, but my ring finger had and excess of flakes. My diagnosis..

NorthernGal248 · January 2014

I've always had eczema. I would recomend using the Aveeno Eczema lotion or cream before getting the steroid doctors can prescribe. If the lotion doesn't help then def talk to your doctor about for more options.

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