Sandhya Raghavan
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It turns out that, apart from the infamous seven-year itch that plagues most marriages, there's also a different a different kind of itch that married people suffer from. It's called the wedding-ring itch or wedding ring dermatitis. Folks who are married or engaged wear rings to mark their married status, but irrespective of what metal the ring is made of --gold, silver or platinum -- it can cause an itchy, blistered rash to develop where the ring touches the skin. The area can get inflamed, blistered and itchy, causing a lot of discomfort to the wearer. It can also be upsetting to newlyweds because the only solution to stopping the rash is to remove the ring. But as soon as you put it back, the rash returns with vengeance. As alarming as it sounds, ring dermatitis is quite common and completely curable.
Prevention
As the old adage goes, 'Prevention is better than cure.' The condition is seen mainly among people who wear tight rings. So when you buy a ring, make sure it fits just right not too tight or too loose. Ideally, you should be able to slide it across your finger without much resistance. If your ring is too tight, ask your jeweller to increase its size with a mechanical device. Read some tips to cure the winter skin itch.
Wash thoroughly
One of the primary causes of ring dermatitis is the buildup of bacteria and other pathogens under the ring. The area under the skin is cut off from water and soap while you wash your hands. The dirt and debris under the ring build up and cause itchy blisters. Next time you wash your hands, remove your ring and scrub your fingers thoroughly. Next wash the ring focusing on the underside that comes in contact with your skin.
Dry your hands
Sometimes, after washing yourself, you may hastily slip your ring on a wet finger. Collection of sweat under the finger can also aggravate the condition. A moist environment is the perfect breeding ground for pathogens which can trigger an infection. So dry your hands and the ring completely before wearing it again.
Use an absorbent powder
If you have sweaty hands, powder your hand with a medicated talcum powder containing an ingredient like miconazole (consult your dermatologist first) before slipping on the ring. The powder will absorb all the excess sweat, keep the area under the skin dry and ward off fungus. Try these quick tips for an itchy skin.
Wear the ring on a different finger
Sometimes, the ring may be tighter on a particular finger than on any other. This could cause sweat, bacterial or fungal build up, causing the itch in the first place. So let that rash heal and wear the ring on a different finger. If the new finger gets infected, it's probably a case of metal allergy. In that case, you will have to stop wearing the ring.
Stop wearing the ring for a month
Some stop wearing their rings when the itching becomes unbearable. But sometimes, a break from the ring is what can cure the itch once and for all. Many people have stopped experiencing the itch after they took a month-long break from the ring. Once the lesions get cured, wait for a few weeks before you wear the ring.
Rhodium plate it
In most cases, the nickel added to gold and platinum jewellery to give it strength can trigger an allergic reaction. The best bet would be to stop wearing the ring or look for a nickel-free option. You can also plate the underside of the ring with rhodium to cut skin contact with the metal.
References:
Torres, F., das Gra as, M., Melo, M., & Tosti, A. (2009). Management of contact dermatitis due to nickel allergy: an update. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology : CCID, 2, 39 48.
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