Remove rings immediately after a finger dislocation, because it is difficult to remove the ring if the finger becomes swollen. Sometimes, the finger becomes so swollen that the ring must be removed with a ring cutter. The following will help you remove a ring from a swollen finger.

Ring Removal

• Elevate the finger above the heart and apply a cold compress for 15-20 minutes.
• This helps reduce swelling.
• Lubricate the ring:
• Apply soapy water to the ring.
• Ask another person to pull the skin tightly away from the ring, and then try to twist the ring off gently.
• Stop if this causes pain or skin damage.
• If this does not work, loop a piece of thin string or ribbon under the ring on both sides of the finger. Ask another person to grab the ends of both strings. Have the person pull equally on the ends of each string, while you gently twist the ring.

Reducing Finger Swelling
In order to reduce finger swelling, you may wrap a wide rubber band around the finger. Start at the tip of the finger and wrap towards the ring. Overlap the edges of the rubber band as you wrap the finger. After 5 minutes, remove the rubber band and try to remove the ring.

Do not wrap the finger with a rubber band if:

• You have finger pain
• You are over 60 years old.
• You have diabetes.
• You have peripheral vascular disease.

Seek medical care immediately for:

• You are unable to remove the ring
• Severe finger pain
• Pale finger
• Blue finger
• Finger numbness