Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Treat the rash
• Method 2 of 3: Wear the ring
• Method 3 of 3: Dealing with a metal allergy
• Tips
• Warnings

If a rash has developed under your ring, don't worry. Rashes under a ring are common and easy to treat. See your doctor or dermatologist to find out if the problem is caused by dirt or a nickel allergy. If the metal isn't the cause, you can still wear the ring as long as you keep your hands clean and hydrated. If you are allergic to nickel or another metal, you should protect your hands by replacing the ring or having it galvanized.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Treat the rash

1. Go to the doctor. In most cases the rash is caused by contact eczema. That means your skin is reacting to something in the ring. Your doctor can determine if the rash is caused by a nickel allergy, dirt or sweat, or if there is some other underlying cause.
   • Your doctor can perform a skin test to see if you have a nickel allergy. Small amounts of nickel, platinum and other allergens are then applied to your skin that you have to let sit for 48 hours to see if a reaction occurs.
   • If your skin is not responding to the nickel, there may be a lot of dirt or sweat under the ring. In this case, you just have to clean your ring.
   • One way to find out if you have a nickel allergy is to think about how long you've been wearing the ring. If you've been wearing the ring for a long time, but are only now getting a rash, chances are it isn't about something in the ring. In that case, the cause is rather an irritant that has gotten under the ring.
2. Apply hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation. Your doctor can prescribe a mild hydrocortisone cream to reduce redness and irritation. If the rash is more severe, you may be given a prescription for a stronger remedy. Apply the cream once or twice a day for two to four weeks.
   • Hydrocortisone cream is only available by prescription. You can't get it at the drug store.
   • Always follow the directions on the packaging and in the package leaflet.
   • Use the hydrocortisone cream for a maximum of seven days in a row. Go back to the doctor if the rash has not disappeared by then.
3. Take an antihistamine to relieve itching. Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as Claritin (active ingredient: loratadine), to temporarily relieve itching.
   • Follow the directions on the packaging and in the package insert regarding the dose.
4. If the rash is caused by fungus, use an anti-fungal agent. If the rash is flaky and the area gets bigger, you may have a fungal infection caused by moisture and heat. You can suffer from this if you sweat a lot under your ring. Talk to your doctor about this option and ask what he or she recommends for treatment.
   • Your doctor can prescribe an anti-fungal cream or recommend an over-the-counter remedy.

Method 2 of 3: Wear the ring

1. Put the ring on another finger. This will allow the rash to heal. If the ring on that finger is also causing a rash, stop wearing the ring.
2. Remove all rings from your fingers before you wet your hands. Rashes can sometimes be caused by soap scum and moisture particles that remain under the ring. Remove your rings before swimming, taking a shower or bath, or washing your hands. Dry your hands well before putting your rings back on.
   • Wash your hands with a mild soap. Dove, Olay, and Cetaphil are good choices.
3. Rub your hands daily with lotion. Lotion can reduce friction under your ring. After washing, coat your hands with a moisturizer to help prevent irritation. Hypoallergenic cream is the best choice.
4. Clean your ring. In some cases, your skin can become irritated by dirt and sweat under the ring, causing a rash. You can take the ring to a jeweler to have it professionally cleaned, or you can purchase a specialty jewelry cleaner. According to the directions on the package, dilute it with water and let your ring soak for up to 40 minutes. Gently scrub the stone with a toothbrush.

Method 3 of 3: Dealing with a metal allergy

1. Have the metal of the ring replaced. If the ring is valuable, you may not want to throw it away. Instead, you can take it to a jeweler and ask him or her to replace the metal. Ask the jeweler which metals are used in your ring.
   • Titanium, stainless steel, and 18-karat gold are generally safe if you are allergic to nickel.
   • It is not uncommon for nickel to be added to gold jewelry. The more gold a ring contains, the less likely it is to contain nickel.
   • White gold contains nickel more often than yellow gold.
2. Have a layer of rhodium applied to the ring. A jeweler can apply a layer of rhodium to the ring to protect your finger. This is cheaper than buying a new ring, but the layer will wear off after a few years.
3. Apply nail polish to the ring. Choose transparent nail polish and spread the polish on the inside of the ring. Let the polish dry completely before putting on the ring. Apply new paint every two to three days.
   • This is a good temporary solution until you can replace the ring or have it galvanized.
   • In the store you can buy special lacquer formulated to protect your skin from jewelry. You can apply it to your ring in the same way as nail polish.
4. Test all your rings for nickel. If you are allergic to nickel, purchase a nickel test kit online. The set contains two chemicals. Apply a drop of both chemicals to your ring and mix the substances with a cotton swab. If the cotton swab turns pink, the ring contains nickel. If not, you can wear the ring safely.
   • This test will not damage your jewelry.

Tips

• Even after wearing nickel rings for years, you can suddenly get a nickel allergy.
• This type of rash mainly occurs in people who wear wedding rings. Try to take the ring off for an hour every day.
• Once you have a nickel allergy, you can suffer from it for the rest of your life.

Warnings

• If the rash has not disappeared after seven days of treatment, see your doctor again.