Hand Washing and Wedding Rings

YES, we know, wash away those hands and fingers for 20 seconds multiple times a day. But, after so much hand washing, my ring finger became irritated around my wedding rings.

Is it the irritation from moisture and soap trapped under the rings? Should I take them off? Can my rings carry the coronavirus? What about my watch?

In an email to USA TODAY, Rochelle Walensky, chief of the division of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital wrote,  “In a situation where we are in extraordinary measures to limit COVID-19 transmission, I think removal of rings/jewelry when washing hands – or perhaps limiting their wear altogether right now – represents a wise move forward”

Now, I need to figure out how to pry off my rings after wearing them for over 20 years. Handcare.org suggests these 3 steps to remove a ring from a swollen finger.

•    Squirt some Windex – yes, Windex – on the finger and ring. Or, use any lubricant such as soap or oil.

•    Elevate the hand overhead for 5-10 minutes with ice around the ring and finger.

•    Use dental floss or a thread to compress the swollen finger.

If all else fails, cut the ring off with a ring cutter found in jewelry stores (might be hard to find one open right now), fire departments and emergency rooms.