GotoAID - Ring Strangulation

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Ring Strangulation

Ring strangulation occurs when your finger swells and your ring won't come off. The swelling causes the ring to "strangle" your finger stopping blood flow to the finger. It is important to get the ring off as quick as possible to restore blood flow.

Symptoms

Swelling

Pain

Steps

Lubricate the finger with butter, petroleum jelly, grease, or some other slippery substance and see if the ring can be removed.

Immerse the finger in cold water for several minutes or apply an ice pack and see if that reduces swelling

Massage the finger from the fingernail to the hand to move the swelling and then lubricate and see if that removes the ring

Lubricate the finger well and then take a rubber band and pass it under the ring, then while holding both ends of the rubber band (while maintaining tension on the rubber band towards the end of the finger) pull the rubber band around and around the finger

Inflate a balloon, preferably a long tube shaped one, ¾ way full and then insert the finger into the balloon until the balloon evenly surrounds the entire finger, in about 15 minutes the pressure in the balloon should return the finger to it’s normal size and then the ring can be removed

Spray some glass cleaner liberally onto the finger and then try to slide the ring off

As a last resort the ring may need to be cut at the narrowest part of the ring with a jewelers saw, ring saw, fine hack saw, or a ring cutter. If you are not able to do this seek medical attention.

Warnings

DO NOT put ice directly on the skin, use ice wrapped in a cloth

Tips

Try lubricating before cutting into the ring

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