Every since I have had Christopher, I can barely wear my wedding ring. Underneath the ring, my skin will get red and itchy, and kinda break out. I have no idea what can be causing this.
I thought it was the bleach and lemons I use at work (waitress), but I stopped wearing my rings while I am there. I don't know what could be causing this, but I just want to wear my wedding ring! Is that too much to ask?? Like I said, this didn't happen before I had Christopher, or while I was pregnant. Only after he was born.

Any ideas?!

By Melanie on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 11:00 am:

This happened to me. I am pretty sure it was after the birth of our second son, not during the pregnancy. I stopped wearing my rings for a while and then it just stopped doing it. I wish I could tell you more, but it's really just a fuzzy memory now.

By Heaventree on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 11:20 am:

It sounds like you have developed contact dermatitis or eczema (same thing). 1% Cortisone which you can buy at the pharmacy will help with the rash, or get a presc. from the Dr. next time you are there for something stronger.

It can be caused by a sensitivity to nickel. Take your rings into a jeweler and see if they can detect nickel. You can also have them coat the inside of the ring with something to help prevent this. Don't know what it is called but mine did it and it worked for awhile, you will probably have to have it redone.

When buying jewelery always ask for nickel free, many people are sensitive. Good luck.

By My2cuties on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 11:37 am:

same thing happened to me too. My wedding band is platinum and when I tell any jewelry person what my ring did they get a confused look on their face. No ideas but I am curious to see what you find out.

By Kaye on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 11:38 am:

Happened to me, it was the nickel. After 3-4 years it got better. Ultimately I had to have 18 carat jewelry, most rings are 10. You can coat the inside of your rings with clear nail polish and see if that helps.

By Emily7 on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 11:47 am:

Me too. I started taking vitamins & making sure I dried under my rings really well after washing my hands. I also started wearing gloves to clean & wiping lotions off that area too. I have had my rings back on for almost a month now with no problems.

By Debbie on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 12:16 pm:

This happened to me. I wore my rings for several years and then started getting red/ichy spots under and around it. Nothing cleared it up. Dh ended up going to a jeweler to ask some questions about getting my diamond reset. The jewler wanted me to bring in the ring. I have small diamonds along the band of my ring. There were little holes behind each diamond. The jewler said that water tends to sit in there and will irritate the skin. He suggested sautering(sp?) the holes closed. He did this and I haven't had a problem since.

By Lorebunde on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 02:55 pm:

I have this also. All I have to do is wear gloves when I wash the dishes or use detergent.
This is of course once you get rid of the rash which using the cortisone cream should clear up.
It works for me anyway. It only happened under my shrimp ring. I think it is the water getting under it and the finger not getting dry.

By Missmudd on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 03:57 pm:

Raising my hand too. I used to be able to wear the cheapest costume jewelry available, then came kiddo #1. Seems that I can go months w/out a problem and then it will break out and itch like crazy. I just take off my rings at that point and let it clear up, then wear my rings again. No advice other than all the good advice above, just wanted to say Me too me too.

By Tink on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 07:51 pm:

Me too but I also get it under bracelets and watches. My ears are irritated by earrings, if I wear them for more than a few hours. Any metal, including 18 or 24 karat gold, does it for me. I have tried cortisone and it just wasn't strong enough. My dr prescribed an ointment that worked great but it smelled strange. Someone suggested tea tree oil (which also smells bad but I apply it at night) and it has cleared it up.

By Katherine on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 08:34 pm:

Is your band especially wide? I wear an 8mm band with no diamond ring, just the band.

Mine did this also, even though my band is 18K. I found that if I took my ring off at night and take my rings off and dry my hands really well after I wash them. If you leave them on all the time and keep it wet under there, that is creating a good environment for fungus from the moisture. Try keeping the rings off at night and when your hands will be wet and use an antifungal cream (like for athletes foot)and you should be ok.

By Jelygu on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 09:12 pm:

Thanks for all the good advice. I am going to wait till it clears up, and then be careful about the moisture and cleaning stuff. I didn't know so many people had this problem!
When I get time, I will go to the jewelry store and ask them about it. Hopefully I can get this cleared up!