How to Remove a Ring That's Stuck on a Finger

Avoid a trip to the hospital by using these tricks to safely dislodge a stuck ring.

Step 1: Don't force it
Avoid pulling and tugging too hard, which could cause your finger to swell and make it more difficult to remove the ring.

Step 2: Lubricate your finger
Lubricate your finger and the ring liberally with hand lotion, petroleum jelly, cooking oil, or soap.

Step 3: Work the ring off
Turn the ring around your finger to get the lubricant underneath. Gently work the ring off the finger, turning it as you go.

Tip
Cover the drain if you are working over a sink so that the ring doesn't disappear down the pipe.

Step 4: Bring down swelling
Dip your hand in cool water for a few minutes to help reduce swelling if the lubricants don't work. Elevating your arm can also help reduce swelling.

Step 5: Try dental floss
Wrap dental floss tightly around your finger starting just above the ring. Lubricate the floss and then slip the ring off over the compressed knuckle.

Did You Know?
In 1477, the Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy the first diamond engagement ring recorded in history.

[chasekeylime]

So what happens if my ring is actually stuck unlike the tutorial

[faith]

THANK U SO MUCH UR A LIFE SAVER, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO THE

[raylynorozco]

lies that ring was not even tight on her finger

[TrophyWifeDiet]

Great Advice, mine was really tight... So, Had to cut off my ring after trying everything but kept calm as we tried advice.

[TheChichic]

lotion with dental floss did the trick for me...you just saved me a trip to local ER!!!! Thank you!!!

[MzIndyIndy]

yes!! the lotion worked well on my swollen finger!

[SpyderRyder]

this actually works. I use soap as a lubricant all the time. The ice is kind of a no-brainer, and i used the raising your arm thing when my hand got swollen in an injury

[MrRonGuitar]

Hahahaha love how there's a huge pause in the list for "lubricant"

[strongbutmighty]

lol i KNEW there would be a howcast video on this :p

[mathivanthv]

Use the floss trick! Worked like a charm after an hour of fighting. You need the swelling to reduce, just relax your finger as much as possible.

[julettecox]

I have just tried getting off a stuck ring for ages.then I watched the video and had another go tonight while I was having a bath.i poured on baby oil on my finger and followed what the video said it was very painful when I was twisting the ring around but I got there in the end.So it's a big thank you to the lady in the video. My finger is a bit sore but it will be ok in a few days time.I had the ring on for 15 years.

[swapnashaw]

Lotion idea is best

Thanks for giving this idea.

[Haddpc]

Mine came off with very tight dental floss, first time in 12 years. Thanks

[snoosemoose]

for some reason I laughed my ass off when the lady said patience

[thunderjolt]

thumbs up if you think howcast needs to make a video about "How to remove dental floss that is stuck on your finger

[Kingperson]

Step 1: Smash the ring with a hammer (which will cost a finger)
Did you know: Cats say meow.

[AllInONE-ts]

Very helping video 😊Thank you so much😊This Really helped me 😊

[celinadmello]

Thank God! Hand lotion trick Thanks a lot

[PassportBrosBusinessClass]

Thanks for telling us about covering the drain AFTER you tell us how to get the ring off.

[Ailumer]

All this time I spent a long time trying to get a ring off my finger and there's a video about it! wow now I wont ever wear rings I get from magazine's.