What causes wedding ring rash?
Do you wear your wedding band or your solitaire engagement ring all the time? If you do, you’re at great risk of developing wedding ring rash. Or worse, you may already have it!
Don’t worry. In general, this skin condition isn’t life-threatening and can easily be treated. Though it can be quite annoying and, in extreme cases, painful.
But first thing's first, what is it exactly?
Wedding ring rash (or simply ring rash) is often characterised by itchy red bumps that develop on the skin beneath your ring. In some instances, it may escalate into scaly patches that can cause skin to crack or swell.
To avoid this in the first place, let’s discuss the common root causes of this condition.
The main causes of ring rash
Though there can be lots of factors that can trigger this skin condition, it all goes down to the following:
Nickel allergy
You may not know it, but gold jewellery may contain traces of nickel. If you’re allergic to this metal, better take extra caution when shopping for wedding rings. It’s best to tell your jeweller about this, so they’ll know what type is suitable for you.
Keep in mind that nickel allergy can also develop over time. You may have had it recently without you knowing, causing an itchy rash as you continue wearing your ring.
To be sure, there are some options available that don’t involve metals (such as ceramic, silicone and wood). Though they’re more common in men’s wedding rings.
Bacteria
As you go about your day, your ring collects all sorts of dirt and moisture from soap, lotion and water. This can become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
If left uncleaned for a long time, bacteria build up may irritate your skin.
What can you do to treat and avoid wedding ring rash?
If you already developed the rash, probably the easiest solution is to stop wearing your ring for the meantime until your skin normalises. Your skin needs a break from the irritant that’s causing it.
Before you go back to wearing your jewellery piece, here are some things that you can do to avoid developing this condition again.
Have your ring plated with rhodium
If you’re allergic to nickel, having your ring coated with rhodium will allow you to continue wearing it without developing a rash. It’s ideal to have it re-plated every six to twelve months to be safe.
Apply nail polish
A cheaper option to avoid getting into direct contact with nickel is to apply clear nail polish on the inside of the ring. Just remember to reapply a fresh coat when you deem it necessary.
Clean your jewellery regularly
Don’t forget to keep your wedding ring clean. You can take it to your jeweller for professional cleaning or simply soak it in a mixture of warm water and dish soap at least once every six months. This is to ensure that harmful bacteria won’t build up.
As much as you love wearing your wedding ring, you need to give your skin some time to breath once in a while. However, with the right practices, you’ll never have to experience this awful rash even if you wear your ring daily.
