Wedding band irritation

Trauma Columnist · Jul 3, 2007

I move my rings up on my finger when I wash my hands and ensure that I dry under the rings. That has helped me. Plus, I hate the sanitizer stuff, so I actually wash myhands between pt contact.

fultzymom · Jul 3, 2007

maybe you are not getting it dried well after you wash your hands. i always have to move it up and dry underneath of it. i can't stand that feeling that it is wet still under my ring. if you try that and it does not work, maybe see the doc to see what he things the problem could be.

fultzymom · Jul 3, 2007

OOH trauma, you must type a little faster than I do!!

prmenrs, RN · Jul 3, 2007

Make sure you get all the soap rinsed off as well as drying your finger thoroughly.

I have known some nurses who buy a smaller, simple band just for work--easier to work w/, no worries about losing stones or scratching a pt, no soap gunk in the setting, etc.

Try hydrocortisone cream instead of antibiotic cream @ bedtime. Could also try an antifungal.

rnmomtobe2010 · Jul 3, 2007

I have the same problem. My doc. has changed my antibiotic cream 3x. This last cream helps. I thought it came from a spider bite or something. The irritation became unbearable at one point until I wanted to literally cut my darn finger off. Sounds crazy I know. I hated being without my rings. I still don't know where the problem came from and it is a year and a half later and I am just now starting to heal. I hope you get better!

leslie :-D · Jul 3, 2007

my entire hands break down, and i've scratched them til they bleed.

i found out it was a combination of the hand sanitizers as well as the latex gloves.

i got a dr's note and only wear latex-free gloves;

and have found a sanitizer for sensitive skin.

hctz cream also helped.

leslie

Princess74 · Jul 3, 2007

I have the same problem with my engagement ring and my watch. I think it's just from them staying wet so much. I really should make sure that I dry them better but seriously, who has the time.

ptadvocate81 · Jul 4, 2007

I bought an inexpensive gold band to wear at work rather than my wedding band and engagement ring. I have found that it is easier that way and I was told by my mother in law to paint the inside with clear fingernail polish and I did and found that it did away with any irritation that I had. You might try that.

SWAT_RN · Jul 4, 2007

I absolutely know that the alcohol gel ate the skin under my wedding band. I had blisters and actually denuded the area under my ring. When I approached my manager at the time about any alternate sanitizers, etc. she said, "maybe you shouldn't wear the ring". Plain gold band, my wedding ring and to me not wearing it is not an option. So I refuse to use that evil gel, back to soap and water. Joint Commission can kiss my...uh..blistered, peeling hands.:angryfire

confused101 · Jul 5, 2007

SWATRN,

I think it is the alcohol stuff. I am doing much better. When I was in nursing school the hospital system we were at did not have latex free gloves unless you were special and had a documented allergy. My hands would blister up like mad.

My new facility has latex free gloves which has helped tremendously. Cheap jewelry breaks me out like mad. I use free and clear soap on my clothing. I have like a 1/4 carrot setting that my husband's like great grandmother passed down. I didn't want the poke your eye out stones r/t our occupation. :)

Thank everyone for your suggestions and have a safe holiday!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 5, 2007

I wore an inexpensive (but still gold) band for school clinicals, but found that even that made my skin itch because of the alcohol squirts. I don't wear any rings now at all.

I know I'm married, my husband is confident in my ability to remember that, and it has never been a problem in a professional atmosphere.

I actually have to remember to put on my rings when I'm off work!