Duration
The duration of the swelling depends strongly on its cause. Swelling, which occurs due to rheumatic changes or in the context of arthrosis, often occurs in relapses after exertion for a few days and disappears again in an inflammation-free interval. In systemic diseases, such as heart failure or kidney disease, but also in metabolic disorders, swelling can occur chronically.
If the lymph nodes are removed, a constant swelling can also be expected. Swellings due to gravity should disappear quickly after the muscles have been repositioned or activated accordingly. After a trauma a possible swelling should subside significantly after about 3-5 days.
The ring cannot be removed from the finger – What to do?
If you can’t get a ring off your finger, the most important thing is to stay calm and not to panic. Strong pulling and turning can make the finger swell even more. Most of the time it is not necessary to cut the ring or have it broken open.
In many cases the ring can be removed with a few simple tricks. First you should use a lubricant like vaseline or vegetable oil and rub your finger as much as possible. By turning it slightly, some grease will also get under the ring.
Often the ring can already be loosened easily now. Otherwise, the hand should be held above head height for at least 5 minutes. This allows more blood to drain off and helps the swelling of the finger to subside.
Another method to counteract swelling is cold water. The affected hand is immersed in a container of cold water for a few minutes. It can also be advantageous to have a second person help you.
This person should pull the skin in front of the ring slightly taut so that the ring can slide off the finger more easily. If all the above methods fail even after several attempts, the ring must actually be opened with a small hacksaw on one side and bent apart. Most fire stations or emergency rooms also have a tool with which the ring can be opened quickly.
In many cases a jeweler can repair it afterwards. But beware: If your finger turns blue, swells up or is in great pain, you should immediately go to an emergency room or at least the fire department or even a jeweler to have the ring removed. In addition, caution is advised if the finger could be broken. In such a case, under no circumstances should the ring or finger be pulled to avoid aggravating the injury.
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