Answer Angel: Swollen fingers

Ellen Warren, Tribune News Service on May 19, 2026

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Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Until recently I never had this problem before, but in the warm weather, my fingers are swelling up. The swelling isn’t a huge amount but it makes my rings — especially my new engagement ring! — really difficult to remove to give my fingers a rest.

I tried using lubricants to enable me to slip off the rings but that hasn’t been successful, and working on the removal actually makes my fingers swell up even more.

Can you or your readers suggest another way to solve this problem?

--Carla J.

Dear Carla: I put your question to my friend Kerry F., an emergency room doctor, who often sees this when patients come in with severely swollen fingers and cannot get the rings off with home methods — like soap and water, Vaseline or hand lotion. (Windex also works.)

Kerry says her first try method is a simple one that does not require a trip to the ER or urgent care clinics “but it’s a long process and requires some patience.” She uses ice to get the swelling down. It works best if patients rest their elbow on a table to hold the hand vertically at the same time as applying the ice (in a baggie or ice pack). Or, if that’s too awkward, place the finger in a bowl of ice, applying more ice as it melts.

If that doesn’t work, ERs have a special electric or battery-operated ring-cutting tool or a skinny scissors-type tool to cut the ring off. But I once avoided that expense and went to a jeweler who said he sees this problem often and does the same thing using a device to cut the ring(s) off for free. (They then can repair the band—for a fee.)

YouTube has numerous videos showing how to wrap the finger tightly with dental floss, a strip of nylon cut from panty hose or a length of narrow silky ribbon to work the ring off. These are easier to watch than to explain here. Bottom line: Don’t panic. Take your time and there’s a good chance you can DIY this problem.Angelic Readers

Many readers were eager to share their solutions with Katie K., who needed help ridding her white/gray hair of a yellowish color. Sondra M. buys Clairol Shimmer Lights shampoo for blond & silver (drugstores, $19.99). Linda C. also is happy with Clairol Shimmer Lights, which she uses once a week “to tame any yellow tinge.” Luanne M. was using Shimmer Lights too “until one of my hair dresser friends recommended Olaplex No. 4P once a week (walmart.com, $28.95; ulta.com, $34)." In between she uses Garnier Fructis Pure Clean purifying shampoo ( ulta.com, drugstores, $4.99 and up). Cindy M. uses Kitsch solid shampoo and conditioner bars: “These are also great for travel because they aren’t liquid ( target.com, drugstores, $13.99).” Cindy’s pro tip is to soak the bars briefly in warm water before using to get a quick lather.

Linda M. writes: “I rotate among three products. The rotation seems to keep the yellowing at bay. Purple shampoo, clear shampoo and (believe it or not) swimmers’ shampoo. I also rotate among purple, white and clear cream rinse. It sounds like a lot, but once I got the routine down, no more yellow!” From Mimi W.: “After trying many products over the years, the best shampoo I have found is Hair Biology silver & glowing. I used to get it at Target but now can only find it at Walmart (walmart.com, $19.98).” Nina P.’s regimen uses two products for best results: Paul Mitchell Shampoo One (gentle wash) every other day ( cvs.com, $16.99); Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two (“clarifying”) once a month ( target.com, $16.59). She says, “I tried purple shampoos but found they colored my ears and skin as well and built up behind my ears.” Marg M. stopped coloring her hair a few years ago but continues to use the same shampoos she always used (Pantene and L’Oréal) with great success and her hair stays a flattering white.