Despite the symbolic representation of love on the fingers with rings, wearing them all the time might be detrimental to one’s health. Experts caution individuals against wearing rings constantly, especially during the night while sleeping.
According to a report from the UK-based Surrey Live website, Neil Dutta, a jewelry expert from the British jewelry store “Angelic Diamonds,” warns that continuous wearing of rings, especially overnight, could lead to skin irritation or allergic reactions, and even bacterial infections.
He stated, “Continuously wearing rings, especially during sleep, creates an environment that can lead to skin issues. Your ring acts like a barrier, trapping moisture, dead skin cells, and bacteria against your skin.”
This could result in contact dermatitis, a condition causing red, itchy rashes, particularly for those allergic to metals. The warm and humid environment in bed can also promote fungal growth and bacterial infections, exacerbating existing skin conditions.
Dutta mentioned that wearing rings to bed could also damage the rings themselves while tossing and turning during sleep. For the sake of your health and the lifespan of your rings, it is advisable to develop a habit of removing them before going to bed.
He explained, “Taking off your ring at night allows your skin to breathe freely, reduces moisture buildup, and minimizes these potential health risks. You can consider it as letting your fingers ‘detox’ every night, freeing them from the constraint of jewelry.”
Furthermore, he noted the benefits for the rings themselves, as wearing them to sleep subjects them to losing their luster and structural damage risks.
Dutta added, “Sleeping with rings on is like torturing them at night. Unnecessary pressure on prongs and settings may loosen the central gemstone’s structure, significantly increasing the risk of loss.”
He mentioned that as many as one-third of engagement rings require repairs due to damaged prongs, with wearing them while sleeping being a primary reason. Taking off rings before bed not only preserves their structural integrity but also reduces the expensive risk of repair or replacement.
The US-based jewelry store “Arden Jewelers” pointed out on its website that when you experience skin irritation, you should first identify the type of reaction. There are primarily two types – physical irritation caused by metal rubbing against the skin, and allergic reactions to jewelry. These types of irritations may look similar but have different root causes and solutions.
Physical Irritation:
This could be triggered by incorrect ring sizing, poorly designed rings, or rough areas caused by normal wear and tear on the ring. For instance, a tight ring might cause irritation, which could be solved by slightly increasing the ring size. If there are rough areas on the ring, a jeweler can usually smooth them out.
It is worth noting that changes in diet can significantly affect finger sizes. Therefore, if a ring has never caused irritation before but suddenly does, it could be due to dietary changes causing slight swelling in your fingers.
Allergic Reactions:
Some individuals are allergic to certain metals used in jewelry. They may develop rashes, discoloration, or even black or green skin after wearing certain jewelry for a few hours or days.
Nickel is one of the most common metals causing allergies, added to pure gold to give it a white appearance. Some people are allergic to silver or pure gold, while others react to solder used in alloy welding.
Similarly, changes in diet can alter the chemical composition of the skin, leading to reactions to metals and metal allergies.
If you experience allergic reactions to metals, the solution varies greatly depending on the cause. The most crucial aspect is to determine the trigger of the allergy. For example, if you start feeling skin irritation after ring sizing, you might be allergic to the solder.
“Arden Jewelers” suggests that when selecting a new metal ring, it’s best to try wearing a ring made of that metal for a few days to see if your skin reacts. Once you confirm it is a suitable metal, the jeweler can craft the ring for you.
In conclusion, “Arden Jewelers” emphasized that while they are experienced jewelers, they are not medical professionals. Therefore, if you experience severe allergic reactions, it’s advisable to seek help from a dermatologist.