Ringless

  1. FyreGoddess says:

    I’ve known a couple of women who can’t wear their rings on their fingers, and the best solution I’ve seen is to wear it on a chain (or silk cord?) around your neck instead.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Do you have a reaction to nail polish? Could you try coating the inside of one of the cheap rings with clear polish, to see if that helps? If so, it may be an easy solution for the good ones, or even a nice medium value replacement for your good wedding band.

  3. Meghan Williams says:

    you could always go with a “my husband rocks” printed tee.. you know, because nothing screams married like t-shirt love!

  4. Cindy says:

    I can’t wear my rings either. It’s been the last few months – I get a horrible rash and blisters and it itches within hours of putting them on. I had them off for so long, and just put them on yesterday. This morning, itchy pain is making me crazy. They are in my purse right now. Bummer. I never even thought about eczema. 

    My SIL told me to put clear nail polish on the inside of the rings and before I put them on, put a little bit of Vaseline on my finger. I haven’t tried it yet.

    • Anonymous says:

      Sounds exactly like eczema to me. Cortisone cream from the drugstore really helps, but if you get prescription strength, it knocks it right out.

  5. Gertie says:

    Nah.  I don’t think you have to do anything.  I mean you told the guy you were married and it ended.  Besides wearing a ring doesn’t necessarily mean that guys won’t hit on you.

  6. Jenny Lomax says:

    I’m often ringless too.  If I wear mine too long then I get get an itchy, scaly, red band on my skin right where my rings lay.  Years ago I got into the habit of taking them off and putting them in my jewelry box right when I got home. Now, since half my days are spent working in the hospital (where I don’t want germs to get embedded in the rings) and the other days spent at home I hardly ever put them on. Yet I still feel naked when I go in public without them.

  7. Honestly, I wouldn’t worry about it too much.  As long as you and your husband are okay with it, who cares what everyone else thinks? (Makes me think of that Dr. Seuss saying about those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind).  There are plenty of people who wear rings, have miserable marriages and cheat on each other, so as long as you have a solid relationship, I’d say you are ahead of the game!

  8. Sam M says:

    Have you tried platinum? Gold and silver both aggravate the eczema on my fingers but platinum doesn’t as long as I clean it often.

  9. Rebeccah says:

    I can’t wear any kind of earring at all – my pearls are tolerable for an hour or so, but only because they have gold posts. I think this is more of a metal allergy but as someone who also has lovely and gorgeous psoriasis, I completely commiserate with you.

    However, I have found that reducing grains (including beer, sadly) definitely helps. I know you eat an extremely healthy diet, but try cutting out the grains entirely for a week or so and see what happens…

    • Anonymous says:

      Interesting. I’ve been going without grains for a while anyway, just in an effort to cut carbs and I don’t have any eczema right now… Hmmmmm. Also, my ears aren’t pierced anymore because I had a horrible metal allergy. SENSITIVE SKIN, UNITE. 😀

  10. Theambershow says:

    Deal. it’s not your job to announce your marital status to the world. And come on, how flattering that you got hit on, you hot thing! It’s ok. I don’t wear one much, either.

    • Anonymous says:

      I couldn’t help feeling a little guilty, though. Anyway, I told Hubs I think he was REALLY attracted to the idea of being Bruiser’s stepfather. LOL. They’re the ones that connected!  ;D

  11. Nicole says:

    I never wear my ring to work (I work in a filthy, dirty place). I just make it known that I’m married, which I think is all you can do. A ring isn’t always a deterrent. Chris tells me gets hit on more when he wears his ring, even if he’s out with the kids!

  12. Hatta Hall says:

    Obviously you need to get a wedding ring tattoo, lol. I have the same issue I find that gold is the worst and I cannot afford platinum so I have  white gold dipped in rhodium and that seems to do the trick. 

  13. Kimberly says:

    You could always try pasting a index-card sign on your forehead that say’s, “yep, I’m married”.  😉

  14. Kabutler1983 says:

    I’m laughing as I read this because, at 7 1/2 months pregnant, I haven’t been able to wear my wedding rings for a while now! I’m always afraid that people are going to automatically assume I’m an unwed mother – and I even squeeze my band on to make sure there is no chatter when I show up to church with my husband (who still wears his ring – I look like a homewrecker if I don’t!). Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do! And please don’t get a ring tattoo…eck.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ha! I remember those days, of not being able to wear my rings and worrying about what everyone thought of me. My OB said her nurses are CONSTANTLY working with patients to try and get their rings off their swollen fingers!

  15. Anonymous says:

    Wearing the ring on a chain might send a ‘widow’ signal out there so you might not be better off. 🙂

  16. Leigh Kramer says:

    I have sensitive skin and eczema (primarily on my legs) and I have tattoos.  The tattoo ink didn’t irritate my skin so don’t rule out that option.  What other things have you tried for your eczema?  I’m starting to look into magnesium flakes (friend’s children are completely cleared up now!) and I just heard about hazelwood jewelry: http://www.allaboutamber.com.au/hazelwood/hazelwood-necklaces I wonder if you could find a hazelwood ring?

  17. Don’t worry about it! Of course you’ll get hit on – you’re gorgeous. But you can just politely explain that you’re flattered, but you are, in fact, married, but don’t wear a ring. Unless the guy is totally skeevy he’ll leave you alone after that.

    Also, have we really fully considered the “free drinks” angle of this eczema thing?

    • Anonymous says:

      Ha! Actually, Hubs and I always joke that people are going to think I’m his girlfriend when we go out– come to think of it, maybe that’s why someone at a bar we went to once texted one of Dennis’s co-workers and said he was watching Dennis “all hugged up on some 24-year-old” across the bar!  LOL!

  18. Oh, and I don’t wear a ring all the time either, especially when I’m training for BikeMS because it makes my hands swollen when I lean on the handlebars for hours. No big deal.

  19. jackie says:

    I don’t wear my rings like I used to.  They are bothering me the older I get.  My fingers start to ache.  My husband had to have his ring cut off so doesn’t wear one and hasn’t for several years.  So I don’t feel bad.

    Sorry you felt so uncomforatable.

  20. Jo Ann says:

    Not so much for the sake of wearing your ring, but rather your eczema in general…have you tried probiotics? It’s the good bacteria that we often lack in our diets these days because we aren’t getting many fermented foods. They are great to take anyways, but especially if you are having skin issues. My nephew had really bad eczema and it made a world of difference for him and I’ve seen it help so many people with so many things. It also helps with digestion, absorption of  and helps keep you healthier in general because you have enough good bacteria to fend off the bad. If you take it on an empty stomach(w/plenty of water) it will work most efficiently. There are so many possible things that instigate eczema, but this is a great place to start and go from there with your diet if you need to. I hope this helps:)

    • Anonymous says:

      Probiotics. Never thought of that. I’ll try it!

      • Anonymous says:

        My ten year old daughter has had horrible eczema since she was born (also has peanut allergy and has outgrown an egg allergy).  The last few years her skin has been pretty good in the winter, but she has horrible flares on the backs of her upper legs in late summer.  She can barely walk and oozes through her clothes. 

        We have tried probiotics, every cream, oil, moisturizer under the sun.  We discovered last summer that oral Benedryl will clear up the flares temporarily.  But in the last year we have moved to a different town (from farm country to woods), built a house with no carpeting, she has dust mite protective bedding and I now make my own laundry detergent.  We don’t know what did it, but she made it through the summer with clear skin!  So something is working and we don’t know what, but we are going to keep doing what we are doing.

  21. Anonymous says:

    I’ve just stuck with the cortisone cream since it’s limited to my fingers and the cream knocks it right out- at least until I wear a ring again…  I’ll have to look into these other options, though!

  22. Knewman4 says:

    Interesting.  Neither my husband nor I wear our wedding rings—I haven’t worn mine since I “outgrew” it during my second pregnancy, and my husband has never liked rings or jewelry of any kind so he stopped wearing his when I stopped wearing mine.  I worry more about people hitting on him because he is younger than me and very good looking.  And I definitely am not getting hit on these days…sigh.

    But for the most part I believe that if our relationship is solid the rings don’t matter.  I recently learned that before the 1950s men’s wedding rings were not really vogue.  Men’s wedding rings were an invention of the jewelry industry in the post-WWII era!  So, it’s a convention, not a necessity, and I don’t think you led this man on by not wearing a ring.  You nipped it in the bud, and he might have been embarrassed for a minute for I’m sure he quickly moved on.  You’re hot.  You rock.  You’re not a faithless cheater.

    • Anonymous says:

      I guess it made me worry for the first time about what people are THINKING when they don’t see that ring. A lot of people in our community know who we are since Hubs is on TV and I hate the idea that people, even in the backs of their minds, are wondering if there’s some sort of problem in the relationship since I never wear my rings…  Before yesterday, I didn’t really think about it that much.

      You’re right, though. Ultimately the rings don’t matter. The relationship does and I’m happy to be in a great one. 🙂

      • Knewman4 says:

        That makes sense.  You guys are minor “celebrities” to be sure!  On the other hand, if you increase your shoe budget, as was suggested above, the only thing everyone will be thinking is:  where did Lindsay get those awesome Shooties?!

        • Anonymous says:

          LOL!! Nashville is also a very small “big” town. Nicole and Keith sightings are extremely common (not to mention all the “lesser” country stars) and I run into someone I know every minute or so when I’m out.

  23. Jenna says:

    hmm Would a piece of string or pretty ribbon work? I know you said just about everything triggers it, but maybe not fabric? Who knows.

    This reminds me of a story my mom told me. She had a deal with her friend that when she got pregnant, her friend would have to get married. So, at 9 months pregnant with me, fingers too swollen for rings, my mom went to the bookstore for a book she had heard about on tv. She asked the bookseller where she could find “How to Find a Husband in 30 Days.” He looked at her big belly and frowned. She was mortified and kept saying, “I’m married! It’s for a friend!”

    Jenna
    callherhappy.com

  24. Anonymous says:

    Work your husband into the conversation as soon as possible.  When he asked if you come there often, you could have said, “My husband and I bring the kids here most weekends.”  This sort of thing has worked for me, and I wear my rings.  If the man is just having a friendly conversation, it doesn’t offend him, and if he’s on the prowl, it sends the message that you are very married.

    Since you can’t wear rings or earrings, I think you should buy more shoes.  Tell Hubs I gave you permission.

  25. me.burke says:

    I don’t usually wear my wedding ring, though I wish I could.  When I first got it, it was just fit.  But once I got pregnant with my first, apparently I even gained weight in my fingers because my ring was just a tad too small.  I could get it on, but I always ended up with a big ring of red skin, with raised edges, and it usually ended up as a blister.  So I have actually been wearing it on a necklace, though I don’t always put it on.  I’m hoping that I’ll lose this extra finger weight, maybe I should try finger pushups?

    • Anonymous says:

      You know, it might not necessarily be your fingers so much as your knuckles. Mine definitely expanded after I had kids and I have a much harder time getting the rings over my knuckles than I used to. However, I’m sure if you google “how to lose finger weight,” you’ll find… SOMETHING.  ;D

  26. Melissa says:

    I don’t have any solutions for you. But I’m cracking up. That is one bold lifeguard! 

    I always had kind of the opposite problem – when I was single, I’d wear costume jewelry on my wedding ring finger to avoid getting hit on, because it seemed like the creepy guys were the only ones attracted to me. *shudder* 

  27. Jen says:

    A good friend of mine was a NICU nurse for many years; wearing rings to work was out of the question. So she wore her wedding ring on a fine chain around her neck, so she could tuck it into her scrub top. It’s not that uncommon, actually!

    But I’d say if rings hurt your hands, and you and your husband are okay with your not wearing them, don’t worry what other people say. You know you’re happily married, and that’s what really counts. If they want to quiz you about why you’re not wearing one, tell ’em you’re allergic to the metal. If they continue to prod at you after you provide a polite and reasonable response, honestly, they have waaaay bigger problems…

    • Anonymous says:

      You make excellent points. 🙂 Hubs understands only because he’s seen me suffer with the outbreaks. If I wasn’t wearing them and there was no good reason, I’m sure he wouldn’t be quite so understanding!

  28. Lawsforclouds says:

    A few people I know paint their rings inside with clear nail polish to prevent reactions. Could be worth a try?

  29. rubberbacon says:

    Oh Lindsay, I’m sorry!  Let me share a story.  I grew up in a strict Christian church that doesn’t believe in women wearing make-up, jewelry, pants or cutting hair.  So no one wears wedding rings.  My mom never wore wedding rings.  It’s okay!  And it’s kinda cute the way your husband reacted and your reaction was 100% moral.  Don’t let this bother you.  Just know there are women and men in this country who don’t wear wedding rings.  I believe Amash and the very strict Mennonite community included.

    • Anonymous says:

      And now I know why the idea of Amish living has always strangely appealed to me. It’s the beards that kill it for me.

  30. Peaceful says:

    I had a friend who had one tattooed on because of his skin issues. Doesn’t seem like your style, but I thought I’d throw that out there.

  31. CeCe says:

    I have Scleroderma which comes with a host of soft tissue issues (heh, I rhymed). And I have terrible eczema on my hands. Think peely, dry, burnt in cooking grease hands. I almost gave up wearing my rings forever until I had to go to a huge pastor’s wife function… which, admittedly, I did NOT want to shop up sans rings to. In desperation I grabbed The Teens tiny tube of allergen blocker nose slime stuff. Been wearing my wedding set ever since.

  32. Claire Hennessy says:

    I cured myself of horrible eczema naturally using homeopathic remedies and creative visualisation, but I sympathise with you. It was horrible when I had it. I wouldn’t worry a damn what other people think of your marital status as it’s none of their business!
    I’m delighted to award you The Versatile Blogger Award:http://clairehennessy.blogspot.com/Have a great day 🙂

  33. Sabrina D. says:

    I Have nothing to add to rings other than you can also try titanium, it’s commonly used in body piercing jewelry and is the lest likely to cause any allergic reactions–also look into it for earrings. My daughter has a major allergy to metals especially for earrings and she wears titanium with no problem but her most worn earrings are actually medical grade plastic that i bought on Amazon…not metal means no problem!

  34. Mary says:

    I wouldn’t care what people think, I only wear my ring about half the time, and my husband never wears his.  We’re still just as married.  However, if it’s important to you, coat one of the cheap rings with clear nail polish, inside and out.  I bet that would keep it from irritating your skin.

    • Anonymous says:

      I need to try that, but now that I’m thinking about it so much, I’m realizing that liquid soap is one of the biggest problems and until my kids can reach a soap dispenser themselves, I can’t avoid that stuff. Yargh.

  35. julia says:

    i work in a hospital where ‘foam in, foam out’ has become a motto.  we have foamy alcohol outside of every door.   the foam would get under my wedding band and cause blistering.  i stopped wearing my ring, the blisters went away.  my husband has no problems with me not wearing my wedding band.  however at 55, and 50 pounds overweight,  i dont have to worry about someone making a pass at me.  

    • Anonymous says:

       The soap is the biggest problem for me, I think. I realized yesterday when I tried to wear my ring to the supermarket that I have to take one of my kids to the bathroom every time we go somewhere, and generally, neither one of them can reach the soap, so I have to get it for them and then rinse it off my hands as well. Within seconds, my skin was burning under the ring and today, the blisters are back. *sigh* I REALLY need to quit wearing it altogether, but I just can’t!!

  36. CJ says:

    When my husband or I get hit on, we take it as a nice compliment and brag about it to each other. We find the compliment makes us feel sexier, which usually leads to sex that same night. Great benefit!

    About the eczema, my son has big patches of eczema on his legs, and after the three times a day eucerin treatment, I thought he might just be stuck with it. To help with a different problem, I started putting two big glugs of white vinegar in his bath water each night. His eczema is TONS better! It has not gone away, but he no longer scratches it raw and I have to look for it to see it. He never smells like vinegar after his bath. If you’re still willing to try another odd remedy, try applying some diluted vinegar to your hands (or where-ever).

  37. megan flowers says:

    My husband does not wear a ring for the same reason. His finger looks like a giant piece of red swollen sausage. It does not bother that he can`t wear it. He has told me that he would tattoo it but I don`t feel it is necessary. I had a friend say “my husband would wear his ring no matter what” wow really? 

  38. ColleenerBeaner says:

    I like the tattoo idea!! That way if there’s ever a time where you are able to rid yourself of that nasty eczema and wear your ring again it’ll cover the tat and for the times you are unable to wear the ring you’ll still have your little piece of “I’m married stop talking to me” to flash at creepers!

  39. ACV says:

    I think others have said this, but don’t wear the wedding ring on a chain as a necklace – that’s what a widow at my church does. It’s sweet, but you wouldn’t want people thinking your husband had died, of course.

  40. […] told you why you might see me around without a wedding ring on and was asked the WORST QUESTION […]

  41. C.R. says:

    You very well could have an allergy (on top of the eczema). Try a platinum ring. Most people are not effected by that metal. Pricey, but well worth it if you can wear a wedding ring! Most jewelers have a return policy too, so you could try out a simple platinum band and see if it works.

    • suburbanturmoil says:

      My wedding ring is platinum, so it’s not that, unfortunately… Thanks for the suggestion, though. It might help someone else who reads this post.

  42. Sarah WM says:

    My hubs can’t wear his ring anymore due to a similar issue, though I feel like it’s not as big of a deal for a guy to not wear a ring. Take care of your skin first, and deal with whatever snide or awkward remarks that may come later? One would hope that a guy wouldn’t take it personally if there was a misunderstanding and if a PTA mom gets all judgy then she isn’t worth your time anyway.

  43. Jijiha says:

    I know this is three years later but 1) I wear my wedding ring when I feel like it and often mix it up…who said I have to wear the same one every day?! .. I’m all for variety. AND more important, 2) I had a gluten free chapter for a couple months, one day I looked down at my hands and noticed ALL of my eczema was gone. And it hasn’t returned in the 2 years since. Well worth the bread free months.

    • suburbanturmoil says:

      Interesting… Now that you mention it, I’ve been off bread/starches/sugars for over a week now and no eczema. Hmmmm.

  44. Meggan says:

    I have the same issue!! I have since put my rings on a necklace with some charms my girls gave me but I am forever forgetting to put it on in the mornings!

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