October 27th, 2017

I don't know if you recall or not, but about a year ago I wrote about how suddenly, inexplicably, I was having some sort of reaction to my wedding rings.  I had read of people who developed metal hypersensitivities and it seemed that it was happening to me!  Everytime I wore my lovely rings I would develop a painful rash underneath them that had teeny tiny blisters.  The skin looked raw and red and would swell up so much that I would have to use soap and water to get the rings back off.  It would take weeks of not wearing the rings for the rash to go away leaving behind dry, flaky looking skin.  But as soon as it healed, I would put the rings back on, hoping that the rash reaction was a fluke and it never was.  it was very sad.

It was especially strange because I had no problem wearing bracelets or necklaces or earrings. Just my wedding rings.  I read some article about old metals leaking some sort of salts in very small amounts and thought perhaps that was the problem.   But now I am thinking not.

The last time we travelled, I once again, put my rings on for the trip thinking well, I will wear them as long as I can and when I cannot bear it any longer, I will take them back off.  Oddly, I never had to take them off.  It was a few weeks after we returned to Florida that the rash came back.  Hmmmm Interesting.  Now I am thinking it is some sort of reaction to the water here.  We all know that tap water is different around the country. or perhaps it's the soap. Or the combination of soap and this particular water.  And I wash my hands a zillion times a time.  Any time I am handling food, any time I am cleaning, anytime I use the facilities or work in the yard, or read the newspaper or well, let's just suffice it to say that I am exceedingly clean.  It's not a ritual cleaning thing. It's just clean.

I worked in at least peripherally medical businesses the majority of my life.  Doctors and nurses are very clean people.  I guess I picked up the habit from them.  Always washing, I mean.  So, my guess is the rash is somehow related.  Nevertheless this is where I live now. The place that causes a finger rash under my wearing rings. Awwwwww.  I was very sad.  I missed my rings.  I found myself rubbing the spot where the rings used to be without realizing it.  What they represent is very important to me.  But I'm nothing if not resilient and life goes on, right?

Several people had suggested to me these rubber rings.  Well perhaps not rubber, probably some sort of synthetic nylon/rubber/polymer material that a lot of folks wear when participating in athletic pursuits or working out at the gym etc. And I did look into it, but somehow did not feel moved into purchasing one. I think it was the fact that I couldn't try it on. It was an on line ordering sort of thing.  But I was considering it when.....

A few weeks ago when Joy and I were popping in and out of  dozens of stores on the great dishware adventure, we happened to also go into a few non-dish related stores. One of them right here in my town in a place called The Venice Trading Company that had all sorts of unusual things.  Including some jewelry. Specifically including some beaded rings that are stretchy so they will fit over my bizarrely shaped, arthritically twisted knuckles regardless of the sort of day my hands are having.  I was enchanted.  And at only 3 bucks a piece,  I was in cheapskate heaven!  But we were searching for dishware, not jewelry,  so I did  not buy anything and we went back on the dish hunt.

This week however, the dishes are purchased, my fingers are again healed and I had a few moments to spare and a few dollars in my pocket.  So, determined, we walked back to the Trading Company. I was excited to find that the little basket was still chock-a-block with rings in all sort of colours.  There was only one size small enough to fit me.  The flower pattern says that it is probably intended for little girls but that's ok.  I'm child-like enough to appreciate it.  It was very hard to decide.  I chose the two in the photos above.  One is dark, one is light.  The light colour one has flowers in many colours, red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, going around the band.  The other is strickly light blues on a black background.  I am very pleased!

So far, no rash and I assume that's because there is no metal involved.  They are very comfortable and I'm being careful with them.  I still remove them to wash dishes or work in the yard. But it's so nice, when I come back in and wash up, to once again, wear a ring.  It's not the one Tim gave me on our wedding day and those are still the most important, but for now it will do.

I am once again beringed :)  And it is a happy thing!

I wish you all a wonderful weekend!  Do something Fun!