Some people may not think about the realm of injuries that relates to certain ring types, but those who have experienced them or know someone who has are well aware that they're no joke. One particular type of ring-related injury that's especially dangerous is known as ring avulsion. 

At Enso Rings, we proudly offer a wide selection of handcrafted silicone rings and other styles for a huge range of purposes -- including those looking to avoid ring avulsion, also sometimes known as degloving in some situations. What exactly is ring avulsion, why is it dangerous, and how do silicone rings help anyone who wears them with avoiding it? Here's a basic primer.

Degloving and Ring Avulsion

When we talk about ring avulsion and related degloving injuries, what's being referred to is cases where a traditional metal or stone ring becomes caught on something. The resulting friction and tension can cause the ring to pull at the finger when it's unable to move anywhere else, and the results can range from minor to extremely severe injury. Generally, there are three classes of ring avulsion:

• Class I: The lowest class, this refers to when blood can still easily make its way through the hand and the injured finger, and/or the injury is only to the fingertip area. Class I ring avulsion issues can usually be managed with some basic cleaning and bandaging.

• Class II: In Class II ring avulsion, blood can no longer flow properly to the fingertip, and more severe injuries such as partial or total degloving can occur. In cases where a ring has caused a Class II avulsion injury, it may be necessary to involve a surgeon.

• Class III: The most severe type of ring avulsion, also often called degloving, is when the finger is stripped of some level of tissue, if not the entire finger. This can obviously cause immense pain, and often requires both surgery and some form of follow-up care such as skin grafts.

People at Risk of Ring Avulsion

While anyone who wears a traditional metal ring is technically at risk of ring avulsion, it's true that this is a relatively rare occurrence -- at least for most of us. For certain groups, however, it's a much higher risk if they wear a metal ring regularly, such as:

• Firefighters, paramedics or first responders: When firefighters or other first responders are working, they may need to quickly remove their gloves in an emergency. If they're not careful, their rings can get caught on the gloves and cause serious avulsion injuries. There are also several other ways rings may get in the way or become caught during normal operations for these individuals.

• Construction workers or manual laborers: Anyone who often works with their hands is at a higher risk for ring avulsion, as there's always the possibility that a ring may get snagged on something.

• Those with certain medical conditions: Arthritis, for example, can cause fingers to swell unexpectedly. If this occurs while wearing a metal ring, it can act as a tourniquet of sorts and cause serious avulsion issues when trying to remove the ring later.

• Bar or restaurant workers: From getting caught on aprons or gloves to having rings become coated in oils or other liquids, there are several ways those who work in food service may find themselves at a higher risk of ring avulsion.

How Silicone Rings Help Prevent Avulsion Injuries

Luckily, those who are concerned about potential ring avulsion injuries have a simple, affordable solution: silicone rings. Here are some of the ways they help prevent ring avulsion:

• Less likely to catch in the first place: First and foremost, silicone rings are much less likely to catch on things and cause avulsion injuries in the first place. This is due to both their pliability compared to metal rings and the fact that they're often smoother overall, without protrusions that may snag. While a traditional ring will have both metal and often a jagged, protruding stone that can snag on things, a silicone ring's smooth exterior is much less likely to get caught.

• Automatic breaking: High-quality silicone rings, like those we offer at Enso Rings, are specifically designed to break off if they become snagged. This is thanks to a built-in breaking point that's designed to give way under too much pressure, rather than cause an avulsion injury.

• Easy to remove: If you happen to be in a setting where you're worried about avulsion, even with a silicone ring, you can simply remove it and place it in a pocket without any concern of it getting snagged. This is in contrast to metal rings, which can be difficult and dangerous to remove quickly if you think avulsion may be a risk.

If you're someone who is at a higher risk of ring avulsion due to your occupation or other factors, silicone rings are definitely worth considering as an alternative to traditional metal rings.

Choosing a Great Silicone Ring

If you've decided to give silicone rings a try to help prevent potential avulsion injuries, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind when choosing one to ensure you get the best possible ring.

First, be sure to choose a ring that's made of high-quality materials. Cheaper silicone rings may not have the same level of durability and safety features as more reputable options, so it's important to choose wisely.

Second, pick a ring that comes in a style you love. Just because silicone rings are a more practical choice doesn't mean they have to be boring! At Enso Rings, we offer a wide variety of colors and styles to choose from, so you're sure to find something that's ideal for your needs.

For more on this, or to view our wide selection of silicone rings, speak to our team today.