Safety first
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Take the cage off straight away and do not put it back on if you notice pain that does not ease, numbness or tingling, skin turning pale, blue or very dark, swelling, broken skin, or any sign of infection such as heat, redness that spreads or discharge. If any of that does not settle quickly once it is off, see a doctor or call NHS 111.
Always have a way to unlock in an emergency: a spare key somewhere you and a trusted person can reach, or a lock you can open yourself. A keyholder arrangement never includes being unable to get out when your health needs it.
Fit is most of comfort
Most discomfort comes from the fit, usually the ring. Too tight and it pinches or restricts blood flow; too loose and it rubs or slips. The right ring lets you slide a finger under it with a little effort. If you are between sizes, start with the larger.
A cage that is too short presses when you are soft; too long and it moves and chafes. Give any new cage a few days of short wear before a longer lock, and note in your log what rubs and where.
Keeping clean
Rinse under the cage every day in the shower with warm water and a mild, unscented soap, then rinse the soap away completely: soap left behind irritates. Many cages let you clean with a small bottle brush or a cotton bud without taking them off.
Dry thoroughly afterwards, patting rather than rubbing, and let the air get to it for a few minutes. Take the cage off to clean it and yourself properly as often as your arrangement allows; many people do this every few days to once a week. Wash the cage itself with soap and warm water, or as its maker says.
Skin care
Skin under a ring can get sore. A thin layer of an unscented barrier cream or a little coconut oil on the areas that rub helps, but keep it light so it does not trap moisture. Check the skin under the ring and at the tip each day; small red marks that fade are normal, broken skin is not.
Sleep
Night-time erections are normal and are the most common reason people wake in the first week. Going to the toilet before bed, sleeping cooler and a glass of cold water help some people. If you wake in pain that does not ease within a few minutes, take it off: sleep and your health matter more than a streak.
Activity
Most people can walk, work and do light exercise locked. Cycling, running and anything with impact or a saddle deserve care: a short trial first, and a looser or different cage if it rubs. Remove the cage for medical appointments, scans and anything where metal or plastic would be in the way.
Comfort keeps a lock going far longer than willpower does. When in doubt, take it off and look.
All the best, Erik