Skin irritation started under Apple Watch sensor

I've been using the same Apple Watch with Aluminium case since 2018 and contact dermatitis appeared out of nowhere. After 6 years!!

I changed the wrists and it happened again. Now I've got a brand-new Series 9 with the same Aluminium case as a gift, but I am unsure whether it will cause the same issue.

I wonder if maybe it is because of the Aluminium case and is there anybody experiencing the same issue with stainless steel or titanium cases?

I got my watch in 2020 and I started getting rashes under watch head too. I’m a nurse and I thought it was from washing me hands and it getting wet underneath it. But I been careful to make sure that it’s dry underneath as well. I made sure I clean the watch head. I know it’s not too tight because it slightly rotates around my wrist. I have it where it’s just enough it could move slightly, but not enough to lose the connection so I get my information, I clean the watch all the time. And I don’t wear it to bed at night. I keep it on the charger so it will last all day at work. I thought maybe could’ve been a reaction to a med. The only thing I take is the occasional Tylenol or NSAID. Now that I see so many people have this issue I wonder what it could be

Unfortunately, the sensor on your new watch is different than the sensor on your old watch. Several folks report irritation, blisters and even burns with newer watches.

Apple wants you to call Apple Support and report the issue.

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Make sure the band is not too tight and that the skin is completely dry when wearing the watch. This might happen but take some days with the watch on the other hand so it can go away. Hope it helps.

I’ve had my watch for almost a year and a half. No issues at all until a couple months ago, and suddenly minor dermatitis both under the sensor *and* on the inside of my wrist where the metal connector rests. 🙄 idk!

But at least you’re not alone.🙃

I don’t think I’ll be able to make the switch to my right wrist, so I’ve been playing with creative problem solving.

I put a little round Band-Aid over the metal connector thingy.

The sensor is a little more tricksy. For obvious reasons.

I did find something which I think works… Or seems to work…It’s hard to set up air descent control experiment to verify…

Right now I’m using a short section of elastic pet bandage to create a thin translucent barrier. I wear my watch over it and, as far as I can tell, measurements seem to be pretty normal. (I’m still slightly in disbelief that that’s actually working.)

I use the pet bandage hack about half a day, use the watch like normal about a quarter of the day (and with Band-Aid over the metal connector thing). And take the watch off completely for about a quarter of the day.

I keep the skin clean, lightly moisturized, and dab a bit of topical cortisol. it’s definitely not getting worse and seems to be getting better. Slowly.

I don’t know what caused it. The immune system is complex, dynamic, and not an island unto itself. Its also not really an instant response alert system. A butterfly might have flapped their wings by your ear and two weeks later a barely discernible hint of redness appears on your wrist. it might resolve completely. It’s also possible to become sensitized to materials or substances, and that’s often irreversible.

Hope that helps some! 😁 Let me know if you have any questions, want a link to my vet bandage supplier, or anything.

[Edited by Moderator]

My wife has been experiencing this from day one too. We got a Series 8. For the first 6-7 months, she did not wear it as she was not habituated to a watch, but gradually, as she tried, it created redness within a day, and it got bad. We have been attempting sanitizing, changing the belt, moisturizing everything, and nothing works. It has to be a metal or a sensor-based reaction. Is Apple doing anything about it? They should ideally replace watches or speak about this actively.

Hey! Curious to know if you ever found a solution that worked for you? I’ve had an Apple Watch since 2018 and never had an issue until Dec 2023. I called Apple about it last week, spent 45+ minutes on the phone, was escalated to a safety advisor and then my case was sent to engineering. 5 days later I finally got a call back and all they were prepared to do is lecture me on how to wash my watch (which I already do, religiously). Very frustrating!

I’m a nurse as well and thought it was from the moisture under the sensor. I didn’t have issue with my old series 3, but the Ultra 2 is causing me problems. Maybe a tegaderm or small hydrocolloid patch under it would help? Frustrating.

Same thing happened to me I stopped wearing it and treated the area when it cleared up I waited a week and started wearing it again, the rash came back. So I might be done with the Apple Watch Series 6 🥺 and I loved wearing it.

I’ve had multiple Apple Watches, various series and upgraded to the series 9 two months ago. I’ve reacted twice now in two separate areas on my wrist to the sensors (both of which are taking ages to heal). I don’t feel I can wear the watch anymore without having a plaster on underneath to stop the sensors causing me itching, discomfort and my skin breaking. With the plaster on a lot of the monitoring functions don’t work so spending out on getting the new watch was a total waste!

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Community.

We want to make sure you reach the right team for help with your device. We recommend that you contact Apple Support directly. Depending on your region, you may be able to reach them here: Get Support.

Judging by the fact that millions of users wear Watches every day with no issues whatsoever, the statistically few of you who do, should accept the fact that the problem is likely your own biology.

Seek help from a dermatologist.