Watch sensor burns

As mentioned in my previous post, I got this lump on my skin while wearing Apple Watch and still have it there today. I did have it on my skin 10 months ago and still do today. I did discontinue use and see my doctor, which led to me getting rid of the watch. Treatments haven't helped so far. Does the all knowing, all powerful Apple Watch User Guide say anything about when nothing seems to get rid of these 'sensitivities'?

Hi. Same thing has happened to me on 4th June. Initially my Apple Watch 4 (purchased Oct 2018) was sent to Ireland for investigation. I’ve now been informed it’s been sent to America?! What’s happened so far with yours? I have scarring on my wrist from a suspected 1st degree burn.

Hi guys,

I sold my Apple Watch Series 4 GPS 44mm 10 months ago. Shortly beforehand I stopped wearing the watch because a hard, raised red spot/bump appeared on top of my wrist, right under the watch sensors.

Fast forward to today and I still have it, 10 months later. Haven't worn any type of watch since. Has anybody else got something like this and it hasn't gone away? My doctor did various tests and didn't know what it was. Told me to stop wearing a watch and I was prescribed a topical cream that didn't work on it. No allergies that I'm aware of. Currently using Tea Tree oil but it's not making much difference just dries it out and reduces the redness but doesn't remove it. You can feel there is a hard area beneath it, almost like when you have a wart or something. It seems stubborn to get rid of.

The Apple Watch is almost certainly the cause since I haven't had anything else on it. I don't think it's a burn but could be wrong. I just want to warn people that if you get this you might not be able to get rid of it easily. Anybody else had long term effects?

This exact thing is happening to me too. I have a Series 2 that seems to work fine, but burns my skin badly. It does die every single day, I have to charge it every night. I only wear it during the day and am very careful about it not being on my wrist too tight or loose. I also rinse it every time I work out so no sweat stays on it or my skin.

That's pretty interesting and quite scary information. From reading through the discussion there seems to be many different skin irritations caused by Apple Watch with varying levels of severity. Mine is rarely painful or itchy so doesn't really effect my quality of life except for the fact its annoying to see it there and now prevents me from wearing any watch on my left wrist.

I live in Ireland so a relatively cold climate here all year round, if we're thinking about environmental factors.

CFHornet_18 wrote:

That’s bad. How can Apple keep selling without a warning. I’m still suffering from burn symptoms.

I know this doesn't help people with the burns and skin irritations but with every Apple Watch they include a piece of paper that says "Before using Apple Watch, review the Apple Watch User Guide at support.apple.com/guide/watch."

In that guide you'll find the following:

Skin sensitivities Some people may experience reactions to certain materials used in jewelry, watches, and other wearable items that are in prolonged contact with their skin. This can be due to allergies, environmental factors, extended exposure to irritants like soap, sweat, or other causes. You may be more likely to experience irritation from any wearable device if you have allergies or other sensitivities. If you have known skin sensitivities, please take special care when wearing Apple Watch. You may be more likely to experience irritation from Apple Watch if you wear it too tightly. Remove Apple Watch periodically to allow your skin to breathe. Keeping Apple Watch and the band clean and dry will reduce the possibility of skin irritation. If you experience redness, swelling, itchiness, or any other irritation or discomfort on your skin around, or beneath, your Apple Watch, please remove Apple Watch and consult your physician before resuming wear. Continued use, even after symptoms subside, may result in renewed or increased irritation.

Apple Watch models with a stainless steel or aluminum case, the stainless steel portions of some Apple Watch bands, the metallic portions of Hermès bands, and the magnets in the watch and bands contain some nickel. Nickel exposure from these materials is unlikely, but customers with known nickel allergies should be attentive when wearing them until they can determine they are not experiencing an allergic reaction.

The Apple Watch case and the Apple Watch bands contain trace amounts of acrylates and methacrylates. Acrylates and methacrylates are found in many consumer products that come in contact with the skin, such as adhesive bandages. Some people may be sensitive to them, or may develop sensitivities over time. Apple Watch and its bands are designed so that parts containing acrylates and methacrylates are not in direct contact with your skin.

The materials used in Apple Watch and the Apple Watch bands meet the standards set for jewelry by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, applicable European regulations, and other international standards.

And did your doctor perform an allergy test for the following materials

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204665

If it is a burn, then you should have a very short battery life. If you still get a full day out of your Apple Watch battery, it would not be drawing enough power to burn you.

But if you have a very short battery life, then there could be a short circuit in the watch, and that would require a repair or replacement. If that is the case, then contact Apple Support (see the Contact Support link at the top of this page).

I have the rose gold watch and I am burned in two places. I am wondering - were you all wearing sunscreen or anything else on your skin prior to putting your watch on? I feel like my theory is that I applied sunscreen maybe like 10 minutes before my watch (normally I apply once my watch is already on) then went out and did a workout and BOOM 💥 my wrist was burned by the time I came home - been wearing it for like 2 years this has never happened. It seems hard to believe that it’s an allergy ... I did wear it on my other wrist today (no sunscreen this time) and it was fine. Obviously hesitant to ever wear it again though. But yea it’s not just where the sensor is - also was on the outside of my wrist where the strap was - which also has metal. That’s why I am thinking it had something to do with a reaction from the metal in combination with something else that was already on the skin. Would love to know if Apple has responded to anyone about this.

I found this site because I took my Apple series 5 watch off last night and found a red mark under where the sensor is too!. I have had the watch a few months and wear it at night for sleep app purposes. I recharge in the morning before work and then wear it to work and take it off when I get home. This is the first time I have had a red mark. There is no pain, so I think the mark may be an allergic reaction, however I note that others don't get pain until the next day. I love the features that my watch offers and I will be very upset if I cant continue to wear it. My watch cost $AUD850. Its a big investment.

I’ve got one too... Worn my Apple Watch for about a year and a half, I do not have a nickel allergy or any type, it’s definitely not too tight and it’s not overheating. Yet it is leaving burn marks on my wrist that just do not seem to go away. I’ve got a series 4.

My wrist is burned and has a significant bump. I have had the watch for 2 years. This also happened about 6 months ago. I didn't wear the watch for a week and it got a little better. Now it's back! It's bad. Who are you all contacting to let apple know? I love this watch but can't wear it if I'm going to get injured.…

Update. I spoke to a “supervisor” in the safety department and he was super rude and kept telling me I’m allergic to the materials in the watch. I told him I’ve had it for over a year, I’m not allergic, and this wound is not an allergic reaction. He was very rude and I got nowhere. Clearly my watch is defective or malfunctioning and I believe it should be looked at or replaced. Now my burn is starting to scab and the lump is getting smaller.

You raise a great point! I struggle with this burn three to four times a year (this is three weeks in now) and like you I typically apply my sunscreen while my watch is on but thats not always 100% the case. I’m pretty sure I applied my sunscreen prior to putting on my watch this day because I remember that I didn’t want the overspray gumming up the screen.

I hope it’s something as simple as that. :) That’s still an unacceptable defect but possibly one I can work around.

I have had the same. Got Apple watch 6 in Dec. Fine until a few days ago. Wore overnight for first time Previous day had used Health app inc. ECG . Not worn to day but area feels burning . Initially no pain.