Apple Watch Sensor burns

Recently purchased a cellular Apple Watch series 7 and after a few week of wearing I'm noticing that my wrist is red and begin to burn and blister on the skin where the sensor part sits, no marks where the strap is in contact. Is this a known problem and any solutions?

Posted on Oct 3, 2022 1:44 PM

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Posted on Feb 4, 2023 5:28 PM

I purchased an Apple Watch Series 6 about 1 year ago. About a month ago I started noticing that it gives burns on the wrist, either under the watch itself, or on the opposite side under the metallic piece. As a medical professional I can tell you for sure that these are not allergic reactions. These are definitely burns. They don't appear all the time. I wear my watch on a constant basis (night and day) because I have cardiac problems. I use the watch sensors multiple times a day to measure my EKG, blood O2, heartbeats. I also monitor my sleep patterns and so on. I believe Apple is long overdue to explain themselves how could they allow this, considering the price tag they put on this watch. And please, don't send me to the doctor. I trained for 9 years to be able to differentiate a burn versus a skin allergy.

143 replies

Apr 12, 2023 12:50 AM in response to JennyC123

Apple are not suggesting you see a dermatologist, Apple Inc do not post here

Safety information including skin sensitivity recommendations can be found in


Important safety information for Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK)


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


Click here >  Contact - Official Apple Support  


or phone numbers 


Click here > Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support 


We user volunteers are not qualified to answer medical questions but Apple have a specialist team.




Apr 12, 2023 9:39 AM in response to j_t_Hobbs

j_t_Hobbs wrote:

Yes. The problem is in the device not being able to handle the scenario it was supposedly designed and marketed to be able to handle.

Cleaning is NOT the answer!

Fixing the design is the answer!

I am sure Apple would like your design change suggestions

https://apple.com/feedback

Don't make the changes too adventurous, the other 100+ million users with no skin problems may get annoyed.

Jun 15, 2023 9:05 AM in response to Lew T

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. Nobody here is qualified to comment despite some amateur medics attempting to do so.

I want to make sure you reach the right team for help with your Watch.  I recommend that you contact Apple Support directly. Depending on your region, you may be able to reach them here Click here >  Contact - Official Apple Support  or phone numbers Click here > Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support 


Safety information including skin sensitivity recommendations can be found in


Important safety information for Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK) and  Wearing your Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK)


Aug 25, 2023 6:40 AM in response to T4mblot

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. Nobody here is qualified to comment despite some amateur medics attempting to do so.

I want to make sure you reach the right team for help with your Watch.  I recommend that you contact Apple Support directly. Depending on your region, you may be able to reach them here Click here >  Contact - Official Apple Support  or phone numbers Click here > Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support 


Safety information including skin sensitivity recommendations can be found in


Important safety information for Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK) and  Wearing your Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK)


(Shamelessly copied from LD150's previous response)

Sep 8, 2023 12:58 PM in response to Cyn0

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. Nobody here is qualified to comment despite some amateur medics attempting to do so.

I want to make sure you reach the right team for help with your Watch.  I recommend that you contact Apple Support directly. Depending on your region, you may be able to reach them here Click here >  Contact - Official Apple Support  or phone numbers Click here > Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support 


Safety information including skin sensitivity recommendations can be found in


Important safety information for Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK) and  Wearing your Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK)


(Shamelessly copied from LD150's previous response)

Dec 7, 2023 2:07 PM in response to j_t_Hobbs

The green LEDs are used by the heart rate sensor. It is normal for the sensor to take background measurements of your heart rate regularly throughout the day, but the LEDs do not remain permanently lit for this purpose.


You can disable the light by going to your Apple watch settings > select privacy > toggle the Heart Rate off.

What turns on the green blinking lights o… - Apple Community



Jun 15, 2023 7:44 AM in response to DH94-

I've worn an Apple Watch for years without an issue, including a model 7 which I have worn nearly 24/7 for the past year. Just yesterday and for the first time I felt a burning sensation under the watch, took it off and noticed a painful red patch. The picture shown is from this morning after a night not wearing the watch. The red patch is just as intense as when first noticed except it is now less painful. I searched the web and was led to this discussion group. I am surprised by how widespread this issue appears to be and by Apple's apparent lack of support and concern. My watch is the GPS only version (not cellular).

Sep 8, 2023 12:44 PM in response to DH94-

After wearing my watch for almost a year almost daily, I was feeling discomfort and a burning sensation when wearing. I took it off and do not wear anymore because of this issue. Now I have a Permenant circular lightened skin mark on my arm where the watch would sit. My watch is sitting in a drawer now.

Dec 4, 2023 1:36 PM in response to DH94-

I've had the exact issue. But when I contacted Apple, they told me their engineers determined this was some sort of rash or irritation. Which engineers, I have no idea because the support person stated that Apple (the tech company) only has one engineering department. This was in spite of my doctor confirming this was a burn. This also happened with the Series 7 for me.

Apple Watch Sensor burns

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