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?
Hello, this is not an Apple Watch issue. I do not own any Apple products, but came looking for "Apple Watch Wrist Burn" and landed here, because my Garmin watches have done the same thing three times. Replacement of the watch doesn't really help. Like other respondents here, the issue may not arise for a long time, or it may come back after a short while or a long while. Every sports watch with wrist sensors I have investigated has this same problem.
A dermatologist may not be able to tell you more than that you have contact dermatitis. There doesn't seem to be a solution, despite all the manufacturers being aware of the problem.
Advice from multiple sources says to scrupulously clean the sensors and get them completely dry before putting the watch back on (a completely dry) wrist. Don't use perfumed, scented soaps or moisturizers on the wrist. Don't leave the watch on if you are going to have a wet wrist (kind of difficult if you run and sweat...the idea is to remove the watch as soon as possible after a sweaty session).
The basic advice is to keep the back of the watch clean.... There are myriad articles online like this linked one suggesting what to do: https://gadgetsandwearables.com/2023/01/24/fitness-tracker-rash/
I hope this helps. This is a very frustrating problem for all wrist sensor wearers...you never know if you're going to have it happen to you.
I won't be back to reply to comments...as I said, I'm not an Appleite. Good luck/
Don’t wear it at night.
Cleanse skin morning and night with a face cloth and mild skin cleanser.
Wash the watch with the same cloth daily.
Moisturise at night.
Wear it on the other wrist until the skin heals.
Try the other wrist, only wear it during the day, wash wrist and watch morning and night with water . If it still happens, this is not the Watch for your skin.
The SE hardly ever raises these complaints by the way.
It’s most likely you simply got a chemical irritant under the watch and it needs to be washed off. Recommend routinely cleaning it- and your wrist. I know it sounds crazy- I’ve had the same thing a few times and able to trace it back to a residual irritant from earlier in the day or previously. Usually cleaning agents.
Turned off the heart monitor no longer burns my skin
Jeff Donald wrote:
Search <contact dermatitis images> on Google and you’ll see the same images. Consult a dermatologist or your primary care physician.
That completely accurate suggestion rarely goes over well.
My Apple Watch 7 is burning my wrist as well. i don't think it's an allergic reaction to the strap or materials but is caused by the watch running too hot. When i first used it (May 2022), setting up the apps etc caused it to run quite hot. Once it settled down the irritation passed. This week (Dec2022) i have activated the sleep tracking app which has resulted in increased battery usuage and i assume added heat. As a result i now have burns and blisters on the point of contact with the sensor
it seems like. I did the whole process and they ended up sending me an article of how to clean my watch. According to them it’s a skin reaction to some product that I use and got between my skin and the watch lol. So I have to clean my watch more often and that will keep me safe lol
I agree. My recommendation for people with such delicate skin is
Firstly wear it in the other wrist for a while to allow healing
Wash your wrists night and morning.
Moisturise at night
Use a damp facecloth to wash your watch back and strap every night.
Do not wear it at night.
If it persists, stop wearing it and see a doctor, and if you suspect nickel sensitivity or cement burns for builders and DIY consider either a barrier cream or the plastic backed SE watch
Search <contact dermatitis images> on Google and you’ll see the same images. Consult a dermatologist or your primary care physician.
See a dermatologist and contact Apple Support.
Stop wearing them and contact Apple as advised many times above.
Then your doctor.
None of the volunteers on here can help you.
Stop wearing it and contact Apple as advised many times above.
Then your doctor.
None of the volunteers on here can help you.
Skintifique protective cream HPS for metal irritation
I can now wear my Apple Watch again because of this cream.
You’re welcome
I think it is an allergic reaction to the material in the back of the watch. Before smartwatches I had same symptoms with watches with stainless steel backs. I first thought it was some poison ivy or similar that got under the watch. My Dr said it was very likely an allergic reaction to the nickel in SS back. I let it heal and put tape on the back of the watches and that eliminated the problem.
When the Apple watch came out I was concerned the the SS in the back would result in the same allergic reaction. One can't take the back of the watch since that would cover the sensors.
Apple uses pure materials to help eliminate the possibility of an allergic reaction but for some users they have a reaction. I do not have such reaction. See:
ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO YOUR APPLE WATCH? - Nereides
A Rare Nickel Allergy Proves Apple Cares About Customer Satisfaction
Yes, Your Apple Watch Is Giving You A Rash
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)
Apple Watch Sensor burns
