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My Apple Watch sensor burns

I’ve had my watch for over 2 years and have only recently started getting burn marks on my arm from wearing it. I wear my watch every day and use it for tracking exercise and movement. I’m so disappointed I can’t wear it


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Apple Watch SE

Posted on Aug 6, 2023 1:03 AM

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Posted on Dec 8, 2023 4:57 AM

This happened to me too for the first time last night! I‘ve been wearing my watch for almost 3 years now and it is the first time this happened.


I am quite experienced with dermatitis etc, but this is very clearly and visibly a burn mark. Plus I woke up during the night when it happened and felt that my watch was very hot. My skin turned leathery over the reddened part. It is burning and frankly, I find it annoying that there are commenters in this feed dismissing what people are writing about their injuries. There are 55 people atm who clicked the me too button, so this seems to be a prevalent and frequent issue.

I am hoping this was a one off incident with my watch, but I won‘t be wearing it anymore during the night, in case it does happen again. It took me a while to wake up and notice it and my mark is pretty bad now. It looks like it will leave a scar.

77 replies

Dec 14, 2023 11:06 AM in response to tylerediva

tylerediva wrote:

It isn’t an allergic reaction though. I’ve had my ultra since it was released and it’s only now burning my skin. If it were an allergic reaction I would’ve been getting burned by it since it bought it. I only started getting burned since the last 3 updates


There are many substances that might potentially trigger allergies or irritations.

Those contributed by the materials of the watch among those in the soup surrounding each of us.

The photos posted here look a whole lot like dermatitis or another skin irritation.

But again, see your medical provider.

Oct 19, 2023 9:44 AM in response to Appleburn10

Appleburn10 wrote:

It’s not an allergic reaction! There is no need to go to your Dr. It is 100% related to these Apple Watches!!! I don’t know why or what it is but there certainly seems to be a lot of people dealing with it!! APPLE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE!!

So, if you burn your hand on the tea kettle, there's no need to go to the doctor because it's something the tea kettle manufacturer should handle? That just doesn't make sense.


And, Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user forum for feedback or suggestions. You can let them know your thoughts here:


Product Feedback - Apple

Oct 19, 2023 10:07 AM in response to Appleburn10

Appleburn10 wrote:

It’s not an allergic reaction! There is no need to go to your Dr. It is 100% related to these Apple Watches!!! I don’t know why or what it is but there certainly seems to be a lot of people dealing with it!! APPLE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE!!


Allergic reactions to the materials used with Apple Watch are fairly rare, but are possible.


Other reactions to other substances present (sweat, salts, bacteria, grit, and other such) can be more common.


I’d encourage a discussion with a medical provider for any skin reactions, as various skin reactions including urticaria and dermatitis or other reactions can look similar to the photos and descriptions posted. Rubbing, too, can cause irritation.


Some reactions can be minor and quickly resolve, others more serious. Severe allergic reactions can be fatal.


What has been shown looks less like the usual patterns of a thermal contact burn, but a medical provider will be a better judge of that. Contact your provider. Also contact Apple directly.


Here is what Apple suggests about this topic: Wearing your Apple Watch - Apple Support


Here is one of many case studies: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235224101630024X


TL;DR: Log feedback with or contact Apple, and also check with your medical provider.

Oct 28, 2023 5:03 PM in response to katfromrothwell

Switched from S4 to S9 a month ago and I started getting some skin irritation. No problem with S4 at all. I changed several different positions to wear and tried to find what exact portion of the sensors side causes it. Finally it turned out that my spot injury is right under one of the gaps between the electrical hear sensor plate. I covered it with a small white sticker and the problem is gone since then. My Apple Watch looks functioning as expected. Not sure if this could help others.

Dec 13, 2023 6:54 AM in response to katfromrothwell

I have this exact same problem that has only just appeared. I have been wearing an Apple Watch for over 5 years every single day, and just recently I have started to experience these small marks on my wrist underneath where I wear the watch. I am currently wearing a series 8, and have done since it was released, but it is only in the past month that I have experienced the issue. I wonder what is really going on.


And no, I don't need to see a doctor, and I would like to be able to continue to wear my apples watch, as it has literally helped change my life.


I will maybe try the option recommended of turning off the heart monitor, although that is quite a big reason why I wear the watch.


I do hope Apple are looking into this, as it seems I am not alone.

Jan 7, 2024 11:09 PM in response to katfromrothwell

I’ve been burnt twice recently by my Apple Watch. I have worn 3 different series of the Apple Watch and this never happened until I got the series 8. I have been burned more than once now and it’s pretty disturbing this time. I had a blister and everything. The darker spot is from earlier last week, the blister that I put treatment on. The red ring is from tonight when I felt it burn my skin.

My Apple Watch sensor burns

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