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?

⭐️A solution??⭐️ I picked up a sensor cover on Amazon to rule out it being the materials the sensor is made of. Still got the rash. Have now turned off wrist temperature tracking (watch app—> cycle tracking—> toggle off) and cardio fitness and irregular rhythm notifications in the watch’s heart app. NO RASH. I’m now adding back fitness tracking because I’m curious whether it is the addition of the wrist temperature sensor that was new to the series 9 that’s given me problems. It’s been a few hours and so far so good. Usually, I have the rash back within an hour, so this is progress.

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

I have zero history of skin irritations and this 100% only started once I switched to my new Apple Watch in December. The irritated areas also don’t go away once you stop wearing the watch. They improve but after months of not wearing it, I’ll get the reaction within an hour if I try to wear it again. I’ve been a die-hard Apple user since iphone came out originally, so this is a bummer.

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!

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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I’m so glad I’m not alone in this!!! I’ve worn apple watches for years with no issues but the series 8 has destroyed my wrist. I switched it to my other wrist and it started doing the same thing. I didn’t wear my watch for weeks in order to let my wrist heal completely, and after a full day I started getting irritation again. It’s so frustrating. I love my apple watch but I might be investing in another brand, sadly.

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.

Nope. I’ve done all those things. Even to the point where I’d take it off if I washed my hands and only put it back on once my hands were fully dry. I wash it with non-soap cleanser and wipe it with alcohol at the end of each day and get in all the nooks and crannies. It’s not a cleanliness issue/ wearing habits issue.

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!