Skin irritation started under Apple Watch sensor

I’ve had my watch for almost a year and a half. No issues at all until a couple months ago, and suddenly minor dermatitis both under the sensor *and* on the inside of my wrist where the metal connector rests. 🙄 idk!

But at least you’re not alone.🙃

I don’t think I’ll be able to make the switch to my right wrist, so I’ve been playing with creative problem solving.

I put a little round Band-Aid over the metal connector thingy.

The sensor is a little more tricksy. For obvious reasons.

I did find something which I think works… Or seems to work…It’s hard to set up air descent control experiment to verify…

Right now I’m using a short section of elastic pet bandage to create a thin translucent barrier. I wear my watch over it and, as far as I can tell, measurements seem to be pretty normal. (I’m still slightly in disbelief that that’s actually working.)

I use the pet bandage hack about half a day, use the watch like normal about a quarter of the day (and with Band-Aid over the metal connector thing). And take the watch off completely for about a quarter of the day.

I keep the skin clean, lightly moisturized, and dab a bit of topical cortisol. it’s definitely not getting worse and seems to be getting better. Slowly.

I don’t know what caused it. The immune system is complex, dynamic, and not an island unto itself. Its also not really an instant response alert system. A butterfly might have flapped their wings by your ear and two weeks later a barely discernible hint of redness appears on your wrist. it might resolve completely. It’s also possible to become sensitized to materials or substances, and that’s often irreversible.

Hope that helps some! 😁 Let me know if you have any questions, want a link to my vet bandage supplier, or anything.

[Edited by Moderator]

I just discovered a rash under my Apple Watch today. Did a quick google search and found this thread immediately. Tried to upload a picture, but Apple is not allowing it. This is my 2nd Apple Watch. I have a Rose Gold Apple Watch SE purchased brand new Jan 2021. I have worn this watch, worked out in this watch, washed my hands, swam in it, and everything else religiously since then. This is the first time I’ve ever had any sort of skin irritation from any watch. My watch is not new… the only thing new is an update. I don’t believe that this is from the equipment, it seems that the OS update has caused some sort of issue with the watch. Apple absolutely needs to do something immediately.

What has worked for me:

1) healed my skin with a combo of washing the area with cetaphil, drying thoroughly, applying hydrocortisone cream and aquaphor. Ask your dr what will work for you. Everybody’s different.

2) once healed, I bought a sensor cover tape off Amazon. It’s clear, goes on, and stays put.

3) I also bought nylon straps I can adjust properly (unlike the nylon loop apple sells).

4) Wash the watch with the cetaphil daily before you put it on

5) don’t wear the watch 24 hours. Take it off for bed.

6) in the watch app on your phone, go into the blood oxygen app and unclick monitoring, Cycle tracking app and uncheck those functions, Heart app and all those functions.

It’s unfortunate because this negates most of my reason for getting the new Apple Watch last year, but at least I have my reminders, texting and calling back, which are what I’ve missed the most and seem to be lacking in apple watch competitors.

good luck to you all!

Did you read my posts above yours, related to how sensitivities change over time as our bodies change? Sounds like you may be experiencing increased sensitivity to materials used in Apple Watches.

Nickel is a fairly common allergy and estimated to affect about 18% of the population. YouTube has many videos about this. Here’s a short 30 second video by a physician explaining some things.

https://youtube.com/shorts/NqN8ZkJKwGo?si=-q2YU_CXwqJUxz7B

Make sure the band is not too tight and that the skin is completely dry when wearing the watch. This might happen but take some days with the watch on the other hand so it can go away. Hope it helps.

Can anyone link the sensor cover? I currently have an old generation Apple Watch bought in Feb 2016….its still going strong but will need replacing soon. I’ve worn it religiously for almost 8.5 years and only recently started getting issues about 6 months ago of red itchy and sore skin on my wrist. Surely this has all has to be due to an update? I have tried everything above and to no avail. My watch face is damaged and I am looking to replace with an SE but worried I still won’t be able to wear given all the comments!

This is the exact rash I’ve received in the last 4-6 months twice.

I’ve worn an Apple Watch for 10 years. I’m now on my third watch. I purchased the gold one almost 2 years ago.

Never had an issue until the last 6-10 months. I thought I was the only one until I found this thread.

If I wear my watch for a hour now it irritates me and my wrist begins to itch.

Please make an appointment with your primary care physician and get a diagnosis of your condition. Your Dr. may refer you to an allergist or dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis. 

Please let the community know what the diagnosis is and I hope everything goes well.

You may have contact dermatitis caused by an allergic reaction or sensitivity to Nickel in the metal cases or bands. Nickel is used in the hardening process of stainless steel, aluminum and sapphire crystal.

>>In fact, it is estimated that more than 18 percent of people in North America are allergic to nickel, including 11 million children in the U.S.<<

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/insider/nickel-allergy

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nickel-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20351529

The YouTube video, I shared the link to below, is a short 30 second video of a physician describing the condition and his experiences in diagnosing conditions similar to yours.

https://youtube.com/shorts/NqN8ZkJKwGo?si=-q2YU_CXwqJUxz7B

You should also reach out to Apple Support. Apple does not participate in the communities in the forum. If you’re in the US please call 1-800-MY-APPLE or outside the US, consult the support article below.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Same thing happened to me I stopped wearing it and treated the area when it cleared up I waited a week and started wearing it again, the rash came back. So I might be done with the Apple Watch Series 6 🥺 and I loved wearing it.

Judging by the fact that millions of users wear Watches every day with no issues whatsoever, the statistically few of you who do, should accept the fact that the problem is likely your own biology.

Seek help from a dermatologist.

I’m relieved to know I’m not alone here but also, this is not good! After 6 months of wearing my brand new Apple Watch I developed an itchy red spot on my left wrist directly underneath where the crown hits. Then it turned into a growth and I switched the watch to my right wrist. I thought it was suspicious so had my dermatologist biopsy and treat. Turns out it was a Sebaceous Keratosis growth —thankfully benign. After only 2 or 3 months on my right wrist I started getting a red burn-like ring under the watch sensor area and the same(!) red spot that got scaly & itchy directly where the crown dial hits. ****! So now I can’t wear my Apple Watch I guess?

People change throughout their lifetime. When I was a child I got severe rashes from oatmeal. Now, 50+ years later, I eat oats with no issues at all. I moved to Florida in 2001, and 23 years later I’m moving again because I’ve become sensitized to some of the unique pollens and grasses here, at least that’s what my allergist has told me.

The link I shared with you has Apple Support’s phone numbers in various countries and regions around the world.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

What sensor cover are you referring to, the bottle cap labels?

it might happen if the skin is wet when in contact with the watch or strap but if you keep the area dry and always clean it shouldn’t happen. I recommend you to wipe the strap and the back of the watch with some alcohol wipes and to wear the watch on the other hand until the irritation heals. It also happened to me when I washed my hands and some water remained underneath. But cleaning the strap/watch and letting the area heal will solve the issue. 👌🏻