Apple Watch causing wrist/hand numbness and tingling

I just bought an apple watch and it came today. I also bought one for my husband. I noticed the feeling of like a vibration in my hand. I would describe it as a slight tingling or light vibration. My daughter put it on buy couldn't feel the same thing.

I was wearing it only for a few hours. I took it off and after an hour the feeling went away.

I am very healthy, I also I am very in tune with my body. I really want to keep this device buy this is a really strange feeling.

I will give it a few days or I will have to return it.

I don't feel any of the sensations or numbness that you describe. There is nothing wrong with the  Watch but some people may have a reaction to the materials it contains. Return the watch and try a different product.

Yes. According to the World Health Organization:

"EHS is characterized by a variety of non-specific symptoms that differ from individual to individual. The symptoms are certainly real and can vary widely in their severity. Whatever its cause, EHS can be a disabling problem for the affected individual. EHS has no clear diagnostic criteria and there is no scientific basis to link EHS symptoms to EMF exposure. Further, EHS is not a medical diagnosis, nor is it clear that it represents a single medical problem."

George

I do understand that most US doctors are not aware of the building number of cases of those who are sensitive to radiation -- but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. It took a long time for people to understand that smoking was cancerous. Think of asbestos, chemicals in some plastics. Lead in paint. All began with some cases of people getting sick and it took time for doctors and society to make scientific conclusions.

I can eat all the peanuts I want and I am fine. But I still believe that some people can't handle airborne traces of peanuts. I suffer from senstivity to radiation. I get shooting pains in my ears when I put a cell phone or cordless phone close to my ears. You don't have to believe me. In Norway, electromagnetic sensitivity is considered a recognized disability.

What I can say is if anyone else is feeling pain, tingling, discomfort -- and they think it might be due to sensitivity to radiation -- then check out emf refugee and web advice sites because thousands of people are trying to work on these issues (i.e. reducing exposure).

Paul.

Parber wrote:

I do understand that most US doctors are not aware of the building number of cases of those who are sensitive to radiation -- but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Actually, extensive research has proven that it does not exist. This is not comparable to smoking, asbestos, lead, or anything like that. What is is comparable to is the belief that vaccines cause Autism, that global warming does not exist, and that unicorns are real.

If someone seriously believes they are suffering pain due to radiation, they need to seek the advice of their doctor. Preferably a specialist... specifically, a psychiatrist.

Everyone agrees that there is such a thing as radiation poisoning. And everyone agrees that some people experience side effects from radiation treatments for cancer. So it's IMPOSSIBLE that some people experience discomfort at lower levels of the radiation that everone agrees can cause harm at higher levels? No studies have EVER proven that electromagnetic sensitivity does not exist. US scientists have not proven that it does exist.

I do know that a multi-billion industry (cell phone...) has an interest in keeping any harm caused by low-level radiation quiet. So many things in our lives should be used responsibly -- but not technology?

I feel very lucky to be a member of a few support groups with hundreds of members who experience the same discomfort from wifi, cell phones etc. Most of them LOVE tech and what it contributes to our lives -- but it does make them sick if they use it too much. I love my macbook and my iphone. I love them. But I have to be careful about too much exposure. I think you need to learn how to listen to people who are exactly like you.

This is a user-to-user forum for technical support, not a debating society - read the terms of use you agreed to.

If you are experiencing medical symptoms from wearing the watch, got to see a doctor or return the watch.

i am having a similar issue and I've been in contact with apple about It. I've also seen a doctor and as soon as i mentioned tingling and pain in the fingers, wrist and moving up to my elbow , he said it's the ulnar nerve being irritated. Quite common apparently. He didn't know why the apple watch was causing this but it might just be down to the design eg sensor bulge and how it sits on my wrist. I've worn other smart watches which are more traditional in shape and not had the issue. Ive tried different bands, different tightness on the various bands and nothing has made a difference. I'd like to try the smaller and lighter 38mm watch to see if that helps.

Also if if you are concerned re emf try wearing the watch powered off and if you still get the issuse its most likely how the watch is sitting on your wrist.

I have the 38mm stainless with two bands, modern leather and milanese loop. I switch the bands out several times a week. The top of my arm feels irritated or aggravated even though there are no visible signs. The location of the discomfort seems to be where the sensors touch my arm. I think I am going to try your suggestion wearing with it turned off after the irritation goes away. I hope that doesn't take too long. I have had the watch since late May and wear it at most about 10 hours a day. Less recently because of the discomfort.

I bought a 42mm Sport with the default band on September 21. Within a couple weeks, I was experiencing numbness in my left thumb, thumb/palm pad and to some extent my left forefinger. (I wore the watch on my left wrist.)

It's November 20, I haven't worn it in over a week, and my thumb and thumb/palm pad are still exhibiting numbness and a sensation of stiffness.

Since the effect isn't felt where the watch sits, it obviously isn't a reaction to the material. I'd really like it to stop.

There's definitely something going on. I seriously doubt it's an RF issue; more likely it put pressure on the median nerve (the nerve involved in carpal tunnel problems).

I just got my apple watch last month and feel the tingling and numbness in my left palms and went up to my arms, more likely my metacarpal bones hurts. So i don't know what's in this apple watch, might be the magnetic battery or something else. This needs to be follow up right away. Now i only use my watch when i exercise, too bad this is a gorgeous watch and i love it.. :-(

You are something, i don't know if your mad about this issue or no clue at all. You have not think of anything right now maybe because you didn't feel anything. You have to put your shoes into somebody else's.. One or two maybe 100 people out there feel the same way. If you have not had any issues with your watch then lucky you. Just hear and post something nice in here, i think everybody is aware about going to the doctor but you should know the discussion that it did not start until they wear the watch. Act professionally pls..thank you

kaden081509 wrote:

You are something, i don't know if your mad about this issue or no clue at all. You have not think of anything right now maybe because you didn't feel anything. You have to put your shoes into somebody else's.. One or two maybe 100 people out there feel the same way. If you have not had any issues with your watch then lucky you. Just hear and post something nice in here, i think everybody is aware about going to the doctor but you should know the discussion that it did not start until they wear the watch. Act professionally pls..thank you

I am neither angry (Or were you using "mad" in its correct sense? No, I'm not insane, either.) nor clueless. In fact, I was agreeing with you that you should follow up on this issue. I'm not sure what has got your knickers in a twist. I don't recall saying that the watch is not the possible cause of your health issue. At least one doctor has postulated that the problem is the convex back of the watch pressing on a nerve. However, no one at Apple is going to exam your arm and figure out what the problem is. That's why you go to a doctor.

And I'm not sure what you mean by "act professionally". I am not a professional forum poster. Purely amateur. 😉

I had this happen to me a few times. I've noticed it's when I am wearing a long-sleeve shirt with cuffs that push the watch down towards my wrist and I would get a numb feeling either in my hand or up my arm. I have worn many watches throughout my life (I'm 51) and have never experienced anything like it. (And in case anyone is wondering, the cuffs are not tight and cutting off circulation; I can fit four fingers under them)

I have a theory: the off-centre crown is pushing against a vein or nerve.

In all my other watches the crown is in a different position and doesn't press against a vein or nerve. With the Apple Watch the crown is quite large and in an unusual position.

This would explain to me why many people who wear other types of watches are experiencing numbness only with the Apple Watch. It would also explain why wearing it higher up the wrist mitigates or removes the issue.

Atittudes like yours make for poor science. One cannot prove that something does not exist, only that one has not found it yet. Also, as a scientist, one would have to take into account the experience of people (data) and not discount it because it doesnt fit one's narrow little world model.