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Level 1

20 points

Apple Watch causing wrist/hand numbness and tingling

There is something extremely wrong with the Apple Watch. I really like all my Apple products (iPhones (3), iPads (2), iPods (2), iMac, and Mac Book) and even the Apple Watch but there is something seriously wrong with the Apple Watch. I wore the Apple Watch for 2 days and then began getting a slightly numb and tingling sensation in my left wrist from where the watch was down to my fingertips. On day 3, the feeling continued to grow stronger and felt like the numbness/tingling were going up my arm to my elbow. It even felt like the watch was tapping me when there were no messages. That was the last day I wore it. After I stopped wearing the watch, I still could feel the numbness/tingling in my wrist, hand, and still feel like there is a tapping sensation on my wrist. I have not worn the watch for 4 days now and continue to feel the same sensations. Cold temperatures seem to increase the sensations. I continue to occasionally feel like I’m wearing the watch on my wrist. Unfortunately, I will be returning my Apple Watch

The watch was not tight on my wrist. It was able to slide around when I would move my wrist and hand. I am in good health and have no other medical problems.

Is anyone else having this problem?

Apple Watch

Posted on Jun 15, 2015 10:31 AM

Best reply

Hänsel

Level 1

29 points

Posted on Oct 17, 2017 3:17 PM

I bought the Series 3 (Nike+) Watch a few days ago and felt tingling and light numbness in my fingers from the moment I put it on my wrist. I have shoved it around, made its band looser and tighter, and nothing changed. I thought it would go away after wearing it a while, believing it had something to do with static electricity, but it did not. I have never worn it at night and it has not been in contact with water. After a night, the feeling had become slightly less annoying, but was still there. Even as I am typing this, I can still feel numbness in my lower left arm. At its worst, there was a sensation of stiffness in my entire left arm, up to my neck.

What scared me the most was when I could clearly feel the tingling (a feeling as if some electric current was going through my skin) get worse when a notification arrived and the Watch became more active, other than the usual taptic feedback of course.

I always wore a classic watch, every single day, and continuously switched between three different models, and I have never felt any kind of discomfort or feeling as if a small electric current was passing through. There is no skin irritation indicating a nickel allergy and I clearly experienced a connection between the computational activity of the Watch and the numbing feeling in my arm. I also kept my arm and watch spick and span while wearing it.

As such, there is no doubt: the cause is the Watch and probably a combination of its electronic activity and wireless signals, constantly happening while in direct contact with my skin. As I have seen enough examples of other people experiencing the same discomfort on the Apple forums and elsewhere, it seems to me that 1) either there is a certain number of Watches, all with a similar issue which causes some kind of 'leaking' of too much harmful electromagnetic radiation or simply electric current of some kind or 2) I just happen to be one of a fair number of people who are highly sensitive to electronic activity this close to their skin.

Whatever the exact cause, Apple should recognise our concerns and thoroughly investigate them, as well as to warn users of this kind of harm, in addition to their existing warning about nickel (and other materials that may cause allergic reactions).

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80 replies

deggie

Level 10

167,219 points

Dec 29, 2017 11:06 AM in response to Lwales

No, none of them claimed to know everything about everything. But they do have a varied backgrounds in science and have read up on this subject. And they also know to recommend people to see their doctor if they are have medical issues.

Jan 25, 2018 11:36 AM in response to Brunoshome

My hand has been hurting so bad and freezing like I have stuck it in a bag of ice for way to long. It hurts all the way up to my elbow. My left hand stays numb. I had no clue today what it was until I started searching because I was going to go to the doctor. I am sad because I love this watch.

Feb 3, 2018 3:38 PM in response to newtron36

Well, it has taken awhile for me to put the pieces together. I only have a AW 1 but have struggled with wrist, elbow and shoulder pain, tingling and numbness for about a year. I see a chiropractor regularly and all seems fine. I am seeing another doctor to verify if there are any thyroid and vitamin issues. I was like a light bulb went off to day when I was at a funeral. My arm, wrist were in pain. I had just recharged my watch too. As soon as I got home I jumped on the internet to see if anyone else is in this boat. Obviously, I am not alone. I am taking a break from the watch to see if things improve. If it is the watch, I hope I have not caused too much damage that can't repair itself. I see my doctor in a couple weeks and will see what his thoughts are.

KiltedTim

Level 10

196,510 points

Jun 15, 2015 10:32 AM in response to Brunoshome

Return the watch for a refund and see your doctor. It is not a problem with the watch.

Brunoshome Author

Level 1

20 points

Jun 15, 2015 10:39 AM in response to Brunoshome

I tried the watch on my right wrist too. I started to feel the same thing. I don't need to see a doctor.

Jun 15, 2015 10:53 AM in response to KiltedTim

I was going to suggest the same thing KiltedTim suggests -- check to see if you're having an allergic reaction. The main Apple Watch support page lists the materials used in each of the Apple Watches, including Sport and Edition, as well as the bands. It's reasonably possible you're having an allergic reaction to one of the materials. I've heard of folks having allergic reactions to nickel, for example. Rare? Yes. Impossible? No.

If not the watch, it could be the band. If you moved the watch to the other wrist and experienced the same symptoms, that screams allergic reaction. I would visit your primary care doctor or a dermatologist. I'm not a doctor, so don't take this as a diagnosis. See your doctor, and get his or her official word.

nick101

Level 5

5,138 points

Jun 15, 2015 10:59 AM in response to Brunoshome

With all respect, you would be foolish not to see a doctor. It's clear that you're having a reaction to some element of the watch - you would be wise to find out what.

Jun 16, 2015 6:56 PM in response to Brunoshome

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.

Brunoshome Author

Level 1

20 points

Jun 17, 2015 8:15 PM in response to ChristyYoga

My slight wrist numbness and slight tingling feeling stopped after 4 or 5 days of not wearing the Apple Watch. So, no I didn't need to see a doctor. I work out 3 to 4 days a week and ride 60 to 80 miles a week so I'm in pretty good shape. I just wanted to let people know to be careful wearing them.

Ralph9430

Level 7

21,762 points

Jun 29, 2015 1:30 PM in response to Brunoshome

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.

Parber

Level 1

4 points

Jul 13, 2015 1:11 PM in response to Brunoshome

Some people are sensitive to radiation. It's called electromagnetic sensitivity. If you are sensitive, then the doctor will only say -- so don't wear the watch.

KiltedTim

Level 10

196,510 points

Jul 13, 2015 1:15 PM in response to Parber

Um... no. That is pure unadulterated bull. Junk science. There is no such thing as "electromagnetic sensitivity". No doctor on the planet who isn't a complete quack will claim otherwise.

G3gator

Level 3

590 points

Jul 13, 2015 1:37 PM in response to KiltedTim

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