Apple Watch causing wrist/hand numbness and tingling

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.

I Just got the Apple Watch and after about an hour on my left hand I started getting twitches. I typically put it on my right hand with no problem but was told if you're right handed out on left and my fingers began twitching. I actually have been to a doctor before about this -- this is not the first time my fingers have twitched and I have had numbness. The doctor could night find anything wrong with me and advised me to take aspirin on days I have nerve issues. This tells me that I am just prone to these type of issues. My left hand is weaker than my right hand and I experience it more on the left. You're not crazy and definitely something about the watch is interacting with your tendency for weak nerves. I have ADHD and this watch was going to be my god send 😟 I am wondering if I can get some material like felt or something and cover the back of the watch, will it protect me from its effects. Or I wonder if anyone makes Apple Watch "covers" (like a cellphone case but for the watch). I will let you know how it goes. Just wanted to let you know you are not the only one. I suspect in a few years after some complaints and maybe some hyperbolic accusations, Apple will address this issue. As far as I know, this issue isn't life threatening... But I am still in my 20s. I do worry about how having an issue that doctors don't understand will effect me in my years to come. But until science can give answers, I am taking matters into my own hands. Don't listen to people telling you you're wrong... It's obvious -- you have issues when you eear the watch and he issues go away when you don't wear it. Do what you need to take care of yourself 🙂

I am experiencing the same numbing pain as a result of wearing the iwatch. The pain returns once I put it on after taking a day break from it. I've had this watch for three weeks now and can not return it. Can I return it to apple?

Khang016 wrote:

I am experiencing the same numbing pain as a result of wearing the iwatch. The pain returns once I put it on after taking a day break from it. I've had this watch for three weeks now and can not return it. Can I return it to apple?

If you purchased if from Apple within the last 14 days, you can return it. If you purchased it from some other retailer, contact them to find out their return policy.

There are several issues here with which I have, regrettably, had personal experience.

1) First and foremost: See a doctor! My beloved husband of 20 years was, to all appearances, incredibly healthy, slim, active - a runner and race-walker - with no signs of physical distress, normal blood pressure, ate right, didn't smoke or drink, etc., told all his life by doctors that he had the "heart of a 20-year old," even at age 55. Until one day he dropped dead on his way to work. I suggest that one should never assume oneself to be in perfect health if there are any symptoms which resemble in any way the symptoms of a heart attack.

2) Carpal tunnel and allergies: I have dealt with carpal tunnel in both wrists for years, and my early symptoms sounded very much like what you're describing (no I'm not a doctor and am not diagnosing, just sharing my own experience). In addition to the numbness and tingling you describe, I also had shoulder pain. I thought my doctor was nuts when he suggested that the shoulder pain could be caused by my wrists! Since that first diagnosis I've become aware of how much carpal tunnel can cause all kinds of weird hand, wrist and arm discomfort. I wear wrist braces when I sleep, and they've been an enormous help in reducing the symptoms, along with doing daily hand and wrist-strengthening, stretching and flexibility exercises.

I am also very careful to not wear my new Series 2 Sport too tight, and in the four weeks I've had it I've tried 4 different types of bands from third-party sellers in the quest for optimal comfort. The sensors on the underside of the watch don't need a tight fit to work. And since I also have allergy issues, the band material makes a huge difference. The Apple-brand Sport band isn't too irritating most of the time, but even when I wear it relatively loosely, the restricted air circulation can cause some itching, due to condensation that collects between the band and my skin (even though I've left on the factory plastic strip that covers the connector, to protect against nickel allergy). Alas, none of the commercially made bands are optimal for my needs, and so I've made my own band, using connectors that are readily available online, and using ultrasuede for one band, and heavy silk ribbon for the second, with Velcro for the closures.

I hope these observations are helpful to you. I love my Watch and even though I've only had it for four weeks, I can't imagine having to abandon it. Good luck!

What scientific or medical tests did you conduct to show that? Are you will to post the results here. Have you specifically seen your doctor and discussed the problem you are having with the Watch? Have you been allergy tested, specifically for nickel?

I wasn't having problems until the original pieced of plastic that covers the metal pin on the Sport band finally came off. I didn't think any more about until my wrist developed a persistent, annoying itch. Painting the skin side of the pin with clear nail polish fixed it!

As to the numbness and tingling others have felt, I'm wondering if some of this might be a cervical spine thing? I notice that I crane my neck just a bit differently and longer (and more frequently) than would be normal for a regular watch. That can put a cumulative strain on the neck and shoulder muscles, which can then result in pain in the shoulder, arm and wrist. I'd be interested in knowing what others think about that possibility.

tasa wrote:

I wasn't having problems until the original pieced of plastic that covers the metal pin on the Sport band finally came off. I didn't think any more about until my wrist developed a persistent, annoying itch. Painting the skin side of the pin with clear nail polish fixed it!

Some people are extremely sensitive to nickel. Glad you figured out how to resolve it!

As to the numbness and tingling others have felt, I'm wondering if some of this might be a cervical spine thing? I notice that I crane my neck just a bit differently and longer (and more frequently) than would be normal for a regular watch. That can put a cumulative strain on the neck and shoulder muscles, which can then result in pain in the shoulder, arm and wrist. I'd be interested in knowing what others think about that possibility.

It's a very reasonable theory. However, unless the people giving opinions are doctors (or who have been so diagnosed by their doctors), it would be pure speculation. If people are having severe pain, they need to see a doctor.

Best of luck.