Apple Watch causing wrist/hand numbness and tingling

I'm having the same problem too, and I'm desperately trying to find a solution! I've tried a leather band, a silicone bumper on the face with little relief. I can fit 2 fingers under my band. If anyone has any suggestions, please pass them along. I love this watch, and I'm willing to try anything!

It's a little ignorant of you to say it's not the watch. I am actually having the same issues and after wearing it on the opposite wrist the same problems arise. After not wearing the watch at all for some time the symptoms are gone. So in my case I'd say it was in fact the watch, or it's pretty freaking ironic that after not wearing it they are just completely gone!

Of course it isn't hence the word essentially. I was having the same similar symptoms as carpal tunnel syndrome, which I've never had before, after not wearing the watch I noticed the symptoms were just gone, after wearing the watch for a few days it is back. Nothing shows for sure it is the watch or that it isn't, all I know is it's completely gone when not wearing it and back when I do. I was told maybe the vibrations/pulses is a nerve issue for some or even a magnetism issue. I personally believe it's the watch, new symptoms show up after wearing it, yet gone when I don't, definitely not normal at all for me and I doubt CT is coming and going as I wear/not wear my watch, especially on my non dominant hand.

Not sure what the absurd alien reference is for I am just strictly stating that you can't for sure say that it is absolutely not the watch, I am not saying it absolutely is either. In my case it seems to be, others could have the same issue whether it's medical or the watch either way it is something people definitely shouldn't ignore and dismiss and I would hope Apple is taking the claims seriously and trying to figure out if it is or isn't and rule out any concerns for those that are experiencing these issues.

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).

Hi

If you experience redness, swelling, itchiness or any other irritation or discomfort on your skin around or beneath your Apple Watch or band, then Apple recommends that you remove your Apple Watch and consult a doctor / physician before wearing it again.

Skin reactions can be a result of various causes including:

• Allergies (eg to nickel).
• Extended exposure to irritants (eg soap or sweat).
• Environmental factors.
• Wearing the band too tightly or too loosely.

More information, including tips from Apple:

• Cleaning your Apple Watch - Apple Support
  

  Includes "Tips to avoid skin irritation, or if you have allergies or skin sensitivities".

• Wearing your Apple Watch - Apple Support
• See under "Skin Sensitivities":

  Important safety information

If you are concerned that your Apple Watch may have experienced above normal operating temperatures, then follow the instructions here:

Keep Apple Watch within acceptable operating temperatures - Apple Support

If you are concerned about a potential hardware defect, then contact Apple Support (remote diagnostics and/or mail-in service may be available, if required), make a Genius Bar reservation or visit an Apple Authorised Service Provider for assistance:

• US: Apple Watch Service Answer Center - Apple Support
• Elsewhere: Select your country for Apple Watch service and repair information

All models of Apple Watch emit radio frequency (RF) energy. Apple advises that, in order to ensure that RF exposure levels remain at or below the levels reported from testing:

• When holding Apple Watch (any model) near your face, you should keep at least 10mm of separation between the watch and your face.
• When wearing Apple Watch (any model) on your wrist, no separation is required.

Information about Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limits and the highest SAR values for all models of Apple Watch under specified test conditions (including when worn on the wrist) are available via Apple's website, which also details test results for other products including iPhone:

Legal - RF Exposure - Apple

Well it was explained to me about funding for science many years ago by a guy who’s dead now who worked in Cambridge doing test on Animals, lets just say I was shocked.

He then mentioned to always look at who funding each project as this will pretty much determine the direction of the outcome as your basically not going to screw over your funding as you will want them to come back for any future investment.

So the first thing before reading any kind of report is to always look at who’s funding it and why the tests are being done.

Wearing your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Show this article to your allergist. If you have a severe allergy to nickel you shouldn't be wearing the Watch. You also should not be wearing your strap that loose (see the article). You are not reacting to WiFi signals, Bluetooth signals, and, if you has a Series 2, GPS signals. The magnets are emanating waves to you and the battery isn't doing something unless it is defective and overheated and burned you.

And I have lots of allergies and keep up with the latest research on them. Fortunately nickel isn't one of them since I like wearing watches and I'm sorry to hear you have such a problem.

So if you hit yourself on the left foot with a hammer and it hurts... your test it to hit yourself on the other foot with the hammer as well. If that also hurts, then the problem just be the hammer...

Go see a doctor. The problem is not the watch. It may be the way you're wearing it. It may be an allergic reaction to the materials in the watch or the band. It may be completely psychosomatic. The watch, however, does not have something "wrong with it".

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.

I am having some of the same issues. However, it is not the first time that I have felt this and I was worried about spending that much money on a watch when I kind of expected the pain to come back because of it. I experienced this first with a Fitbit and then again with a cheap watch with the timer and alarm (digital) and now with my new Apple Watch.

When I experienced it with my Fitbit, I went and saw several doctors to try to figure out what was causing the pains. I even went to a neurologist and he sent me for an MRI. No one, not even one of those many doctors figured out that it was my Fitbit. I didn't either until I started to limit everything that I wore. Once I stopped wearing my Fitbit, the pain went away after a few days.

Now, the pain is back and I will be sadly attempting to return or sell my new watch.

No, it isn't and no your test doesn't prove anything since it is a sample of one. It you are wearing your Watch too tight or in a place that presses on a nerve on both wrists then it will hurt on both wrists. When you stop it will stop hurting. Write back after you go to a real doctor and ask them for a diagnosis.

Yes it is. To say nothing is wrong with the watch at all? It's essentially a mini computer on your wrist! Could have something to do with the band being too tight or not at all. I tried it all and still had the same issues. Nobody really knows what the problem is. I don't wear my watch to tight and for me specifically it goes away after I don't wear it at all. I've also never had these issues before wearing the watch at all. I've seen the same with others. Why would I go to the doctor when not wearing it completely removed the problem, not everything is going to be related to a medical issue. Btw I did ask my doctor and no medical reasons were an issue, people are just so quick to say it's not they device when clearly something about it is effecting some but not others.

Did you ask your doctor if it was something from the Watch that was causing you to have a medical issue? And what is it that you think is causing it? Radiation? Electricity? Magnetism?

And no it is not a mini computer. There are also people who post that aliens are watching and brainwashing them. I don't believe those posts either.