Iwatch sport band caused bad burn

Question

Level 1

5 points

Iwatch sport band caused bad burn

My wife and I both have a stainless iwatch.

My wife's has a millinaise loop strap and four sport stamps in varying colours.

She has owned and worn the watch for 6 months with no issues, exercising with the sports strap and swapping the metal strap for work.

Recently she noticed a small rash on her wrist, she didn't think about the cause from the watch as shed work it for months without any problems.

The next day her wrist came out in a very severe burn/rash that is deep red raised and has even come out in blisters.

She swapped the watch to the other wrist to see if that was the case and it came out in the same rash so she quicky removed it.

After a whole week of not wearing the strap her wrist is still very red and sore.

My wife does have a nickel allergy, but she does notice when she's getting an allergy to something and can get a few itchy spots, but on removal they don't burn and blister.

She has no idea what to do now, she has four sport straps and a millinaise loop strap. Does she now need to purchase a £130 leather strap? Will the buckle be just as bad on his strap?

This is not good!!!!!!

Posted on Mar 27, 2016 5:57 AM

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Answer 1

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Mar 27, 2016 6:44 AM in response to Ruby2Ruby2

Ruby2Ruby2 wrote:

My wife .. has no issues with the stainless steel back of the iwatch case, it is the rubber strap that has caused this issue.

We are now not sure what to do

If the site of the skin reaction coincides with the location of the backs of the pins on her Sport Bands, you wife may wish to ask her doctor whether either of the following may be worth trying:

Wearing her watch with the Black Sport Band with Space Black Pin, which has a coating over the stainless steel:
http://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MJ4F2/38mm-black-sport-band-with-space-blac k-stainless-steel-pin
Covering the back of the pins on her existing bands (users elsewhere have suggested, for example, using one or more coats of clear nail varnish).

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Answer 2

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Mar 27, 2016 6:11 AM in response to Ruby2Ruby2

Hi

If you experience redness, swelling, itchiness or any other irritation or discomfort on your skin around or beneath your watch, Apple recommends that you remove your watch and also 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 and/or wearing the band too tightly or too loosely (eg causing rubbing).

Irritants can make skin reactions more likely if found between the watch and/or band and your skin. Keeping your watch, band and skin clean and dry can maximise comfort and prevent long-term damage to the watch. It is especially important to do this after workouts or exposure to liquids that can cause skin irritation.

Apple also advises that the watch should be removed and turned off if it experiences above-normal temperatures or becomes uncomfortably warm.

Sustained contact with warm surfaces for long periods of time may cause discomfort or injury. Special care should be taken if you have a physical condition that affects your ability to detect heat against your body.

In addition to consulting a physician, in case of a defect with your wife's watch and/or band(s), you may wish to contact Apple Support (mail-in service may be available) or make a Genius Bar reservation with a view to having them checked under warranty:

https://www.apple.com/support/watch/contact/

More information:

- https://help.apple.com/watch/#/apdcf2ff54e9

- Keep Apple Watch within acceptable operating temperatures - Apple Support

- Wearing Apple Watch - Apple Support

- Cleaning and wearing Apple Watch - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Mar 27, 2016 6:33 AM in response to Ruby2Ruby2

Ruby2Ruby2 wrote:

Hi thanks for the quick reply.

You're welcome! 🙂

Ruby2Ruby2 wrote:

I would suggest that Apple have some sort of recompense to customers who are getting these issues and that Apple be responsible for the goodwill to customers for a leather strap or be quick sharp in manufacturing a cloth Nato style strap.

If you would like to send feedback to Apple, you can do so by submitting the form on the following page (this is a user-based technical support community - you are not talking to Apple here):

https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html

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Answer 4

Ruby2Ruby2 Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 27, 2016 6:16 AM in response to Jonathan UK

Hi thanks for the quick reply.

MMmmmmm yes my wife's found exactly the same answer as you've given.

The funny thing is that although my wife does have a mild nickel allergy, she can wear numerous other watches that she owns with both plastic straps and stainless steel backs to the watches or buckles with no problems.

My wife only gets a small reaction from cheap metals. She has no issues with the stainless steel back of the iwatch case, it is the rubber strap that has caused this issue.

We are now not sure what to do, paying £1000 for a watch she can't wear. Paying £160 of sports straps that she dare not touch either. So does she now gamble on buying the leather strap at £130?

We do love Apple so much and have 2 iPads, 2 iPhone 6+ and now two iwatch, so have spent a few pennies to Apple, but this has really dampened the brand in my opinion. :-(

I would suggest that Apple have some sort of recompense to customers who are getting these issues and that Apple be responsible for the goodwill to customers for a leather strap or be quick sharp in manufacturing a cloth Nato style strap.

We will of course be keeping an eye out on how this issue devellops and be keeping our pictures of the burn/rash just in case.

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Answer 5

Ruby2Ruby2 Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 27, 2016 6:49 AM in response to Jonathan UK

Cheers

Yes, I'm afraid she's tried the covering of the pin. The rash is all the way around her wrist and only stops near the case back. So it's obviously the strap and not just the metal pin. That's why we don't think it is a nickel allergy but something to do with the material or chemicals that the rubber band is made from.

But I'm sure we'll see in time as I doubt that my wife is the only person who has suffered with this issue.

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