Apple Watch causing wrist pain

It’s not just me! I got my watch 9 days ago for Christmas from my husband and I started having the pain almost immediately. It does not appear to be dermatological. The pain feels neuropathic (numbness, tingling, electrical) with the two main focal points for me being the wrist and elbow. The pain persists regardless of how the watch is worn and resolves when the watch is removed for several hours to a day.

Objectively, I do not know how the watch is causing this reaction but for me the location and temporal nature of the pain in association with use of the watch and resolution when the watch is removed, along with the fact that I have no previous history of arm pain (neuropathic or otherwise) and no other concomitant disease states that would likely cause neuropathic pain, leads me to be fairly confident in my conclusion that the watch is causing the pain.

As tempted as I am to try to stick it out, the pain is only getting worse and nerve pain can always be an indication of nerve damage. I’m so disappointed but my next step will be to look into how to return the watch. I do not suggest anyone ignore or try to preserve through this pain. Pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.

Hey Mlewin. Have you found a solution to this? I just returned my apple watch series 3 I purchased last week because of the same feeling in my wrist/arm. The employee at Apple who handled my return said he's never heard of this, but there are tons of people complaining about it online. I love the watch, but can't stand the feeling it gives me.

I am in so much pain now I cannot work on my computer. Have not worn my watch for two days. This happens repeatedly. I am wearing it well above the wrist bone as recommended and it still happens. I also have “ghost vibrations “ when not wearing it.

I, too, am having wrist pain issues when wearing my new Apple Watch 3 (38mm with a Sport Band). My watch doesn't have the GPS feature and I use it primarily as a watch (read: I'm not using apps frequently). I've relatively sensitive skin, but the skin under the watch itself is fine. The pain is primarily on the inside (palm side) of the wrist. I had surgery to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (in both wrists) more than 10 yrs. ago, so I've been wondering if the pain was because the watch band was fastened too tight (compressing the nerve(s) in my wrist). Loosening the band may help somewhat, but doesn't eliminate the problem. I was wondering if the width of the watch and/or band is part of the problem. But then I checked these forums and realized that I'm clearly not the only person who's experiencing wrist pain (that radiates into the palm and up towards the elbow).

To help figure out what's going on, I encourage folks who continue this thread to clarify:

1. type of watch band worn (and whether changing it had an impact on symptoms)?;
2. prior history of wrist pain/joint problems?;
3. location of wrist pain (palm side?);
4. series of Apple Watch (1, 2 or 3)--did you experience pain with one series but not another? Which one?
5. watch + or - GPS?

I'm not going to wade into the whole WiFi "allergy" notion. Honestly, even if it's "a thing", I'm hard-pressed to understand why it'd cause joint pain--especially on the side of the joint opposite where the "radiation" would be emitted. (I.e., at least with me, the pain is predominantly on the inside of the wrist--on the other side from where the watch itself is strapped.)

I have a series 1 and have had it for little over a year. I wear it all the time, sometimes in the shower. Lately noticed a stiffness in wrist and I can pop my wrist if I move it in a circular fashion.

When I take the watch off at night, I am fine. Then about afternoon, my wrist starts killing me. I take the watch off and it my wrist is okay. Been hurting for a few weeks and just made the correlation (thought is was old age).

So I am going to do a little test and turn off the haptics and see what happens.

A family member is a doctor. 26 years strong. Has no idea what could be causing it. I'm very athletic and workout 6 days/week. Never have had a wrist injury or problem. I tried wearing the watch on the other wrist with the same results. I also had to unpair/pair the watch due to a text notification issue and I kept the watch on my wrist while this was going on. The feeling increased and felt like it was burning while it was unpairing/pairing. A doctor is not going to have a solution unless they understand how the watch was built and works. I've owned at least 30 watches up to this point of my life and have never had an issue. Tons of people are complaining about the exact same thing and until I experienced it, I never knew such a complaint existed. There is definitely some relation between the watch and the pain.

Do you know why I am here? How I made it to this forum? Because I purchased the Apple Watch 3 + LTE about 6 weeks ago and have had no issues and it has been a beautiful device sent from heaven to make me more aware if my health.

But then a few days ago I started noticing a peristant authritis type pain coming from my wrist. I thought it might be from fatigue from using the computer so I ceased using the computer. The pain still peristed and was very annoying. So I took the watch off for the past 2 days and now the pain is gone.

So I was very curious as to whether this watch causes pain and if anyone else has experienced this.

As people have reported here, it has NOTHING to do with how the watch is worn, mine was not loose and not tight but perfect on my wrist.

I have done some additional research showing that wifi waves ar harmful and tests growing plants near wifi devices shows a real problem. After a girl did this for a science project a university took over the study.

I wonder whether the LTE or wireless being constantly on the weist is having a similar effect of some kind.

I am going to use common sense and sell the watch or get a refund and thats that.

Hi

If you experience redness, swelling, itchiness or any other irritation or discomfort on your skin around or beneath your 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 and wearing 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

Got several different new Apple Watch 3's (42, 38, different bands, all cellular) and within 5 minutes wearing time I feel a similar uncomfortable/odd sensation in my wrist. It is a little bit warm as well but that could be due to the band material.

And for the usual questions or assumptions I've seen posted...

• No, not wearing it too tight - can fit fingers in between wrist and band
• Tried on other wrist and feel the same sensation, but takes a bit longer to be noticed
• I am not overturning my wrist when I get notifications and thus overusing muscles - I just got put it on a few minutes ago and I've tried not turning my wrist at all for some time and still get the sensation.
• I'm a regular watch wearer for 30+ years
• Average build and average size wrists. Nothing out of the ordinary physically...mentally is another story 🙂

Something coincidental maybe, but when I rest my Macbook on my lap for a period of time or use it on an airplane, I get an odd/uncomfortable sensation in my lower stomach area. Am I the only one who feels this? I think it is a similar odd/sensation on my wrist.

Maybe I'm just not meant to have Apple products touching me. Really like the Watch though...guess it is going back. 😟

I just got my Apple Watch a week ago. And where the glass bubble sits on my wrist is where I get pain. I never had pain there until Apple Watch. I have always worn a watch before. And never had pain from any watch before. I have no skin rash. No redness. Just pain. I’m not wearing the watch too right as I can move the watch, but it’s nit too loose. And the pain is only where the glass bubble sits. I see I’m not the only person complaining. So this isn’t just an issue for a doctor. This is an issue Apple needs to have some concerns on! When people are spending hundreds of dollars on a watch, it shouldn’t be giving us a medi problem that we have to spend more money going to a doctor! I say maybe some lawyers need contacted.

Hello,

I have owned my watch for over a month now and am not having any of the problems in this thread. As with all products, i.e., cosmetics, clothing, shoes (some costing well over $400), if they are causing discomfort in any way I would discontinue use and see about a refund. A trip to the doctor never hurts. I went in because of aforementioned shoes causing discomfort in my toes. It turns out I have arthritis and cannot wear certain shoes. Perhaps the watch is pressing on a nerve or magnifying an underlying medical issue.

I wish you good luck and hope you are able to solve this problem.

JerryEMIS wrote:

. . I wear it all the time, sometimes in the shower. ..

Note that:

• Apple specifically advises against exposing Apple Watch to soap or soapy water - such as when showering or bathing - or to high velocity water.
• Apple advises against subjecting Apple Watch to dramatic changes in temperature and/or humidity.
• Apple Watch should be kept within the recommended ambient temperature ranges.

More information:

About Apple Watch water resistance - Apple Support

Important handling information

Keep Apple Watch within acceptable operating temperatures - Apple Support

Hi

This problem with Apple Watches is happening all over the Globe, I am in Australia and I worn the series 3 for a total of fifteen hours and received a skin burn underneath the watch, reported this to Apple both email and phone, they didn’t want to know about the situation.

Returned to store for a full refun, never to purchase another.

I find this situation dreadful apple is still selling this dangerous watch and not telling of the problems customers are experiencin, its about time they are held responsible.

Look at google for the amount of customers affected.

Hope me this helps and is a warning to all.

David.

Sorry, bud! It's not possible to prove that "no one" in the world is sensitive to WiFi or LTE. I know for a fact that I am and others are too. I don't need any scientist to tell me what's causing me pain. I have been in the IT industry for over 20 years and I use all Apple products. I have an iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Pro. I am sensitive when all three devices are on WiFi. So, I relocated my router to another room and wired Cat6 to my MBP. The issue is not "Apple" related. I have to admit, I experience fewer issues with Apple gadgets than gadgets made by other companies like Samsung. I use to carry two cell phones on my belt on my right hip for years until a cyst grew there that I had removed. Now I keep them away from me as much as possible. Like not keeping the phone in my pocket all day and using earbuds for calls. Also, not sleeping with the phone next to my head! I don't expect for people that do not have any issues to understand, but those that do have issues understanding. For those that experience pain and discomfort from any device, listen to your own body!

Hi

If you experience discomfort on your skin around or beneath your watch, Apple recommends that you remove your watch and consult a doctor / physician before wearing it again.

More information:

Wearing Apple Watch - Apple Support

Cleaning and wearing Apple Watch - Apple Support