42 mm Apple Watch causing rash – should I size up to 46 mm

[Alexrat1996]

How tight are you wearing it? General rule of thumb is that you should be able to comfortably fit one finger between the band and wrist. Are you able to do that?

I have there holes left and a finger underneath

Yes

 

[SuzyM70]

Nickel allergy maybe? I have that, so metal-backed watches are unwearable for me.

 

[uacd]

most cases is contact dermatitis, often dirt, not cleaning/washing

But that cannot be good… Washing hands is one thing, keeping watches clean all the time is another, people rarely clean their iPhones not even talking about watches🤣 There was even that study where it was said that smartphone carries more bacteria than toilet seat, I believe AW is in the same league… Isopropyl will strip oleophobic coating in no time

 

[SusieS]

I get a rash randomly, a prickling sensation followed by hives right where the sensor hits, and I just have to take my watch off and treat it with some Rx Desonide or OTC pramoxine cream until it goes away. I wear my bands on the loose side, keep my wrist free of sweat and oil, and clean the sensor every day, sometimes several times a day, and STILL get the rash from time to time. Other times I can wear my watch for days and nights without any problems. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I have thought maybe it was a reaction to the aluminum backing of the 11, and maybe I’d do better with the nylon backing of the SE, but really the rash is only under the sensor. My best guess is a reaction to heat buildup.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I agree that size isn't going to make a difference. For me, especially in the summer time, as a big guy (hence the name) I sweat a lot. I have to clean the sensor at least every other day or I get irritation. During winter - once a week or more.

Wearing the watch loose makes it so I have no problems - as mentioned - seeing if you can put a finger between the band and your wrist easily is a good measure.

 

[smirking]

Interesting. I got a rash from the silicone band and had to stop using those.

Yeah silicone bands get me too... on all watches. I just sweat too much for them. I only wear silicone bands when my fabric ones are drying out.

 

[jz0309]

But that cannot be good… Washing hands is one thing, keeping watches clean all the time is another, people rarely clean their iPhones not even talking about watches🤣 There was even that study where it was said that smartphone carries more bacteria than toilet seat, I believe AW is in the same league… Isopropyl will strip oleophobic coating in no time

if that is what you want to discuss, please open another thread, it does not any good in helping OP

 

[Howard2k]

I tried series 5 recently and thought I will use it for my workouts because this thing is the only Apple Watch at home and no one is using it. In just 30 minutes of training I got my skin BURNING in the area of sensor. Stopped using that hell of a device, oof!

And Internet is actually full of people complaining about the issue. Some say it is due to sweat buildup, others say it is because of silicone bands or tight bands, and some even claim this is due to heat from battery, wifi and sensors.

I believe I’ve seen some photos on the web with people having skin burns after these watches. I dunno if it is 42mm, 40 or smth, but I am not interesting in owning any Apple Watch in my life at all after experiencing that myself.

Where health agencies are watching? Or are they busy receiving bribes? This is literal device that gives skin burns

Wifi and sensors causing burns.

People say lots of things. They say that vaccines have nanobots, and politicians have been replaced by lizard people, and we're about to be invaded by aliens, and JFK is still alive, and poison is being sprayed from planes.... There are lots of people saying lots of garbage on the Internet, but reality will go on all the same.

The health agencies are watching. They're just not watching the conspiracy shows quite as closely.

 

[Howard2k]

if that is what you want to discuss, please open another thread, it does not any good in helping OP

Agreed. Apple has an article here too:

How to clean your Apple Watch - Apple Support (CA)

Cleaning your Apple Watch keeps it working properly and can fix some common issues.

support.apple.com

 

[Allen_Wentz]

I have the 42 mm Apple Watch titanium and a 6–6.5 in wrist. I’m getting a rash in the center where the sensors sit. I’ve tried the Sport Band (S/M) and Milanese Loop, but both feel a bit too narrow on this smaller size.





I also tried the larger 44 mm Sport Loop band, which fit better since it’s wider and reduced pressure. The 42 mm case just feels tight in the middle, while my old 45 mm Series 7 felt wider and more balanced — I wore that for two years with no issues.





I’m used to bigger watches, but I sized down because of my smaller wrist and because my 42 mm Omega Swatch fits me so well. Now I’m wondering if I should just go back up to the 46 mm for long-term comfort or keep experimenting with bands.

Try finding a way to have your wrist be watch-free for a chunk of time every day (e.g. when sleeping). Rinse your wrist with plain water after you take the watch off.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Wifi and sensors causing burns.

People say lots of things. They say that vaccines have nanobots, and politicians have been replaced by lizard people, and we're about to be invaded by aliens, and JFK is still alive, and poison is being sprayed from planes.... There are lots of people saying lots of garbage on the Internet, but reality will go on all the same.

The health agencies are watching. They're just not watching the conspiracy shows quite as closely.

Please advise how we can arrange for "politicians have been replaced by lizard people."

Mods: this is intended as humor, not as some political post.

 

[NervousFish2]

oh stop with this conspiracy theory, been discussed here ad nauseam, there are no burns and it for sure is not a widespread issue. most cases is contact dermatitis, often dirt, not cleaning/washing ...

Oh come on. Maybe you should stop it. After all, what are your medical or scientific credentials to adjudicate this?

There are indeed burns. The question is why they are happening on newer watches. Or, more specifically, certain software updates and not others.

I have an Apple Watch Ultra II* and, with limited exception, it was fine up to the new update. I did get sensor burn at the beginning of the release cycle of last year's major update. But I suspect they figured out how to mitigate this with later updates. However, now it is back with a vengeance. And to be clear: the problem returned ONLY with the launch of the watchOS26. I suspect it is the blood pressure monitoring, but I might be wrong. I'd love to know if there are people with watches that are not capable of running the new blood pressure observation process who have experienced sensor burn.

This is not a hygiene or dermatitis issue. Also, this whole conspiracy trope is massively condescending. You don't have to believe in secret governments to be able to observe that your skin has become lightly burned.

* PS: this is my 4th apple watch. I have been using them since they came out. I have never had this issue on any of the older models.

 

[grammatica]

I have the largest size (Ultra) and I get an irritation where the sensors sit on my wrist. I was planning on sizing down because this hasn't happened before. Try a different band before changing the device.

 

[Alexrat1996]

I have the largest size (Ultra) and I get an irritation where the sensors sit on my wrist. I was planning on sizing down because this hasn't happened before. Try a different band before changing the device.

That’s my idea I did order me a different band from Amazon and then if that doesn’t work then I’m gonna size up. Maybe the sensor is too narrow and small. That’s why I feel the irritation.