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42 mm Apple Watch causing rash – should I size up to 46 mm
- Thread starter Alexrat1996
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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
if that is what you want to discuss, please open another thread, it does not any good in helping OP
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 They say that vaccines have nanobots, and politicians have been replaced by lizard people, and we're about to be invaded by aliens, and JFK is still alive, and poison is being sprayed from planes....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.
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.
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.
Please advise how we can arrange for "politicians have been replaced by lizard people."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.
Mods: this is intended as humor, not as some political post.
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.
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.
Do you clean your watch? Clean back with with soap/water every day and see if helps. I have to clean my watch/band everyday or I get a rash.
Well I attached real photo (one of many, more on reddit) of this issue. I myself decided not to recreate the issue but the burning sensation is definitely from the sensor… or from constant friction. Who knows, I am waiting for Apple fanboys to finally say “use lube” lol…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.
However I had not tried Samsung watches, who knows, maybe it is not just Apple.
OP outlined a real issue and it is not as fun as X-Files episode
More threads create clutter and unnecessary “spam” on forum. It is better to just make a broad discussion into single one, maybe one day it is gonna be picked by Google search and Apple finally sees that this is the issue for some.
Just saying: it took them 8 years to add PWM switch to iPhone OLED, because “minority” has eye strain issues (huge thread here on MR btw). The funniest thing? Switch doesn’t even work for many.
I myself didn’t bother finding workarounds for being able to use AW, I tried to find a single use for this device myself and failed - it is about as useful for me as old landline phone.
I believe a very loose band made from nylon should work fine for most people, but the issue is each time when watch sensor is not touching skin it will ask for password authentication, so it practically destroys the convenience of paying with this thing without entering data. Most people wearing “real” watches never wear them tight - I mean ones made from silver or gold, since metals are non-reactive and antibacterial.
Maybe if Apple cared enough and made plate from one of these, then maybe rashes/burning would disappear, who knows. Price would have gotten much higher but at least what a premium feel
I have exerienced rashes under the sensor. It always starts with a slight buring sensation. In the past I had let it go and it worsened.
Things that seem to create the condition; dirty sensor, soap residue on the arm or sensor, the type of soap. Not sure it will help your situation but I wish you luck
Things that seem to create the condition; dirty sensor, soap residue on the arm or sensor, the type of soap. Not sure it will help your situation but I wish you luck
I had a 40mm Series 5 with the Sport band and experienced similar irritation. The combination of the smaller profile and the tightness of the band, along with activity (sweat/grime) would cause redness/itching. Keeping the area clean, the watch/band clean, and not wearing it at night kept it somewhat under control. I now have a Series 10 46mm with the Milanese Loop and the larger profile, along with the looser band, cut down on the irritation.
I can’t even wear the loop on the 42 because it leaves too much marks and it’s too snug. If after cleaning the area it does not work. Should I size up to see if it relieves the pressure?
I'd give it a shot. Especially with the Milanese loop, the magnetic clasp is just forgiving enough where it will adjust throughout the day to the point where it isn't crazy tight. I have the M/L size and with the Series 10 it’s just the right combo/ratio for me.
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I’m almost identical and the magnetic clasp nearly makes it to the bottom of the bottom lug, but there is some room. Roughly a cm for me.
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Did you get the rash soon after starting to use the watch, or some time after? Apple watches are actually a breeding ground for staph and other bacteria, so it's recommended to wipe them down occasionally with some isopropyl. It wouldn't explain why you only started experiencing it on this new watch, but might be an option to try for some relief.