Apple Watch Burn

[HDFan]

Your own link puts it better than I could:

You left out:

WHO, through its International EMF Project, is identifying research needs and co-ordinating a world-wide program of EMF studies to allow a better understanding of any health risk associated with EMF exposure. Particular emphasis is placed on possible health consequences of low-level EMF.

As I said the research isn't there yet. I don't need a research study to tell me that it exists since I have met folks who have the issue and experience it myself.

Your advice is good that all standard medical approaches should be explored first since the odds of emf sensitivity are extremely low.

 

[BenGoren]

Apple Watch wearers report ‘burn marks and blisters’

Users claim they have been rebuffed by the US tech giant or told it was an allergy problem

www.thetimes.com

Sigh.

Jewelry has been causing rashes since people first started wrapping shiny bits of metal around themselves. Seems the only difference is that, while it used to attributed to diamond-dwelling demons, now it’s software updates.

You literally can’t be near a TV for fifteen minutes without it exhorting you to “ask your doctor” about some weird and / or embarrassing medical condition. I and others have been constantly asking you to see your doctor. Is this rash not weird and / or embarrassing enough for you to do so? Is it because I’m not an handsome late-middle-aged white male actor wearing a lab coat with a stethoscope around my neck?

Please. You don’t need to suffer. Ask your doctor today if competent medical evaluation and treatment is right for you.

b&

 

[Bandoholic]

Quite a few people have complained about this, I have 4 Apple Watches, wearing 1 dedicated to sleep tracking, and 3 that I rotate wearing, I make sure to clean the bottom of the watch with a wet wipe every few days, and perhaps most importantly, I never wear my watches tight, I prefer wearing them loose, to wear I can slide 1 or even 2 fingers under the band, thankfully have never had any issues.

 

[G4RHL]

Sigh.

Jewelry has been causing rashes since people first started wrapping shiny bits of metal around themselves. Seems the only difference is that, while it used to attributed to diamond-dwelling demons, now it’s software updates.

You literally can’t be near a TV for fifteen minutes without it exhorting you to “ask your doctor” about some weird and / or embarrassing medical condition. I and others have been constantly asking you to see your doctor. Is this rash not weird and / or embarrassing enough for you to do so? Is it because I’m not an handsome late-middle-aged white male actor wearing a lab coat with a stethoscope around my neck?

Please. You don’t need to suffer. Ask your doctor today if competent medical evaluation and treatment is right for you.

b&

I am not suffering!

 

[goldmac2006]

Quite a few people have complained about this, I have 4 Apple Watches, wearing 1 dedicated to sleep tracking, and 3 that I rotate wearing, I make sure to clean the bottom of the watch with a wet wipe every few days, and perhaps most importantly, I never wear my watches tight, I prefer wearing them loose, to wear I can slide 1 or even 2 fingers under the band, thankfully have never had any issues.

I always do that. I use a lens cleaner and a nice glasses cloth to wipe down the Apple Watch including the bottom of it after I work out and sweat in it, and switch my band as well. The band gets wiped down as well and if it’s a leather band I gently clean it with a cloth and not dampen it.

I do like how you said that proper fit of Apple Watch bands should not be too tight, just right is the answer. We need our wrists to breathe properly and allow airflow into the band and around the wrist the Apple Watch sits on.

 

[Neodym]

Anecdotal evidence: Some years ago (AW4 SS or 6 SS - cant remember) I had a similar phenomenon of the watch having left an itching, burn-like spot on my wrist. Back was very warm to the touch. Can’t remember all details, but it looked like AW had cranked up internal radios full throttle.

A reboot made it behave properly again.

Happened once more (reboot again fixed it) and after a WatchOS update never happened again to this very day (currently on U2, wearing it day and night).

Try to argue it away with rashes, contact dermatitis or whatever else. You are wearing a radio-emitting device on your wrist and if that behaves wrong, it can hurt you.

Of course Apple would never acknowledge or admit (because of trigger-happy lawyers only waiting for such a mistake), but the SAR values for most Apple devices are nothing to write home about.

 

[Pug72]

The watches 'Internal radios full throttle' couldn't damage skin.

I've had it. As soon as I notice any irritation I remove and clean watch and leave off for a day. As long as catch it early I'm good to go the next day.
Never rebooted watch for it.

 

[SuzyM70]

Could the reaction be due to nickel in the metal part? Apple: Wearing your Apple Watch - "If you know you have allergies or other sensitivities, be aware that Apple Watch and some of its bands contain the following materials: Nickel, Acrylates." Reddit post.

 

[G4RHL]

Could the reaction be due to nickel in the metal part? Apple: Wearing your Apple Watch - "If you know you have allergies or other sensitivities, be aware that Apple Watch and some of its bands contain the following materials: Nickel, Acrylates." Reddit post.

Very doubtful as if so the reaction would be always present or frequently so. In my case it occurred 5 years ago out of the blue after an OS update and went just as quickly after another update. The same this time. No other changes or method of wearing or using in these periods than I have been adopting for the past 9 years. Not a painful or itchy reaction though just a red mark appears under the sensor. I think some have suffered more than this.Some have suggested it is the heart rate monitor is too powerful for a short period until cranked down by the next update. I don't know. Apple do but I doubt they will tell us!

 

[tomacwhite]

I’ve worn watches all my life, and before the Ultra 2 I had two other Apple Watches; Series 2 Nike and a 5 (I think it was?). No issues, ever.

Anyway, I’ve got an Ultra 2 with Ocean Band and I get occasional rashes and irritation. I’ve swapped it for a Spigen ultra thin fabric (and swapped to my right wrist which I hate but want to allow the left to heal) to see how I get on.

I am also going to try an Apple Sports Band too to see how I get on. Never had any issues with any watch I’ve worn, except the Ultra 2. It’s always washed and dried every day and my wrist is clean, so the only thing I can think of is the back of the Ultra 2, and the metal on the Ocean Band, but let’s see if this new strap works ok (one day so far and no issues so far). Infact even after this short period, I am almost certain is the metal material on the Ocean Band. I may get a Trail or Alpine band if this Spigen one works out ok.

But yeah, take the watch off if it causes issues!

 

[Nhwhazup]

For those that have the issue. Clean your watch. Then wear it turned off and then turned on. We did this with my daughter’s watch. She could wear it turned off with no issues. As soon as she turned it on, she would get the tingling feeling and after a few hours red mark where it touched her skin. She returned it.

 

[Absrnd]

For those that have the issue. Clean your watch. Then wear it turned off and then turned on. We did this with my daughter’s watch. She could wear it turned off with no issues. As soon as she turned it on, she would get the tingling feeling and after a few hours red mark where it touched her skin. She returned it.

Wow she is a very special girl.
She's a 1 in 26 million

 

[G4RHL]

Some bands can produce an irritation. I found the metal “stud” on the rear of the sport band did. I covered it with a piece of surgical tape and no problem thereafter. I now use a third party band from Belroy.

Keeping the watch clean is a must. Just wash in cold water. Also, when there has been an update I power off the watch after all is installed, then power off the iPhone, then switch the iPhone back on and once booted up switch the watch on.

I have had no further problem since the WatchOS update.

 

[Pixels7]

I don’t have an Apple Watch yet (where are you 20 september?!). But if I don’t switch wrists every night before sleeping, I sometimes get a huge burning rash on my wrist from my Garmin Watch. So yes, it is the watch, but then in combination with my skin/ body. It doesn’t matter, if I wear something else on my skin 24/7, I get a rash. Even when it’s a wooden bracelet without metals or some chemical finish. So it’s the same with my watch. My skin is just being a pain in the ***.

The rash is not always happening and also not at the same intensity. It depends on temperature, if my body has been in contact with allergens, if I’m not feeling well etc. But to prevent a rash, I just switch wrists. It just works!

So please go to a dermatologist. And switch wrists, I wear my watch on my left wrist during the day and on my right wrist during the night. When it’s very humid weather I switch more often during the day. Because I get a rash more easily then. It’s important to prevent that the rash gets bad and breaks your skin.

What gets trapped under your wrist daily (chemicals, pollen, fungus spores, even your own sweat) is not the same composition every day. So that you’re experiencing symptoms intermittently is not so strange. When you have pollen allergies for example you can go months without symptoms too.

 

[G4RHL]

I don’t have an Apple Watch yet (where are you 20 september?!). But if I don’t switch wrists every night before sleeping, I sometimes get a huge burning rash on my wrist from my Garmin Watch. So yes, it is the watch, but then in combination with my skin/ body. It doesn’t matter, if I wear something else on my skin 24/7, I get a rash. Even when it’s a wooden bracelet without metals or some chemical finish. So it’s the same with my watch. My skin is just being a pain in the ***.

The rash is not always happening and also not at the same intensity. It depends on temperature, if my body has been in contact with allergens, if I’m not feeling well etc. But to prevent a rash, I just switch wrists. It just works!

So please go to a dermatologist. And switch wrists, I wear my watch on my left wrist during the day and on my right wrist during the night. When it’s very humid weather I switch more often during the day. Because I get a rash more easily then. It’s important to prevent that the rash gets bad and breaks your skin.

What gets trapped under your wrist daily (chemicals, pollen, fungus spores, even your own sweat) is not the same composition every day. So that you’re experiencing symptoms intermittently is not so strange. When you have pollen allergies for example you can go months without symptoms too.

Switching wrists achieved nothing. It happened on both wrists. It stopped when the OS was updated. This second time, the first was about 5 years ago, I knew that very quickly an update for the watchOS would be produced after reporting it. It was, extremely quickly. No problem thereafter. Dermatological cream has been tried but it did nothing. It is not that big an issue, no pain or itchiness, just a red circular mark appears under the sensor. As said the best cure is the update to the software!

 

[Pixels7]

Switching wrists achieved nothing. It happened on both wrists. It stopped when the OS was updated. This second time, the first was about 5 years ago, I knew that very quickly an update for the watchOS would be produced after reporting it. It was, extremely quickly. No problem thereafter. Dermatological cream has been tried but it did nothing. It is not that big an issue, no pain or itchiness, just a red circular mark appears under the sensor. As said the best cure is the update to the software!

But maybe it’s still a good idea then, to go to a dermatologist? Because if it’s really caused by the software (in combination with the hardware) and you can proof it with a dermatologist diagnosis to Apple? I’m sure they would be interested to know.

I remember some articles from a few years ago that some Fitbit watches were giving people third degree or second degree burns. And when I just had my Garmin watch and I got a rash (same spot as your rash, under the sensor) I contacted customer support and they asked me if the Garmin sensor got hot to the touch. For me the rash got solved by switching wrists every night, so that my skin can breath freely. But it made me wonder back then what could go wrong with the sensor, when Garmin Customer support asked those questions.

 

[G4RHL]

But maybe it’s still a good idea then, to go to a dermatologist? Because if it’s really caused by the software (in combination with the hardware) and you can proof it with a dermatologist diagnosis to Apple? I’m sure they would be interested to know.

I remember some articles from a few years ago that some Fitbit watches were giving people third degree or second degree burns. And when I just had my Garmin watch and I got a rash (same spot as your rash, under the sensor) I contacted customer support and they asked me if the Garmin sensor got hot to the touch. For me the rash got solved by switching wrists every night, so that my skin can breath freely. But it made me wonder back then what could go wrong with the sensor, when Garmin Customer support asked those questions.

Indeed yes. Whilst a dermatologist would tell me what I already know I guess the expertise behind a letter telling me just that would have some influence. Two problems in doing that. There is nothing to see since the OS update. I would have to wait until there is another date with the same issue, and then when the mark appears get an appointment with a Consultant. That leads to the second problem. Not possible. By the time I got an appointment there would have been an update and the mark would have gone again! I have no doubt at all Apple know what causes this with some people.

 

[goldmac2006]

I don’t think you have properly read what I have reported. It is the watch. The first time, a few tears back, I changed wrists and got exactly the same reaction. The watch! This time I changed wrists at the same time as the update in the software and I expected there to be no reaction. There was not and still isn’t. The watch creates, well now created since the update, the problem. Apple have addressed it.

Something has to be wrong, man… if you have multiple Apple Watches which one is primarily used? Do you test it out with different bands?

Some bands can produce an irritation. I found the metal “stud” on the rear of the sport band did. I covered it with a piece of surgical tape and no problem thereafter. I now use a third party band from Belroy.

Keeping the watch clean is a must. Just wash in cold water. Also, when there has been an update I power off the watch after all is installed, then power off the iPhone, then switch the iPhone back on and once booted up switch the watch on.

I have had no further problem since the WatchOS update.

Indeed yes. Whilst a dermatologist would tell me what I already know I guess the expertise behind a letter telling me just that would have some influence. Two problems in doing that. There is nothing to see since the OS update. I would have to wait until there is another date with the same issue, and then when the mark appears get an appointment with a Consultant. That leads to the second problem. Not possible. By the time I got an appointment there would have been an update and the mark would have gone again! I have no doubt at all Apple know what causes this with some people.

Let them rule it out for your metal allergy from the Apple Watch and its bands. File a complaint with Apple and document it.

 

[Pixels7]

Indeed yes. Whilst a dermatologist would tell me what I already know I guess the expertise behind a letter telling me just that would have some influence. Two problems in doing that. There is nothing to see since the OS update. I would have to wait until there is another date with the same issue, and then when the mark appears get an appointment with a Consultant. That leads to the second problem. Not possible. By the time I got an appointment there would have been an update and the mark would have gone again! I have no doubt at all Apple know what causes this with some people.

Yes that’s indeed a problem, in my country it’s also a 6-9 month wait before you can see a dermatologist after you have a referral. I forgot about that because I have a skin disease, so I have a few dermatologist appointments a year and can always call them when I have something weird again.

And it’s true, most of the time when you finally have an appointment the rash is gone. Super annoying.

I sure hope you will be able to resolve it though. It must be very frustrating. The best would be if it’ll not occur again of course If I understood correctly your rash is now gone?

 

[G4RHL]

Yes that’s indeed a problem, in my country it’s also a 6-9 month wait before you can see a dermatologist after you have a referral. I forgot about that because I have a skin disease, so I have a few dermatologist appointments a year and can always call them when I have something weird again.

And it’s true, most of the time when you finally have an appointment the rash is gone. Super annoying.

I sure hope you will be able to resolve it though. It must be very frustrating. The best would be if it’ll not occur again of course If I understood correctly your rash is now gone?

Yes, all gone since the rushed out update some weeks ago.

 

[goldmac2006]

Y'all would like to bring up something from one of the threads I co-lead of an AW user's wife that did not wear her series 10 based on doctor's guidance. Does nerve damage also impact getting burning sensations from AWs? https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/33848349/

 

[G4RHL]

Had no residual damage. It has not come back since I last posted after the update. No doubt it may after some future update.

 

[goldmac2006]

Had no residual damage. It has not come back since I last posted after the update. No doubt it may after some future update.

Glad it’s not there anymore it’s quite uncomfortable when there’s always a rash or burning sensation from Apple Watch!

Btw if you click on the link I found another Apple Watch wearer that is having issues. But this time down to the nerve not skin.

 

[G4RHL]

I had no discomfort at all, not even a burning sensation, just the round mark that looks like a burn right under the sensor. The same as the first time this appeared a few years ago. The first time Apple were in touch and wanted photos etc. Then an update to the IOS appeared!