Apple Watch Series 4: Skin irritation caused by sensor

[lclev]

I wear my S4 really loose and rub a hydrocortisone cream on the area the watch rests on. This keeps the irritation to a minimum.

This is my forth watch and I never had this issue with the other ones. I have read all the posts about how it is somehow the wearer's fault. Well maybe we have more sensitive skin but there is a problem.

Lisa

 

[MilkCake]

I've been wearing the S4 for about 5 months now with no problems, and now I have irritation on my wrist where the sensor rests up against my skin. The skin has a different texture and a mild itch. Going to try wiping the watch down with alcohol, wash and disinfect all my sport bands and placing a dab of hydrocortisone on my wrist.

 

[Dammit Cubs]

I have this issue but it sounds like it is related to sweat and moisture. As I take the time to take off my watch and/or switch sides, the issue does seem to reside. Depending on the band, that seems to also make a difference as some bands keep my wrist from sweating less.

 

[Abazigal]

Having a similar issue as well after returning from a camping trip with my students. Itches when I put on the watch afterwards. Will stop wearing the watch for a couple of days and see how it goes.

 

[ftaok]

Having a similar issue as well after returning from a camping trip with my students. Itches when I put on the watch afterwards. Will stop wearing the watch for a couple of days and see how it goes.

Looks like poison ivy. Either that or you got soap under the watch and didn’t rinse it off completely.

 

[slooksterPSV]

I have my watch on too tight. I get this all the time. Yeah it can get itchy so I loosen it

 

[Abazigal]

Looks like poison ivy. Either that or you got soap under the watch and didn’t rinse it off completely.

It definitely isn’t poison ivy. I basically had my watch on the whole day and I guess the heat and stress triggered some sort of hives outbreak (which I had a bad case of many years back, and still experience a resurgence once in a while). But never this bad.

 

[44267547]

Having a similar issue as well after returning from a camping trip with my students. Itches when I put on the watch afterwards. Will stop wearing the watch for a couple of days and see how it goes.

That Doesn’t look good.

I remember reading a review on Amazon regarding the Apple Watch sensor also causing a reaction with another members skin forcing them to stop wearing the watch altogether. So it’s definitely a skin contact sensitivity issue you’re having. Good luck.

 

[Abazigal]

That’s Doesn’t look good.

I remember reading a review on Amazon regarding the Apple Watch sensor also causing a reaction with another members skin forcing them to stop wearing the watch altogether. So it’s definitely a skin contact sensitivity issue you’re having. Good luck.

Well, I have been wearing an Apple Watch since 2016 and this is the first time I have gotten such a bad rash, so I am willing to chalk it up to an untimely combination of heat, sweat, stress and the watch sensor. Will be picking up some cream for the skin later (been pretty busy these few days) and we will see how it goes.

Kinda miss having my schedule on my wrist.

 

[44267547]

Well, I have been wearing an Apple Watch since 2016 and this is the first time I have gotten such a bad rash, so I am willing to chalk it up to an untimely combination of heat, sweat, stress and the watch sensor. Will be picking up some cream for the skin later (been pretty busy these few days) and we will see how it goes.

Kinda miss having my schedule on my wrist.

What you could do, is use process of elimination, you could switch wearing your watch on the other wrist to see if you still achieve the same type of rash without all the activity that you did have recently with your class. If it reappears, then you know it’s the sensor causing a ‘specific’ reaction with your skin.

 

[Abazigal]

What you could do, is use process of elimination, you could switch wearing your watch on the other wrist to see if you still achieve the same type of rash without all the activity that you did have recently with your class. If it reappears, then you know it’s the sensor causing a ‘specific’ reaction with your skin.

Don’t know why I didn’t think of that. Am outside now, but will consider trying that later today or tomorrow. Thanks for the tip.

 

[ffiggsS4]

I bought my S4 LTE in Oct 2018. I loved it and used it on long trail runs. In Feb 2019, after sleeping with the watch on and I woke up to a burning sensation that transformed into the red irritation that many others have also experienced. Mine evolved, however, into a serious blister. Apple blew me off with "your allergic to materials in the watch". So, I went to a dermatologist to investigate a potential allergy. She ordered an allergy test. In Oct 2019 (it took forever to get scheduled with UCSF) I went to the same UCSF lab where Apple had the all materials in the watch tested for allergic reactions. I was tested for ALL materials in the watch, and the results showed that I was not allergic to any of them. Based on this, I decided my reaction must have been a fluke and that the only way to know for sure was to try the watch again. However, I decided to keep the watch on airplane mode except when I run. I wore it successfully from Nov 2019 until 7/17/20. This time, having not slept with the watch on I woke up with a prominent red irritation where the sensor is located, but had not felt any discomfort. I am not allergic to any of the watch materials, so what could it be? I guess it could be a reaction between soap or sweat under the watch, but I clean the back of the watch after showering. The two instances were under very different circumstances except that I had been running with the watch, which is the only time I have cellular service activated. Thoughts?

 

[ffiggsS4]

-

 

[harriska2]

I bought my S4 LTE in Oct 2018. I loved it and used it on long trail runs. In Feb 2019, after sleeping with the watch on and I woke up to a burning sensation that transformed into the red irritation that many others have also experienced. Mine evolved, however, into a serious blister. Apple blew me off with "your allergic to materials in the watch". So, I went to a dermatologist to investigate a potential allergy. She ordered an allergy test. In Oct 2019 (it took forever to get scheduled with UCSF) I went to the same UCSF lab where Apple had the all materials in the watch tested for allergic reactions. I was tested for ALL materials in the watch, and the results showed that I was not allergic to any of them. Based on this, I decided my reaction must have been a fluke and that the only way to know for sure was to try the watch again. However, I decided to keep the watch on airplane mode except when I run. I wore it successfully from Nov 2019 until 7/17/20. This time, having not slept with the watch on I woke up with a prominent red irritation where the sensor is located, but had not felt any discomfort. I am not allergic to any of the watch materials, so what could it be? I guess it could be a reaction between soap or sweat under the watch, but I clean the back of the watch after showering. The two instances were under very different circumstances except that I had been running with the watch, which is the only time I have cellular service activated. Thoughts?

Which band do you use? I used to use the silicone and got red irritations until I switched to nylon.

 

[digitalexplr]

I had to switch from the silicon band do to a reaction. I keep the back of the watch, S4, clean. But I have developed a rash right where the green sensor is. Looks just like the images posted.

I switch wrist every few days because of this reaction. It occurs on both wrist.

Seems this is occurring on more folks.

I have tried connecting Apple, yet, but it might time to try to call it to their attention.

 

[WEissbr0t]

I've been wearing the S4 for about 5 months now with no problems, and now I have irritation on my wrist where the sensor rests up against my skin. The skin has a different texture and a mild itch. Going to try wiping the watch down with alcohol, wash and disinfect all my sport bands and placing a dab of hydrocortisone on my wrist.
View attachment 887534

I have the same Texture Irritation on my skin. Sometimes my skin starts to peel off and seems dry after weeks. This irritation has the round shape if the back of the AppleWatch. Even if I have changed my watch to the other side.
I think it has something to do with the ECG Sensor. On the contacts must be a low level of electricity; also to determine Heart issues (if enabled)

So low power combined with sweat will cause some kind of a chemical reaction. This will rash our skins.
This explains why this is not happening on powered off watches.
Maybe Apple should address this. Maybe it’s fixed on Series 5?

 

[gymratjudy]

I have the same Texture Irritation on my skin. Sometimes my skin starts to peel off and seems dry after weeks. This irritation has the round shape if the back of the AppleWatch. Even if I have changed my watch to the other side.
I think it has something to do with the ECG Sensor. On the contacts must be a low level of electricity; also to determine Heart issues (if enabled)

So low power combined with sweat will cause some kind of a chemical reaction. This will rash our skins.
This explains why this is not happening on powered off watches.
Maybe Apple should address this. Maybe it’s fixed on Series 5?

I have the same issue and I have the Series 5. I also had it with the series 4. I try to stick to the leather, or sport loops because I do seem to get the reaction more often when I'm wearing any of the sports bands. I do think it is the nickel in the watch though. I got the same reaction when I tried wearing a Fitbit.

 

[demyers]

I thought I would resurrect this old thread and share my experience with the Apple Watch SE so far. First, a recap:

I wore a Series 1 for two years with no problems.

I traded in the Series 1 for a Series 4 and had wrist pain and skin irritation which I felt was caused by either the ECG sensor or the way the watch directed RF radiation. I had to return the Series 4.

I wore a Series 3 for two years with no problems.

I was excited when Apple announced the SE since it lacked the ECG sensor so I ordered one right away and have been wearing it for about a week now. While I don't have the wrist pain or skin irritation I experienced with the Series 4 I do occasionally feel a stinging sensation from the watch. Even so I really like the SE and hope I'm able to keep wearing it.

 

[Glene]

I have had a slight rash on previous watches. Primarily with a sport band and AW4. I have not had it with my AW6. I take my watch off about once a week and use an alcohol swab on the back and the inside of the band. Problem when away. I also use the Nike band that is has multiple holes in it so my wrist breathes a bit better. No problems so far.

 

[harriska2]

I switched from the sports band to a loop and the itching and rash went away.