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Apple Watch Sport - Skin rash where steel pin meets wrist

Starfox

Starfox

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 7, 2011
256
9
I got an Apple Watch Sport on the 24th and in the past couple of days I've noticed a rash on my wrist right where the stainless steel pin makes contact with the skin when the band is closed. Has anybody experienced anything similar? Could I be allergic to the stainless steel? Is there even such a thing?
 
The moisture and warmth that can accumulate between the band and your skin is the perfect breeding ground for a fungus tbh.

Not saying that's what happened to you, but it's very possible! :cool:
 
You can try painting the metal pins with clear acrylic nail polish if you must. That should provide a barrier between the metal and skin. But first I would bring this up to apple,I'm sure they would like to hear about it. Especially with the Fitbit fiasco earlier with people being allergic to thier bands.
 
Yah, nickel allergy would be my first suspect.

Inform Apple. They need to know.
 
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I doubt they used nickel. Fitbit had a whole ordeal about an allergy and had a massive recall. Nickel is a known allergen. They wouldn't want any part of what Fitbit went through.
 
dyt1983 said:
All 300-series stainless steels have nickel, and so do many others... even Rolex's 904L. It's rare to have a watch without nickel (and I consider the various solid gold watches to be relatively rare). And it's not uncommon for people to be allergic to the nickel. Plastic shields, the aforementioned nail polish, and bandages are common suggestions in the non-Apple watch forums.
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I stand by my original statement. Apple isn't the average company and this isn't an ordinary watch.
 
frumpy16 said:
I stand by my original statement. Apple isn't the average company and this isn't an ordinary watch.
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?? If anything, Apple is a noob in the wearable market place. So they are not ordinary; they are beginners. I put more faith in the established watch brands. Google stainless steel. Nickle is a common part of the various alloys. Some people are sensitive to it. Oh well, such is life. Some peolple die from just being in the same room as peanuts. Life is rough that way.
 
frumpy16 said:
I stand by my original statement. Apple isn't the average company and this isn't an ordinary watch.
Click to expand...

Well you'd be wrong:

https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1708/en_US/apple_watch_user_guide.pdf#page81

Skin sensitivities Some people may experience reactions to certain materials used in jewelry, watches, and other wearable items that are in prolonged contact with their skin. This can be due to allergies, environmental factors, extended exposure to irritants like soap, sweat, or other causes. You may be more likely to experience irritation from any wearable device if you have allergies or other sensitivities. If you have known skin sensitivities, please take special care when wearing Apple Watch. You may be more likely to experience irritation from Apple Watch if you wear it too tightly. Remove Apple Watch periodically to allow your skin to breathe. Keeping Apple Watch and the band clean and dry will reduce the possibility of skin irritation. If you experience redness, swelling, itchiness, or any other irritation or discomfort on your skin around, or beneath, your Apple Watch, please remove Apple Watch and consult your physician before resuming wear. Continued use, even after symptoms subside, may result in renewed or increased irritation.

Apple Watch, the space gray Apple Watch Sport, the stainless steel portions of some Apple Watch bands, and the magnets in the watch and bands contain some nickel. Nickel exposure from these materials is unlikely, but customers with known nickel allergies should be attentive when wearing them until they can determine they are not experiencing an allergic reaction.

Apple Watch, the Milanese Loop, Modern Buckle, and Leather Loop bands contain trace amounts of methacrylates from adhesives. Methacrylates are commonly found in many consumer products that come in contact with the skin, including adhesive bandages, but some people may be sensitive to them, or develop sensitivities over time. Methacrylate exposure from Apple Watch and the bands listed above is unlikely, but customers with known methacrylate allergies should be attentive when wearing the bands until they can determine they are not experiencing an allergic reaction.

The materials used in Apple Watch and the Apple Watch bands meet the standards set for jewelry by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, applicable European regulations, and other international standards.
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Google stainless steel.

So you're telling me that google is such an expert in watches that google designed their own stainless steel?

Fascinating. Why aren't there any google watches? Why are all the android wear rubber and plastic? I don't recall google being an established brand for watches. Do enlighten me on when that happened?

DynaFXD said:
?? If anything, Apple is a noob in the wearable market place. So they are not ordinary; they are beginners. I put more faith in the established watch brands. Google stainless steel. Nickle is a common part of the various alloys. Some people are sensitive to it. Oh well, such is life. Some peolple die from just being in the same room as peanuts. Life is rough that way.
Click to expand...
 
Mac 128 said:
Well you'd be wrong:

https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1708/en_US/apple_watch_user_guide.pdf#page81
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You left out the part that didn't support your statement.

Nickel. Apple Watch, the space gray Apple Watch Sport, the stainless steel portions of some Apple Watch bands, and the magnets in the watch and bands contain some nickel. However, they all fall below the strict nickel restrictions set by European REACh regulation. Therefore, while nickel exposure is unlikely to be a problem, you should be aware of the possibility in case you're susceptible to nickel-related reactions.

My statement about Apple being a different kind of company was in this regard. They clearly designed the product deliberately to make the level of nickel be as low as possible. Other companies may not go to the trouble.

You can say I'm wrong but it's all interpretation.
 
The pin is Stainless Steel anyways, not nickel.

mf08UFm.jpg
 
frumpy16 said:
My statement about Apple being a different kind of company was in this regard. They clearly designed the product deliberately to make the level of nickel be as low as possible. Other companies may not go to the trouble.

You can say I'm wrong but it's all interpretation.
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Agreed. They might be "noobs" in the Watch business, but they're experts at creating an end-user experience. They would do as much as they could to avoid a skin allergen fiasco.
 
akonikui said:
Agreed. They might be "noobs" in the Watch business, but they're experts at creating an end-user experience. They would do as much as they could to avoid a skin allergen fiasco.
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Especially since Fitbit has been in the news *twice* over allergy issues with their products.
 
frumpy16 said:
I doubt they used nickel. Fitbit had a whole ordeal about an allergy and had a massive recall. Nickel is a known allergen. They wouldn't want any part of what Fitbit went through.
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I had that problem at the same point on a Fitbit, just not the model recalled. I'm assuming Apple would use better materials since its sports band costs $50 and Fitbit sells 3 for $20. Also, as you mentioned, that recall wasn't exactly a buried story.

I'll be interested to see how mine reacts. If I have trouble, I'll definitely be taking the band in for a swap of some sort. I just hope that doesn't happen.
 
bulbousnub said:
The pin is Stainless Steel anyways, not nickel.

Image
Click to expand...

I still wouldn't discount it. Ni is a key alloying element used along with Cr in the hardening and corrosion resistance processes in stainless steels. If you got a band with a high(er) concentration of nickel on the surface (indicative of a poor alloy), I wouldn't be surprised if this is causing the rash.

(I studied MatSci (metallurgy) and MechE in college).
 
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frumpy16 said:
I stand by my original statement. Apple isn't the average company and this isn't an ordinary watch.
Click to expand...

It's made the same way, and from the same materials, that millions of other watches are made:

From metal ingots rolled into strips, cut into blanks, which are cold forged into shape, and then milled and polished.

It will have the same nickel allergy problems as any other modern stainless steel watch. Which is to say, not very much, but some people are very sensitive.

pragmatous said:
Fascinating. Why aren't there any google watches? Why are all the android wear rubber and plastic?
Click to expand...

The Apple Sport comes with a synthetic rubber strap. What's wrong with that?

As for plastic body, that is true of the LG Watch G, the Sony SW3 (although it has a stainless steel back), and the Samsung Gear Live.

Other Android Wear watches are either about the same price as, or much less than, the aluminum Apple Sport, but come with stainless steel and leather:

  • The Moto 360 is stainless steel with Horween leather strap (or link).
  • The LG Watch R and LG Urbane are stainless steel with leather straps.
  • The Asus Zen Watch is stainless steel with leather strap.
  • The Huawei Watch is stainless steel with leather strap.

They can also use any standard 22mm watch strap.
 
bulbousnub said:
The pin is Stainless Steel anyways, not nickel.
Click to expand...

Take a look at the postings above. The reason you don't find stainless steel on the periodic table is because it's not an element. Steel is an alloy — a solid state solution of different metallic elements. Iron is always the primary constituent. Stainless steels also by definition always have chromium. But they can have a variety of other metals included in the alloy, as minority constituents. Apple's stainless steel contains small amounts of nickel. Most people have no negative reaction, but some do.

I had a reaction to the nickel in the stainless steel hardware that my orthodontist used as a kid, but my current stainless steel watch doesn't give me any trouble. Hope the same is the case for the Apple Watch.
 
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Oh so you're speaking for that guy that said that thing? How do you know what he meant? Unless ... you're his doppleganger!:eek:

BrettDS said:
Google was a verb in that sentence. He was suggesting that you look up stainless steel on google.
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Kent01 said:
You could be allergic to the alloy. I would monitor it. It's bound to happen to some.
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If it is an allergic response ( and I agree that is likely what is happening ) ... then the response will worsen with repeated contact.

Much like bee stings ... or any thing really.

Your body (Defense Structure) is over responding to a natural phenomena like dirt ... or a ball point pen ... and saying ... "THIS IS BAD" ... it is going to kill me and I have to sneeze and get histamines up ... make water and swellings.

Such as with the bee sting ... your body goes into anaphylactic shock, and you basically die from exhaustion.

Can only fight so much and so long.

There are wrist watches that are ALL METAL ... identical to the pin there in the iWatch in contact with your skin .. and lots of people do just fine with it.

I don't think Apple made garage there, even though it is Chinese manufacture basically.

But the Chinese might have been cheap with Apple customers and put nuclear radiation particles from steel they wanted to sell and move as product and make money.

They are sick that way ...

If so .. then there will be others, lots of others who have skin contact with a toxic poorly made alloy.

Seems the Tap Engine .. has to be in skin contact for you to sense it. So having metal contact with your skin is part of the design even if you have a leather watch band. The metal contact would likely include biometric sensors you might not know anything about and Apple is taking biometrics on you with out your permission and prior consent.

Keep an eye on it ... take to your doctor if it worsens.

The more you have contact with it .. the more likely you will need to be worried about an Epi Pen to have around to save your life ... as sometime in the future you have metal contact of this nature .. and you get a death sentence.

The alllergic response thingy.

Oh .. the allergic response can be HEALED UP .. but not according to White Man's Medicine .. they just give you drugs and wait for you to die.

As White Man's Medicine is cut, poison and burn buy the Patient Numbers.

It do not have have a patient number for you to buy it is not medicine.

Their science says ... that a defibrillation device of 1000 volts will stop your heart.

But a Tazer device of 50,000 volts is harmless.

They are nuts ... and do not know it I am sorry to say.

:apple::apple::apple:
 
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