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Devastation!!!

maflynn said:
Not necessairly, as mentioned my wife has an issue with certain alloys, it did not show up immediately, but after a period of time from wearing certain earrings. Now the reaction is fairly quick but when she developed the sensitivity it was not immediate.
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Okay, fair enough, Was not aware they could take that long to develop.

I get exactly the same reactions as per pics the OP supplied, and they were due to sweat/heat etc, which would be make worse by the AW due to it being on tight for the HR monitor.
 
maflynn said:
Not necessairly, as mentioned my wife has an issue with certain alloys, it did not show up immediately, but after a period of time from wearing certain earrings. Now the reaction is fairly quick but when she developed the sensitivity it was not immediate.
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That's correct. Individuals can slowly develop allergies over time, and subsequent reactions often come on quicker. It's the hypersensitive individuals who get reaction within hours of wearing it.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
That's correct. Individuals can slowly develop allergies over time, and subsequent reactions often come on quicker. It's the hypersensitive individuals who get reaction within hours of wearing it.
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Thirding this. Nickel allergies are pretty common and can develop/get worse over time when there's direct skin exposure. It's an unfortunate pain in the ass for those who are affected.
 
OK.. Update....

Yes I clean my watch...

I pretty much wear it full time 5 days per week and sporadically on the weekend.. So my skin did get some good breaks.

The rash/burn/irritation took 3 1/2 weeks to heal properly, however after 6 weeks since I notified Apple of the issue there is still a shadow on my skin where it was.

I have worn all types of jewellery and materials on my skin for over 40 years and never have I had a problem. Before the Apple Watch I was wearing a Citizen watch.

The rash/burn/irritation was from the "composite back" or the LED sensors, or a combination of both - I believe. There was no indication it was from the band or the aluminium. The aluminium was never in direct contact with my skin.

Yes it did take about 8 weeks or so for the rash/burn/irritation to come up.

I am still waiting on a resolution from Apple. The watch was sent to the 2 weeks ago - after stuffing around with lack of return instructions, I dropped in to my local Apple Store and had them return it. I have been without the use of the watch for about 5-6 weeks and I am getting frustrated. It is a lot of money to spend to not get the use of it.

I probably won't buy the SS model, it is far too expensive for my pocket :( I will however look into another fitness tracker (any suggestions?)

Will keep you all posted on Apple's response..
 
claretok said:
OK.. Update....


The rash/burn/irritation was from the "composite back" or the LED sensors, or a combination of both - I believe. There was no indication it was from the band or the aluminium. The aluminum was never in direct contact with my skin.....

I am still waiting on a resolution from Apple. The watch was sent to the 2 weeks ago - after stuffing around with lack of return instructions, I dropped in to my local Apple Store and had them return it. I have been without the use of the watch for about 5-6 weeks and I am getting frustrated. It is a lot of money to spend to not get the use of it.....
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There is no way you can wear the :apple:Watch without direct skin contact with the aluminum case. While the plastics used in the back are hypoallergenic this is no guarantee that you might not have an allergic reaction.

Also remember Apple is doing you a courtesy if they offer a refund this far out of the return period (most companies would not). Even allowing you a cost difference upgrade to the SS would be a generous offer.
 
claretok said:
OK.. Update....

Yes I clean my watch...

I pretty much wear it full time 5 days per week and sporadically on the weekend.. So my skin did get some good breaks.

The rash/burn/irritation took 3 1/2 weeks to heal properly, however after 6 weeks since I notified Apple of the issue there is still a shadow on my skin where it was.

I have worn all types of jewellery and materials on my skin for over 40 years and never have I had a problem. Before the Apple Watch I was wearing a Citizen watch.

The rash/burn/irritation was from the "composite back" or the LED sensors, or a combination of both - I believe. There was no indication it was from the band or the aluminium. The aluminium was never in direct contact with my skin.

Yes it did take about 8 weeks or so for the rash/burn/irritation to come up.

I am still waiting on a resolution from Apple. The watch was sent to the 2 weeks ago - after stuffing around with lack of return instructions, I dropped in to my local Apple Store and had them return it. I have been without the use of the watch for about 5-6 weeks and I am getting frustrated. It is a lot of money to spend to not get the use of it.

I probably won't buy the SS model, it is far too expensive for my pocket :( I will however look into another fitness tracker (any suggestions?)

Will keep you all posted on Apple's response..
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I doubt there's much you, or Apple, can do. If it's an allergy to a material in the watch back/sensor pod then there's nothing you can do. If it's an irritation from sweat build-up between the watch back and your skin then a solution may be to keep it very clean and give your skin breaks by not wearing the watch occasionally.
 
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xraydoc said:
I doubt there's much you, or Apple, can do. If it's an allergy to a material in the watch back/sensor pod then there's nothing you can do.
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Well, the OP can still upgrade to the SS model as it's a different material (ceramic back) but is apparently refusing to shell out the extra $$$ for it.
 
Personally I would either try the SS or give the Sport another go. I have had my share of allergic reactions and skin irritations over the years. They can be tricky things, and many are quick to say they are allergic or sensitive to this or that based on a single occurrence when it was really just an isolated incident.

I would use your other wrist as the control. Wear it there for awhile and keep things clean and dry... And no lotions. If all goes well for a good long time, switch the watch back to your preferred wrist. If all does not go well, take the watch off at the first sign of irritation and document the healing with photos. Then you can say it's an allergy or recurring sensitivity with more confidence.

Sean
 
xraydoc said:
I doubt there's much you, or Apple, can do. If it's an allergy to a material in the watch back/sensor pod then there's nothing you can do. If it's an irritation from sweat build-up between the watch back and your skin then a solution may be to keep it very clean and give your skin breaks by not wearing the watch occasionally.
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Or wear it on alternate wrists each day?

Sorry to hear about this. I'd be pissed if it was me. It does seem to be where the circular back contacts the skin. Could it be the watch is too tight and sweat and/or heat builds up? I know some have said you must wear the watch tightly for the HRM to work, but I have mine on comfortably loose and the HRM monitor still works just fine.

What's the temperature in Sydney? Work outside? Beach (salt and sand)? Heat? Humidity?
 
I had a similar (though less severe) reaction when I first got my Sport. Some knowledgeable and kind soul here suggested that water/sweat was becoming trapped between the Watch and the skin, causing irritation.

I started wearing the band one hole looser and am now very careful to dry my wrist after watching my hands. Three months on, I haven't had a problem since. It might be worth trying again? I know I'm very glad I did not look about returning my Watch when I had problems with it.
 
i had a crazy bad rash all around my wrist when i started to wear the watch - maybe 2 weeks after i got it. the leather loop made it worse - it hung around for about 3-4 weeks, then went away. could've been the heat - or just my skin getting used to being covered for 12 hours a day...
 
claretok said:
So I am a huge Apple product fan.. Have heaps of the products.

Ordered the Apple Watch sports in Aluminium with a blue band the day orders opened and it arrived 8am on 23 April 2015!! Boy was I excited.

Well about 8 weeks ago after wearing my watch, pretty much every day since I got it, I developed what I call a burn on my wrist just underneath the where the LED sensors sit. It stung a lot and was really itchy and if I put the watch back on it really hurt.

So I have been on the phone on and off with Apple who wanted to capture the watch for testing for about 5-6 weeks now. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I received a phone call from them last night saying that they believe it is a skin irritation and don't recommend I wear the watch at all and offered a full refund.

I am devastated I can no longer be in-sync with my Apple gear :(
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Respectfully... You Don't Know Devastation
 
mac8867 said:
Dude!!! Do what girls who are allergic to earing posts do. Paint the bottom of the watch with clear nail polish.
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Curious to know if anyone that has the rash and still has watch tried applying clear nail polish to the back of the watch to keep the skin contact just to the nail polish vs. the Nickel. Would the charger still make contact to allow a charge connection?

I used a different approach:

I have developed this rash from the nickel backing of the  Sports Space Gray watch. I was thinking if I could cover the sensors with a clear plastic to protect the skin from watch back I should be able to continue to wear this sweet watch.
I was concerned:
 Should I use clear nail polish? Would that ruin the watch back material? This application will have to be reapplied monthly as the clear nail polish wears off.

 Would a plastic screen or case covering like the ZAGG product work?

 Will the watch be able to read heart beat with something on the back?

 Will watch be able to charge?

I just put a circle swatch of the ZAGG product over sensors. Apple Watch is Able to charge and my skin isn't feeling any irritation like I was before the installation. I think this is going to solve my skin irritation.

I do not endorse /sell the ZAGG products in any way. I have the ZAGG covering on two iPad airs and it's a great strong product.
 
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nongsung said:
My wife got blisters on her wrist just where the sensors are. I washed the backside with luke warm water and mild soap, rubbed it good and rinsed it of. Problem solved.
Click to expand...

Curious to know if anyone that has the rash and still has watch tried applying clear nail polish to the back of the watch to keep the skin contact just to the nail polish vs. the Nickel. Would the charger still make contact to allow a charge connection?
 
claretok said:
So I am a huge Apple product fan.. Have heaps of the products.

Ordered the Apple Watch sports in Aluminium with a blue band the day orders opened and it arrived 8am on 23 April 2015!! Boy was I excited.

Well about 8 weeks ago after wearing my watch, pretty much every day since I got it, I developed what I call a burn on my wrist just underneath the where the LED sensors sit. It stung a lot and was really itchy and if I put the watch back on it really hurt.

So I have been on the phone on and off with Apple who wanted to capture the watch for testing for about 5-6 weeks now. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I received a phone call from them last night saying that they believe it is a skin irritation and don't recommend I wear the watch at all and offered a full refund.

I am devastated I can no longer be in-sync with my Apple gear :(
Click to expand...
++++++++++
 
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So OP sorry to hear your trouble. I had a very similar issue with mine on the band. I can echo apples of support. I also had a sport mine was on the band area where I had an issue. I reached out to apple they said no joke wash it and wear it differently. I was like I am not a fool I looked that up day one of issue. Flash forward a few days and humorous support calls and emails and pictures I end up with no choice but to head to the Apple Store. I get to the store the person says we have seen this before sorry though luck. This agent even tried to insinuate I was trolling for a free watch. I was floored. I showed him my rash showed them my case with Apple expecting some sort of management touch up I got nothing. They took my watch and gave me a refund. I reached out to Corp and they were not very helpful either. I let them know of my two poor experiences. They were like sorry oh FYI now that you have returned it we can swap the band if you paid the difference. I told the executive support person that it was a little late to be making that offer once I have had returned there clearly not working product for me. I just am left going Apple does not know how to handle this wearable category in support terms. I bought your watch I have no known issues. I wear watches daily. I am your prime target. I am an early adopter. I own a lot of Apple stuff. This is how you treat me. I suddenly have the urge to no longer recommend your company. I mean I have had more responses from dell India support than these clowns.

So OP I you get some service where I did not. I will not be giving Apple any more of my money after this debacle.
 
That happened to me too. I thought it would go away after not wearing the watch for a while. But as soon as the watch was back on my wrist, it would flare up. I had the stainless so I don't think it matters. I gave it away to a friend. Good thing it was cheap but still with Apples reputation I expected it to work out.
 
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