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Baristud

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 28, 2014
7
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I've never had this type of reaction before. I got the SG 42mm Sport and for the last two days I've noticed when I wear the watch my wrist turns red, itches, and burns. It's only where the metal comes into contact with the skin, not the composite or the sport band. Has anyone else had a reaction to it, and do you think they would let me swap my watch for the stainless steel (paying the difference, of course)?
 
Why wouldn't they let you swap it? You have 14 days, provided they have them in stock. If they don't you can return yours and preorder the one you need.
 
My friend has a Fitbit and, where the little metal clasp is, he has a red rash. It looks really bad - he should probably stop wearing it!

I've noticed no irritation either from the aluminium body or SS pin on the Sport band. I'd have hoped that Apple would have tested this as extensively as possible - it would be awful to be allergic to the metals.
 
Buy the gold, you shouldn't have a problem with that.

Not a practical advice to suggest people buy a $10K-17K version.

OP, people can be allergic to all sorts of metal, and those who've never worn a watch in their life will find out sooner or later. Try SS and a leather band. Even some can't wear leather and need to resort to link bracelets whereas others are the other way around.
 
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I have had my watch since launch day and just this past Sunday, after almost 2 months of daily wear, this happens! (See photo). I'm wondering if the metal on the band could be the culprit because one area is a perfect circle :(. I'm allergic to nickel but you'd think I'd have reacted before now!

I forgot to take it off on Saturday night, so I'm hoping it was just the lack of break at night that caused it. I left it off all day yesterday, wiped the band down thoroughly, and tried again this morning- it was so uncomfortable by the time I got to work I had to put it on the other wrist. I'm going to see if it starts getting red there too- I may have to try the tape approach. I've also used clear nail polish on stuff in the past (I have had to do it on the buttons on my jeans) but I don't really want to do that to my $500 watch!

I'm hoping it's just something I touched (I'm in the process of moving to a new condo and going through all my stuff).

Anyone else have suggestions on how to avoid contact dermatitis? Besides taking it back that is lol- I LOVE my watch!
 

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I have had my watch since launch day and just this past Sunday, after almost 2 months of daily wear, this happens! (See photo). I'm wondering if the metal on the band could be the culprit because one area is a perfect circle :(. I'm allergic to nickel but you'd think I'd have reacted before now!

I forgot to take it off on Saturday night, so I'm hoping it was just the lack of break at night that caused it. I left it off all day yesterday, wiped the band down thoroughly, and tried again this morning- it was so uncomfortable by the time I got to work I had to put it on the other wrist. I'm going to see if it starts getting red there too- I may have to try the tape approach. I've also used clear nail polish on stuff in the past (I have had to do it on the buttons on my jeans) but I don't really want to do that to my $500 watch!

I'm hoping it's just something I touched (I'm in the process of moving to a new condo and going through all my stuff).

Anyone else have suggestions on how to avoid contact dermatitis? Besides taking it back that is lol- I LOVE my watch!

Allergies are rarely all or nothing. People usually have a specific threshold to trigger it. Given that it happened only after you forgot to take it off one night you probably exceeded your threshold. Give it a rest and you can probably wear it again provided you don't make the mistake of exceeding your threshold.
 
I have had my watch since launch day and just this past Sunday, after almost 2 months of daily wear, this happens! (See photo). I'm wondering if the metal on the band could be the culprit because one area is a perfect circle :(. I'm allergic to nickel but you'd think I'd have reacted before now!

I forgot to take it off on Saturday night, so I'm hoping it was just the lack of break at night that caused it. I left it off all day yesterday, wiped the band down thoroughly, and tried again this morning- it was so uncomfortable by the time I got to work I had to put it on the other wrist. I'm going to see if it starts getting red there too- I may have to try the tape approach. I've also used clear nail polish on stuff in the past (I have had to do it on the buttons on my jeans) but I don't really want to do that to my $500 watch!

I'm hoping it's just something I touched (I'm in the process of moving to a new condo and going through all my stuff).

Anyone else have suggestions on how to avoid contact dermatitis? Besides taking it back that is lol- I LOVE my watch!

Is it possible you got soap or other material under your watch band and did not know it. It can and will cause one heck of a rash. Seeing you wore it for two months and then all of a sudden this . . . . . .
 
Is it possible you got soap or other material under your watch band and did not know it. It can and will cause one heck of a rash. Seeing you wore it for two months and then all of a sudden this . . . . . .

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 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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I think you should contact Apple about it. There's a similar thread somewhere about this happening to someone and they got a stainless steel model!

The space grey is known to have the highest nickel content
 
I think you should contact Apple about it. There's a similar thread somewhere about this happening to someone and they got a stainless steel model!

The space grey is known to have the highest nickel content

I had a rash contacted apple, my claim was upgraded to support. Was told to stop wearing the watch almost 2 weeks ago now. I submitted photos of my rash, marks w.e. Waited a week to hear back. And was told I should wash the watch. Obviously I said I washed/cleaned it daily. Now I'm waiting for the next step. Really annoying wearing something and being told not to and wait.
If you need any apple emails for support I can send them to you.
 
I think you should contact Apple about it. There's a similar thread somewhere about this happening to someone and they got a stainless steel model!

The space grey is known to have the highest nickel content
i remember that, but highly unlikely it will happen to OP, apple isnt going to be giving away this a lot
 
I called Apple before the watch came out because I have a strong nickel allergy. The rep assured me if I called Apple direct with any allergy issues they would work with me to exchange the band or get a refund. I have a regular stainless Watch with the milanese band (talk about rolling the dice!) and I haven't had any rashes whatsoever. That's coming from someone who can't wear a belt with a metal buckle, metal necklaces, cheap watches or earrings for any length of time. Since the back of the sensors area on both kinds of Watches is ceramic and not metal, I'm not sure what is actually giving you a rash.
 
i remember that, but highly unlikely it will happen to OP, apple isnt going to be giving away this a lot
I did contact Apple care and they offered a full refund. Period. So I started thinking that to solve this issue is to cover back (nickel composit) with the ZAGG protective case material. It's pliable when wet and allows for sensors and charge to work. I've worn the watch all day and no rash.
 
I called Apple before the watch came out because I have a strong nickel allergy. The rep assured me if I called Apple direct with any allergy issues they would work with me to exchange the band or get a refund. I have a regular stainless Watch with the milanese band (talk about rolling the dice!) and I haven't had any rashes whatsoever. That's coming from someone who can't wear a belt with a metal buckle, metal necklaces, cheap watches or earrings for any length of time. Since the back of the sensors area on both kinds of Watches is ceramic and not metal, I'm not sure what is actually giving you a rash.
Actually I was told by  care rep the backs are different between sport and stainless steel. SS is ceramic composite and sport is mostly Nickel composit. The band isn't where this rash is. The rash is where the watch sits on my wrist where the sensors are in contact with my skin.
 
Actually I was told by  care rep the backs are different between sport and stainless steel. SS is ceramic composite and sport is mostly Nickel composit. The band isn't where this rash is. The rash is where the watch sits on my wrist where the sensors are in contact with my skin.

ah, didn't know that, sorry. Glad the Zagg helps you because I would hate to have to give up the watch.
 
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I did contact Apple care and they offered a full refund. Period. So I started thinking that to solve this issue is to cover back (nickel composit) with the ZAGG protective case material. It's pliable when wet and allows for sensors and charge to work. I've worn the watch all day and no rash.
i know that, but I'm talking how they gave a free upgrade to another person
 
i know that, but I'm talking how they gave a free upgrade to another person
I asked about that and the  rep said that's not normal with an allergy. I sent pictures and they felt it wasn't as bad as that original persons rash was.
 
I asked about that and the  rep said that's not normal with an allergy. I sent pictures and they felt it wasn't as bad as that original persons rash was.
oh. are you going to buy another apple watch? whats ur opinion?
 
I think you should contact Apple about it. There's a similar thread somewhere about this happening to someone and they got a stainless steel model!

That someone got a defective band that had an abnormal amount of nickel in it so Apple felt compelled to compensate him/her in some way. They're not going to extend this to customers who are merely hypersensitive to normal amounts of nickel.
 
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