Some people are ultra sensitive and there is not much Apple could do. No way to remove everything that anyone could possible be allergic too.
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Metal Allergies?
- Thread starter Baristud
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^This.
If you have a known allergy against whatever you can imagine, you wouldn't necessarily buy, use or consume this product.
Perhaps it did not reach your threshold right away, or you are now sweating more.
The allergy is caused by nickel salts created by reaction to sweat.
Regulations limit the amount that wrist worn jewelry can put out (the EU allows up to 0.5 µg/square cm per week), but your sweat could also be more reactive than the fake test sweat that the limit uses.
It's interesting how widespread nickel allergies are. In the US, it's one in six women, and one in thirty men.
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I note that the OP has an aluminum Sport watch, so the only nickel source should be the metal tab in the Sport band.
But there could be other allergies, perhaps to some manufacturing cleaning material or even the glue, maybe, that seems to come out with heat. That could explain claimed reactions to the monitor pod.
I did the same but the SS was to bright for me. I'm more of a space gray style.I'm nickel sensitive and swapped my sport for the SS as was getting a reaction.
No probs with the SS.
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'm allergic to Nickel, I can't wear most belt buckles (mines plastic) without getting the kind of rash you describe. I've had the the regular (silver) sport model since launch and it has never bothered me. Looking at the link provided it looks like the space grey coating has the nickel, maybe you could try out he regular sport?
Update on my claim
Was told
1.send the watch to apple
2. Wait two weeks for a refund
3. Go back to Apple repurchase with a different band
Aka waste a total of a month and go spend even more money. Way to go apple, been loyal far to long for this crap.
Was told
1.send the watch to apple
2. Wait two weeks for a refund
3. Go back to Apple repurchase with a different band
Aka waste a total of a month and go spend even more money. Way to go apple, been loyal far to long for this crap.
I can empathize with you being frustrated but if Apple is offering a full refund out of the return period, then they are going beyond what is required. Apple can't just say "anyone can return any product for any amount of time for a full refund without questions". You must accept that granting exceptions to established policies requires some time to implement. No one in the chain likes to be the one to authorize a deviation from a set policy.
You are correct. It states that in the user guide at the end of the guide.
I have a solution:
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.
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.
I don't understand how people can be allergic to an inert plastic composite? Perhaps to a chemical coating on it.. did you try washing it with soap and water a few times?
There are always surprises in life I suppose, I guess someone somewhere could be allergic to almost anything.
There are always surprises in life I suppose, I guess someone somewhere could be allergic to almost anything.
Plastic allergy is actually nothing new. People can also be allergic to leather, etc.
You would be shocked at what some super sensitive people are allergic too. It is quite possible.
I know people who are allergic against cereal: no bread, no beer, no nothing. Or allergy against all sorts of fruit.
Not quite right mate. The alloy Apple have used in the sport, specifically the black one, has a nickel content just under the EU regulation. I and others who are particularly sensitive can get a reaction at this level. The SS has a lower content and I am wearing that completely reaction free.
Thanks, you're right, the Space Grey Sport case itself (not just the band stub) has nickel content in its coating.
I really want to know more about these sensor backs, then. I've been confused about the SS's ceramic (similar to what is used in some other watches, maybe?), but I had also assumed that the Sport's back was just plastic with a fancy name.
Now, not only have there been pics in another thread of a circle-shaped rash the size of the sensor back, but you've been told that it's a nickel composite.
This is really interesting to me.
I'd take what Apple reps tell you with a grain of salt. We've gotten tons of misinformation from those so-called "Apple Specialists," including their insisting that the Sport would come with two full sets of bands and that the bands aren't covered under AC+.
I'd like to see evidence (or rather, stated in Apple support page) that the Sport composite back contains nickel. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204665 says nothing about it and why would the space gray Sport, but not silver Sport, contain nickel composite back?
+1
Yeah, I was surprised at the Space Gray too, so I started rummaging around on the net.
From what I can tell, nickel acetate is commonly used for anodizing/hardening, especially if you want a darker color.
Any metal experts reading this? Can you give us more insight as to why only the Space Grey Sport would have nickel in its coating, and not the silver one as well?
I'm not a metal expert, but I'd guess the darker Space Gray color requires the addition of nickel acetate, whereas they found a substitute for nickel for the silver anodized coating. In line with this, the Space Gray stainless steel pin on the Space Gray sport band has higher nickel content (from a combination of added nickel in the Space Gray color and trace amount of nickel inherent in stainless steel) than the silver stainless steel pin.
^^^^ That's good to know. My wife has sensitive skin, too (we call it "expensive" skin, because it means her jewelry can't be cheap ).
).Well yes and no. Nickel is an extremely common allergen.
For some reason, Apple couldn't avoid using high levels of nickel in the Space Gray model. It's not surprising that many people are reacting to it.
According to "most" country's standards, Apple did NOT use high levels of nickel.
They got close to the absolute limit. They may not have crossed the line, but again - reactions are not surprising in this case.
I went through the exact same thing. I am still very unhappy with the level of service i received from apple. I have been a loyal customer for years. I get told the exact same thing oh wash it and keep wearing it. I also got the well return it and give us even more money we will not help you out at all sorry. I was even insulted when i returned it by an employee making like i was trying to angle for some free watch. I even ended up at the Dr for my rash i told apple that and they still told me to go back to wearing it. This all happened in the 14 day return window. I took that thing back I am even considering my options for future technology needs. I loved apple for the products and the service. I mean i can get 90% as good a product with the same level of poor support for 2/3 the cost. If i am going to get poor service at least i can save money and buy some pizza to sooth the pain of tech support.