If you've suffered an allergic reaction to your AW, did you also have a reaction with other watches?
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My Apple Watch caused an allergic reaction & Apple handled it perfectly!
- Thread starter JakeCoupland
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Are you addressing the OP? He's not sensitive to trace amounts of nickel, as he had a different watch with nickel in it and didn't react to it, leading Apple to conclude that the band had an abnormal amount of nickel presumably due to an error in manufacturing. That's why the OP received the nice compensation he got, as opposed to individuals who are hypersensitive to nickel, which is beyond Apple's control.
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I have an apple watch, milanese loop, 42mm. Within a few weeks of starting to wear it (early may 2015), I developed a nasty rash on my wrist right under the watch face. I stopped wearing the watch around June 20th, on advice of Apple Support. Have been in contact with them over last couple of months (phone, email, sent pics), and though they acknowledge the watch is causing the reaction, they have asked me to start wearing it again now that the reaction has cleared up, and to contact them when it comes back.... I just want to return the watch, £600 for a wrist inflammation is not a great consumer proposition, but have been told that's not Apple's policy given that the 14 day period after delivery has elapsed. Anyone had their watch accepted as a return following an allergic reaction like this?
My Space Gray model has started doing the same thing right under the heart rate sensor. Called Apple today, got a quick response from the engineers, and they said that it sounds like a temp problem. Truthfully, I have had the Apple Watch for 5 months (launch day) and this is the first issue I have had with a rash. Only within the last month have I been wearing it more then before because of the fitness tracking. I'm going to let it clear up then try it again. My rash looks identical to yours, just smaller.
#35
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 have been wearing this watch with cover for well over three weeks now on my other wrist as my original wrist clears up. I have zero reaction and the watch charges and takes my health metrics just fine.
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.
Wouldn't that interfere with the heart rate sensors though? One of the primary functions of the watch?
I had a reaction to SGS watch and returned it for the SS, wore the SS for 13 days until I returned it for the SGS back again. No reaction to SS on my opposite wrist.
So are you saying that they both cause you some sort of rash so why have the more expensive one ?
Why go back to the SGS if you had a reaction earlier?
[EDIT] Ah, I went back and saw that you added a piece of screen protector. Cool.[/edit]
Also -- have you suffered a reaction to any other non-Apple watches?
So I thought if I can cover the back where I have a reaction maybe that will solve this issue. Sure did! I didn't know I was even allergic to any metal before this.
So I received my 42mm Space Grey Apple Watch Sport in the first week of May and wore it every day until mid-July, when, after a busy day of not really noticing anything wrong I noticed an itching/burning sensation in my wrist.
I took off the watch and noticed it had caused a massive blister and had somewhat burnt my skin, the rubber strap had reacted with my skin in some way.
Shocked I rang Apple immediately, they answered instantly and the lovely lady at the end of the phone (Irish, as I was calling from the UK) asked what the problem was. I informed her that my watch had caused a rash on my skin and actually exposed raw skin below. Shocked and somewhat speechless, she asked if I didn't mind holding for a minute. True to her word, a minute later she was back and told me that she was transferring me to the safety support team in Cork. They answered and took me through a process of questions...
1) What happened?
2) Did I wear the watch in a different way that day (any tighter etc)?
3) Did it hurt?
4) Did the rash have any yellow mucus?
Along with a few more questions I can't remember! They had obviously seen this before as the questions that followed were very specific. They also asked me to email the photos of my wrist, there are several but I only attached one above! Here's the culprit watch!
The very nice lady then informed me that they were going to go away and assess the information and the photos overnight (I rang at 7pm) and that they'd get back to me the next morning.
Sure to their word, the next day, I got a phone call from the same nice lady. Apple had looked at my information and also the same model in their lab and had come to the conclusion that my watch strap had most likely got a high level of nickel in it, more then there should be as it caused such a bad reaction. They told me that they would like to 'capture' the watch and that they were going to send a 'capture kit' out to me so they could assess my watch. I was absolutely fine with this and was extremely happy with how it had been handled so far, efficiently and apologetically! I understood that on a massive supply chain, things like this unfortunately happen! What happened next however was simply amazing!
The lovely lady informed me that they'd love to get a new watch out to me, but to ensure I didn't have the same problem and to apologise for what had happened, they would love to send me a stainless steel model of my choice (excluding the link bracelet as that also contained nickel)! I was shocked and also over the moon! I chose the milinase loop and was told it would take a week to get to me and that they were so sorry and they'd keep me up to date on the delivery of my new watch and what was happening with the old one (as I was interested!)
I then went away for smooth on an expedition to Malaysia & Borneo to complete volunteer work with endangered animals so just missed the delivery of my new watch! However a month later when I returned, there it was! & here I am wearing it!
I was so impressed by the way apple handled everything, it was so professional and the good will gesture shows how Apple's customer service is second to none! A UK newspaper 'The Sun' contacted me asking if they could use the story and offered me money to do so, I declined this as I knew that a publication like 'The Sun' (anyone from the UK will know this) is not likely to show how well handled this was by Apple and would just make it out to be a horrendous experience, where as if this does come to light here on MacRumours, you guys will mention how well the handled it!
All images used in this post must have my permission to be used before they are published anywhere else. (I don't want certain publications using them if this is found, although unlikely!)
Similar case different outcome . Apple has decided not to help me . I am now out 500$ and apple has directed me not to use the product due to the reaction.
Attachments
Mostly the reaction was occurring from the Sport Band. Although some was from the back of the watch itself. I was going to try to get a case for the watch to slightly raise it off of the skin. Not sure if it will work.
UPDATE - Apple has sent me a FREE replacement Leather Classic Buckle Band.
UPDATE - Apple has sent me a FREE replacement Leather Classic Buckle Band.
[doublepost=1502195476][/doublepost]Hi jake was looking at your post of a couple years ago about skin irritation from the Apple Watch,I have the same issues on a smaller scale,but sadly I live in the U.K. and am struggling to get a resolution,I cannot wear the watch or any length of time without incurring irritation,am I right in assuming that replacing the strap has solved your problemSo I received my 42mm Space Grey Apple Watch Sport in the first week of May and wore it every day until mid-July, when, after a busy day of not really noticing anything wrong I noticed an itching/burning sensation in my wrist.
I took off the watch and noticed it had caused a massive blister and had somewhat burnt my skin, the rubber strap had reacted with my skin in some way.
Shocked I rang Apple immediately, they answered instantly and the lovely lady at the end of the phone (Irish, as I was calling from the UK) asked what the problem was. I informed her that my watch had caused a rash on my skin and actually exposed raw skin below. Shocked and somewhat speechless, she asked if I didn't mind holding for a minute. True to her word, a minute later she was back and told me that she was transferring me to the safety support team in Cork. They answered and took me through a process of questions...
1) What happened?
2) Did I wear the watch in a different way that day (any tighter etc)?
3) Did it hurt?
4) Did the rash have any yellow mucus?
Along with a few more questions I can't remember! They had obviously seen this before as the questions that followed were very specific. They also asked me to email the photos of my wrist, there are several but I only attached one above! Here's the culprit watch!
The very nice lady then informed me that they were going to go away and assess the information and the photos overnight (I rang at 7pm) and that they'd get back to me the next morning.
Sure to their word, the next day, I got a phone call from the same nice lady. Apple had looked at my information and also the same model in their lab and had come to the conclusion that my watch strap had most likely got a high level of nickel in it, more then there should be as it caused such a bad reaction. They told me that they would like to 'capture' the watch and that they were going to send a 'capture kit' out to me so they could assess my watch. I was absolutely fine with this and was extremely happy with how it had been handled so far, efficiently and apologetically! I understood that on a massive supply chain, things like this unfortunately happen! What happened next however was simply amazing!
The lovely lady informed me that they'd love to get a new watch out to me, but to ensure I didn't have the same problem and to apologise for what had happened, they would love to send me a stainless steel model of my choice (excluding the link bracelet as that also contained nickel)! I was shocked and also over the moon! I chose the milinase loop and was told it would take a week to get to me and that they were so sorry and they'd keep me up to date on the delivery of my new watch and what was happening with the old one (as I was interested!)
I then went away for smooth on an expedition to Malaysia & Borneo to complete volunteer work with endangered animals so just missed the delivery of my new watch! However a month later when I returned, there it was! & here I am wearing it!
I was so impressed by the way apple handled everything, it was so professional and the good will gesture shows how Apple's customer service is second to none! A UK newspaper 'The Sun' contacted me asking if they could use the story and offered me money to do so, I declined this as I knew that a publication like 'The Sun' (anyone from the UK will know this) is not likely to show how well handled this was by Apple and would just make it out to be a horrendous experience, where as if this does come to light here on MacRumours, you guys will mention how well the handled it!
All images used in this post must have my permission to be used before they are published anywhere else. (I don't want certain publications using them if this is found, although unlikely!)
[doublepost=1524558728][/doublepost]I´m having the same problem as you, but the way Apple Care is managing my case it´s being quite different.So I received my 42mm Space Grey Apple Watch Sport in the first week of May and wore it every day until mid-July, when, after a busy day of not really noticing anything wrong I noticed an itching/burning sensation in my wrist.
I took off the watch and noticed it had caused a massive blister and had somewhat burnt my skin, the rubber strap had reacted with my skin in some way.
Shocked I rang Apple immediately, they answered instantly and the lovely lady at the end of the phone (Irish, as I was calling from the UK) asked what the problem was. I informed her that my watch had caused a rash on my skin and actually exposed raw skin below. Shocked and somewhat speechless, she asked if I didn't mind holding for a minute. True to her word, a minute later she was back and told me that she was transferring me to the safety support team in Cork. They answered and took me through a process of questions...
1) What happened?
2) Did I wear the watch in a different way that day (any tighter etc)?
3) Did it hurt?
4) Did the rash have any yellow mucus?
Along with a few more questions I can't remember! They had obviously seen this before as the questions that followed were very specific. They also asked me to email the photos of my wrist, there are several but I only attached one above! Here's the culprit watch!
The very nice lady then informed me that they were going to go away and assess the information and the photos overnight (I rang at 7pm) and that they'd get back to me the next morning.
Sure to their word, the next day, I got a phone call from the same nice lady. Apple had looked at my information and also the same model in their lab and had come to the conclusion that my watch strap had most likely got a high level of nickel in it, more then there should be as it caused such a bad reaction. They told me that they would like to 'capture' the watch and that they were going to send a 'capture kit' out to me so they could assess my watch. I was absolutely fine with this and was extremely happy with how it had been handled so far, efficiently and apologetically! I understood that on a massive supply chain, things like this unfortunately happen! What happened next however was simply amazing!
The lovely lady informed me that they'd love to get a new watch out to me, but to ensure I didn't have the same problem and to apologise for what had happened, they would love to send me a stainless steel model of my choice (excluding the link bracelet as that also contained nickel)! I was shocked and also over the moon! I chose the milinase loop and was told it would take a week to get to me and that they were so sorry and they'd keep me up to date on the delivery of my new watch and what was happening with the old one (as I was interested!)
I then went away for smooth on an expedition to Malaysia & Borneo to complete volunteer work with endangered animals so just missed the delivery of my new watch! However a month later when I returned, there it was! & here I am wearing it!
I was so impressed by the way apple handled everything, it was so professional and the good will gesture shows how Apple's customer service is second to none! A UK newspaper 'The Sun' contacted me asking if they could use the story and offered me money to do so, I declined this as I knew that a publication like 'The Sun' (anyone from the UK will know this) is not likely to show how well handled this was by Apple and would just make it out to be a horrendous experience, where as if this does come to light here on MacRumours, you guys will mention how well the handled it!
All images used in this post must have my permission to be used before they are published anywhere else. (I don't want certain publications using them if this is found, although unlikely!)
After one week since I reported my issue, I´ve been asked to complete the same questionnaire as you, then, I was told that they were having "technical problems" and the escalation to a superior team wasn´t successful, Then that the file upload couldn´t be done properly, then I´ve been asked to send pictures, which I did, but after being transfer to another person, they ask me to re-send the pics through a "safe platform". I also did that.
I sent in total 12 pictures of the damage the watch is causing in my skin.
Yesterday, I was called again asking me to send more pictures because the technicians wander if I ware the watch in the place where the picture was taken or I use it where the skin irritation is...
I turned completely furious because this is something that Apple already knows and instead of giving me an efficient solution, as they did with you: replacing the watch for another without the nikkel part, they are trying to gain time, to put under doubt what is happening to me and at this point I´m considering to visit a layer to rise my case.
Does anybody else have this problem? how did Apple respond?
[doublepost=1525146397][/doublepost]You are lucky as I had the same problem and I was asked a ton of questions. Sent 8 pictures 3 times as they wouldn’t receive them. And then in the end I was sent 2 articles on how to clean my watch and how to wear it!!! No help at all !!!!So I received my 42mm Space Grey Apple Watch Sport in the first week of May and wore it every day until mid-July, when, after a busy day of not really noticing anything wrong I noticed an itching/burning sensation in my wrist.
I took off the watch and noticed it had caused a massive blister and had somewhat burnt my skin, the rubber strap had reacted with my skin in some way.
Shocked I rang Apple immediately, they answered instantly and the lovely lady at the end of the phone (Irish, as I was calling from the UK) asked what the problem was. I informed her that my watch had caused a rash on my skin and actually exposed raw skin below. Shocked and somewhat speechless, she asked if I didn't mind holding for a minute. True to her word, a minute later she was back and told me that she was transferring me to the safety support team in Cork. They answered and took me through a process of questions...
1) What happened?
2) Did I wear the watch in a different way that day (any tighter etc)?
3) Did it hurt?
4) Did the rash have any yellow mucus?
Along with a few more questions I can't remember! They had obviously seen this before as the questions that followed were very specific. They also asked me to email the photos of my wrist, there are several but I only attached one above! Here's the culprit watch!
The very nice lady then informed me that they were going to go away and assess the information and the photos overnight (I rang at 7pm) and that they'd get back to me the next morning.
Sure to their word, the next day, I got a phone call from the same nice lady. Apple had looked at my information and also the same model in their lab and had come to the conclusion that my watch strap had most likely got a high level of nickel in it, more then there should be as it caused such a bad reaction. They told me that they would like to 'capture' the watch and that they were going to send a 'capture kit' out to me so they could assess my watch. I was absolutely fine with this and was extremely happy with how it had been handled so far, efficiently and apologetically! I understood that on a massive supply chain, things like this unfortunately happen! What happened next however was simply amazing!
The lovely lady informed me that they'd love to get a new watch out to me, but to ensure I didn't have the same problem and to apologise for what had happened, they would love to send me a stainless steel model of my choice (excluding the link bracelet as that also contained nickel)! I was shocked and also over the moon! I chose the milinase loop and was told it would take a week to get to me and that they were so sorry and they'd keep me up to date on the delivery of my new watch and what was happening with the old one (as I was interested!)
I then went away for smooth on an expedition to Malaysia & Borneo to complete volunteer work with endangered animals so just missed the delivery of my new watch! However a month later when I returned, there it was! & here I am wearing it!
I was so impressed by the way apple handled everything, it was so professional and the good will gesture shows how Apple's customer service is second to none! A UK newspaper 'The Sun' contacted me asking if they could use the story and offered me money to do so, I declined this as I knew that a publication like 'The Sun' (anyone from the UK will know this) is not likely to show how well handled this was by Apple and would just make it out to be a horrendous experience, where as if this does come to light here on MacRumours, you guys will mention how well the handled it!
All images used in this post must have my permission to be used before they are published anywhere else. (I don't want certain publications using them if this is found, although unlikely!)
Well, I am one who is usually the Doubting Thomas on these things as I never have any of the issues. But, I started to get a rash from my SS0 I am borrowing/testing from my son. So, luckily no money invested yet. It is faint in the pic below. You can see it is under the outside circle of the watch and you can see the shape of the watch on my arm. I wear it snug to keep from sliding down arm while doing things that have the arm moving. Gonna keep it off a few days. Not gonna let it get worse. Too bad as I was wanting to see the features on the upcoming S4 LTE then decide on it or a SS3 LTE. Major heart issues and really wanted to enroll in some of the studies. Maybe with Apple aware of this they will make a change in the base. I thought the back on the SS's were ceramic. Guess I mis-read that, since people are attributing this to the Nickel. The pic is from my iPhone X and I am viewing it on my rMBP. So, not sure if everyone will see the rash and watch outline clearly.
Attachments
Thanks, will stop wearing it when washing hands. Although I don't think any soap goes that high up arm. Gonna stop using my Eyeglass Wipes on sensors also. Maybe something in them could be an issue. Use Zeiss wipes. I think that would evaporate before it could cause a problem. Very minor rash, doesn't itch or anything.
That sounds excessive methinks. Just rinse the case with bodytemp water and rub off any accumulated gunk, then wipe dry with a clean cloth.
No chemicals needed; also, Apple actively discourages that as solvents (as found in wet wipes) could attack the seals (read: glue) which holds the thing together...
