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Zethiah

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 16, 2020
17
22
Hi all,

I’ve been having an issue with my new Apple Watch Series 6, and a friend recommended that I post about it on here. I’m curious to know if anyone else is experiencing the same thing, and if so, how Apple Support handled your case.

Basically, my Red Apple Sport Band burned my skin.

I’ve worn Apple Watches for about 4 years now and never had this issue. I’ve had the Series 2, Series 4, and now the Series 6. I also have several official Apple Sport bands in my collection. I have never had this issue with any other band before.

On September 18, I purchased the Product RED Apple Watch Series 6, 44mm, from Best Buy. I would take it off for a few hours in the evening to charge it, and then put it back on before bed to see how it would track my sleep.

On October 1, I woke up to burning, stinging, itchy pain, and found out it was due to the sport band. I removed my watch and have not worn it since.

On October 10, I contacted Apple Support because I noticed the irritation was not going away. I spoke with a senior advisor and he asked me a long list of questions regarding my health and usage of the watch. I was asked to provide pictures, and when he saw them he said this was not normal. I was told to pick a Sport Loop band from the Apple Store, and call back on Wednesday to let him know which one I wanted.

On October 14 (Wednesday), I called back and was transferred to a different senior advisor who said my case was “under investigation” by the engineering team and he would call me Wednesday night with “an answer”. I was told not to see a physician until Apple had fully reviewed my case and reached out to me. I found this extremely strange. I never received a call back from him.

Today, October 16, I called again and was transferred to yet another senior advisor. He told me that the investigation team asked for “5 business days” starting on 10/10/20, before they could give me an answer. He also stated that it was documented in their system that they called me and e-mailed me on 10/14/20. I never received a call, and I have no e-mails from them that day either. Today is also that “5th business day” and he still couldn’t tell me anything.

I know in the past, people have reported skin rashes/ irritation due to the watch casing, the band, and even the nickel or stainless steel clasp. I guess I never thought I would have a problem because I’ve been wearing Sport Loop bands for 4 years already. I am so frustrated with Apple Support and feel they have handled this case so poorly. I’m not exactly sure what to do at this point, but my rash/burn is starting to look like the beginnings of a scar.

I also made a video to document my experience:

Has anyone else had this issue? Did Apple Support do anything for you? Does anyone have any advice on this?

Thanks y’all,
David
 

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I have to say your documentation for this issue is excellent. I didn't watch your video, but your description is very well written. However, Apple has no right to advise you to not seek medical care, and I find it very odd that they told you that. I hope they will handle your case with the care it deserves and that you get the best outcome. Please go see a doctor though for help with the issue.
 
As a follow-up, even Apple advises to seek medical care for watch band skin irritation:

"Another potential cause of discomfort is wearing your Apple Watch too tightly or loosely. An overly tight band can cause skin irritation. A band that’s too loose can cause rubbing. If you experience redness, swelling, itchiness, or any other irritation, you may want to consult your physician before you put your Apple Watch back on." [emphasis mine]

 
Apple should have NEVER told you not to see a Doctor!!! Tell them you are contacting a lawyer!
You should have seen a Dermatologist right away. If the band has an odor then it is likely "off gassing” volatile compounds similar to memory foam pillows. Since this has been on MacRumors, they should be calling you every damn day!

My wife had skin issues with a metal band I purchased for her fitbit. She went through hell for months with her skin breaking out all over.
 
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something is wrong with the band - did you try cleaning it with soap or dish soap?
Why not put a band on from your old watch and wear it on the other arm?
I haven’t cleaned it since I took it off in case I needed to take the band somewhere to test it or something. And I do have some old bands I could use, but I really dislike wearing my watches on my right wrist lol.
 
Hopefully you hear something soon, but I would ignore their advice and go see a doctor to try and diagnose what actually happened to your skin. I wonder if they are hoping it clears up before they get back to you and you drop the issue.
I was thinking the same thing. I’m going to call my old primary care on Monday to see when would be the soonest they can see me.
 
As a follow-up, even Apple advises to seek medical care for watch band skin irritation:

"Another potential cause of discomfort is wearing your Apple Watch too tightly or loosely. An overly tight band can cause skin irritation. A band that’s too loose can cause rubbing. If you experience redness, swelling, itchiness, or any other irritation, you may want to consult your physician before you put your Apple Watch back on." [emphasis mine]

Thanks for your replies, I have seen that page on their website. I found it very strange that they would tell me over the phone to not go see a doctor. The first senior advisor I spoke with asked for pictures of me wearing the watch to gauge if it was ”too tight” or just right, and it looked fine to him. He did tell me that my issue has been quite common with other apple watch wearers, but I don’t know if he was supposed to mention that to me. At this point, I just don’t want it to scar.
 
Apple should have NEVER told you not to see a Doctor!!! Tell them you are contacting a lawyer!
You should have seen a Dermatologist right away. If the band has an odor then it is likely "off gassing” volatile compounds similar to memory foam pillows. Since this has been on MacRumors, they should be calling you every damn day!

My wife had skin issues with a metal band I purchased for her fitbit. She went through hell for months with her skin breaking out all over.
My roommate was telling me to seek legal counsel. I’ve never had to do that, but depending on the call tomorrow, I just might. It honestly feels like their senior advisors are just trying to pass the buck to the next guy and I’ve had just about enough. I should have seen a Dermatologist, but I was just hoping it was a fluke or something and hoped it would clear up sooner.

Sorry to hear about your wife’s issues with the fitbit. I’ve never had any skin issues, but now I can empathize with those that do. If you don’t mind my asking, did she have to get treated for it? I ask because the only thing I can think of putting on my rash/burn is coconut oil.
 
Thanks for your replies, I have seen that page on their website. I found it very strange that they would tell me over the phone to not go see a doctor. The first senior advisor I spoke with asked for pictures of me wearing the watch to gauge if it was ”too tight” or just right, and it looked fine to him. He did tell me that my issue has been quite common with other apple watch wearers, but I don’t know if he was supposed to mention that to me. At this point, I just don’t want it to scar.
Did you happen to record his comment?
 
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Did you happen to record his comment?
Unfortunately I did not. It was my first time speaking with Apple Support about it and it was over the phone, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I remember his name was Mitch, though. I’ve asked for him several times (like he told me to do), but apparently they can never get a hold of him.
 
  • Wow
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Unfortunately I did not. It was my first time speaking with Apple Support about it and it was over the phone, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I remember his name was Mitch, though. I’ve asked for him several times (like he told me to do), but apparently they can never get a hold of him.
Ah...the poor bugger has been “relieved of his duties” already.
 
Ah...the poor bugger has been “relieved of his duties” already.
I suppose that’s possible lol. He did get my e-mail address wrong three times during that call and he couldn’t understand why I wasn’t receiving his e-mails. :rolleyes:
 
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Oh my!
Yes, go see a doctor.Without insurance that’s hard, totally get it. But you don’t want a scar. Not cool Apple. That guy should have never told you that. Hope you got his name.
 
My roommate was telling me to seek legal counsel. I’ve never had to do that, but depending on the call tomorrow, I just might.

This is a weird experience and I'm sorry it happened to you, and I'd want some answers as well to understand it better. But I don't see the point of an attorney, honestly. It's not like Apple is giving you the runaround on purpose. Phone advisors are just people, it's a weird case, and nobody probably knows what to do with it. Besides, what are you expecting them to do? Replace the band, obviously, which they've already offered. And then what? Suing would take forever to resolve and would't gain you anything. Get yourself treated, see if the doctor has any theories besides "you had some kind of reaction", replace the band, and if Apple has more to offer, great; if not, you've moved on.
 
This is a weird experience and I'm sorry it happened to you, and I'd want some answers as well to understand it better. But I don't see the point of an attorney, honestly. It's not like Apple is giving you the runaround on purpose. Phone advisors are just people, it's a weird case, and nobody probably knows what to do with it. Besides, what are you expecting them to do? Replace the band, obviously, which they've already offered. And then what? Suing would take forever to resolve and would't gain you anything. Get yourself treated, see if the doctor has any theories besides "you had some kind of reaction", replace the band, and if Apple has more to offer, great; if not, you've moved on.
Yep a medical visit makes sense. Who knows what the doc may find or say.
 
Hi there, sorry you are having issues with the band. I have a very similar experience with a standard sport band (white) using 44mm Series 4 AW. I never had issues with the old black sport band I have but this, this is something else. I normally wear my watch on the left wrist, but for the past week I have been wearing it on my right one (not very comfortable and I think I put a pretty long scratch on it as a result). Unfortunately it seems I haven’t taken a picture of it (I thought I had) but at it’s worst, it was this big dark red circle that was starting to burn to an extent it was uncomfortable to wash my hands with a tad bit of warmer water. I am thinking now I should have definitely documented this as I’ve seen another fairly similar post on MacRumors recently. Not sure if they changed something about their manufacturing process on all sport bands recently, but this doesn’t seem normal
 
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Reactions: gabino1962
Hi there, sorry you are having issues with the band. I have a very similar experience with a standard sport band (white) using 44mm Series 4 AW. I never had issues with the old black sport band I have but this, this is something else. I normally wear my watch on the left wrist, but for the past week I have been wearing it on my right one (not very comfortable and I think I put a pretty long scratch on it as a result). Unfortunately it seems I haven’t taken a picture of it (I thought I had) but at it’s worst, it was this big dark red circle that was starting to burn to an extent it was uncomfortable to wash my hands with a tad bit of warmer water. I am thinking now I should have definitely documented this as I’ve seen another fairly similar post on MacRumors recently. Not sure if they changed something about their manufacturing process on all sport bands recently, but this doesn’t seem normal

This is what my wrist looks like after about a week of not wearing it:

image.jpg
Got a feeling it might be permanent..
 
This is what my wrist looks like after about a week of not wearing it:

View attachment 967885
Got a feeling it might be permanent..

Physician speaking here. Looks like dermatitis as a consequence of an allergic reaction. It should resolve completely, even though it can take quite some time. These kinds of reactions are not uncommon, you should see a dermatologist asap, just to make sure. Unbelievable, anyone from a tech company explicitely told you, not to seek medical attention.
 
Physician speaking here. Looks like dermatitis as a consequence of an allergic reaction. It should resolve completely, even though it can take quite some time. These kinds of reactions are not uncommon, you should see a dermatologist asap, just to make sure. Unbelievable, anyone from a tech company explicitely told you, not to seek medical attention.

Thanks for the information! Just to be clear, I am not the OP, but had a similar experience recently, hence posting just to bring awareness that it may well not be an isolated case.
 
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