My Apple Watch Series 6 Band burned me?

[Knowlege Bomb]

In normal circumstances I would agree with the "if you have adverse reactions, stay away" thing, but this seems to be a little more widespread than a simple allergy. I've yet to find anything to which I'm allergic (I'm 37) yet I had a similar reaction with the solo loop I received with my watch this year. As with others, I've had several watches over the years starting with the S1 and have never had a reaction to any band I've tried.

Having said all of that, I've still yet to hear anything back from Apple on this.

 

[skybishop]

Seem to have quite a burn from my series 6 with the blue magnetic strap and 44mm case. Pretty darn shocking, will absolutely be calling customer support tomorrow..

 

[harriska2]

Can you turn off the BloodOx feature on the 6? I dunno because I got the SE. My old Garmin Fenix 6X had this feature and it could be turned off. The reason I suggest trying it is because on the Garmin at least the BloodOx used a different set of LEDs Green rather than red at a higher power. This also cause tons of battery drain.

That said, I had a similar issue with my Series 0 watch. That one had a plastic sensor housing, so I traded it in for a stainless model with the ceramic sensor housing. Never had issues again. I DO get similar rashes to yours when I wear my old-school watches too-tight for too long and moisture builds up underneath...causing a rash.

Just some thoughts


I also have sensitive skin. For me the sport loop band (the velcro one) has been the best. For metal bands, I've had best luck with untreated titanium. Many steel bands give me nickel allergies. I can't wear my wedding ring for the same reason, the while-gold mix my ring is made of somehow gives me bad allergies. Either that or I'm allergic to marriage.

My husband and I got plain $50 titanium rings. No issues and he even does machining.

 

[SisterBlue22]

Seem to have quite a burn from my series 6 with the blue magnetic strap and 44mm case. Pretty darn shocking, will absolutely be calling customer support tomorrow.. View attachment 1697329

It's likely contact dermatitis, not a burn. Your skin is sensitive to something in the band.

 

[mguzzi]

I wanted to update everyone - so I got a Cyprus Green Apple Watch Sport band and didn't have any issues after my wrist had healed. So I then decided to buy another Surf Blue Sport band from Best Buy and return the one that gave me a rash to Amazon. I haven't had any issues with either band so maybe the Surf Blue band from Amazon was counterfeit or had an issue.

 

[MJ22]

Call me crazy but I don’t think it’s Apple’s fault that certain people have sensitivities to different dyes or materials. I wouldn’t have even called Apple, I’d call my skin doctor and move on with life. I have psoriasis and can’t use certain types of lotions. If I choose one that ends up bothering me, it’s my fault, not the manufacturer.

I’m also an attorney and I don’t think this would be a successful lawsuit in any way shape or form. There are millions of people who have no problem with this band.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Seem to have quite a burn from my series 6 with the blue magnetic strap and 44mm case. Pretty darn shocking, will absolutely be calling customer support tomorrow.. View attachment 1697329

That is how my wrist would look after long hours with the Solo band. It’s not a burn. Your skin is reacting to the band (for some reason). You should stop using the band.

Since I switched to the Braided Solo loop, I haven’t had any problems.

 

[jaybar]

I wanted to update everyone - so I got a Cyprus Green Apple Watch Sport band and didn't have any issues after my wrist had healed. So I then decided to buy another Surf Blue Sport band from Best Buy and return the one that gave me a rash to Amazon. I haven't had any issues with either band so maybe the Surf Blue band from Amazon was counterfeit or had an issue.

Trying to apply logic can be frustrating around these issues. It can also be simply that something in your body changed. Even temporarily that would cause a reaction. You could even repurchase the same band from Apple and have no issues. Logic sometimes goes out the window.

 

[Closingracer]

On an unrelated note. I'm a bit surprised to read about someone on MacRumors who doesn't have insurance. I'd have assumed that most folks who have the cash to buy an iPhone + Apple Watch would have insurance. Probably a wrong assumption, and I realize there are tons of Americans without insurance for a plethora of reasons outside of their control. I obviously don't know your situation, but I know some of my acquaintances simply weren't aware of all of their options.

When I worked as a freelance consultant after college/grad-school, I joined a local small business association here in Ohio. That gave me access to super-low cost insurance via their group rate. I learned quickly that even though I was young, medical insurance saved me from a potential financial disaster. In my case I got Lyme disease after geocaching.

Long story short, if your employer doesn't provide insurance, or you are self-insured... don't assume there aren't decent options out there for you. There may be many, and a simple illness can ruin you.. so it is worth the monthly cost.

Googled below. Keep in mind through group rates like I mentioned you may be able to do better.

Cheap Health Insurance: Find Low-Cost 2023 Plans

The cheapest health insurance is a Bronze plan from Kaiser Permanente, costing $343 per month at full price. But rates could be $30 or less after income-based discounts.

www.valuepenguin.com

Ummm I didn’t have health insurance until recently and I have owned iPhone and watch for years.

 

[ryuworks]

Just saw this thread. Just wanted to mention that quite a number have been reporting issues with some of this year's sport bands, both fit and construction. Having suspicious materials added in by a new supplier is definitely possible, and since there are multiple suppliers not all copies of the same band will give you the same result, assuming that one new supplier is behind the nonsense. Maybe seek out bands from previous years if you are worried. The solo loops are silicon, not the fluoroelastomer of the sport bands, so there is a higher chance of skin allergies. Plus Apple applies an "UV coating" on the solo loops.

Also, I think washing the non-leather bands before using them for the first time is good advice, as there have always been ongoing reports of some ****** Apple suppliers switching out expensive cleaning solutions for cheaper, problematic ones to clean products before they are boxed.

Terrible Apple Watch Sport Band Quality from this year...

hey guys not sure if you've realised it same as me.. As a long time watch band collector, i'm really annoyed by their QC since this year.. Usually watch bands fit well into the slot on the watch but i've been having issues on the inconsistent thickness now.. Example: Surf Blue (earlier this...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Drgiggles]

Seem to have quite a burn from my series 6 with the blue magnetic strap and 44mm case. Pretty darn shocking, will absolutely be calling customer support tomorrow.. this picture is day 3 of hydrocortisone cream treatment otc View attachment 1697329

Same thing happened to me. Zero issues with Apple Watch series 5 band.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Same thing happened to me. Zero issues with Apple Watch series 5 band.

I had this same thing happen to me with my first Apple Watch (series 3) - when I got a knockoff band from Amazon. Caused a red rash (like your pic) that burned like fire for days. At the time I attributed it to a 3rd party band that was super cheap on Amazon.

 

[cartman2478]

My Apple Watch Series 6 gave me a severe 2nd Degree Burn during sleep tracking. I’ve posted pictures of the burn and my dead burned off skin on the back of the watch. I’m currently dealing with Apple Support and getting the runaround. Originally I was told I would receive a response in 4 hours. That was on 12/22. Still haven’t heard back. I was told the “Senior Engineers“ are working on it. Very disappointed.

 

[Drgiggles]

I had this same thing happen to me with my first Apple Watch (series 3) - when I got a knockoff band from Amazon. Caused a red rash (like your pic) that burned like fire for days. At the time I attributed it to a 3rd party band that was super cheap on Amazon.

The band was the included one in the box sent direct from manufacture (apple via China ).

 

[Drgiggles]

I had this same thing happen to me with my first Apple Watch (series 3) - when I got a knockoff band from Amazon. Caused a red rash (like your pic) that burned like fire for days. At the time I attributed it to a 3rd party band that was super cheap on Amazon.

The band was the included one in the box sent direct from manufacture (apple via China ).

 

[yoshidervish]

Here is a wild idea. Keep it clean. The series 6 looks gross.

 

[cartman2478]

Here is a wild idea. Keep it clean. The series 6 looks gross.

You understand that what’s on the back of my watch is actually my burnt off skin right? The watch overheated during sleep tracking and literally burnt off my ****ing skin. It was clean until my watch malfunctioned and seared into my skin and caused a 2nd degree burn. I had the peel the god damn thing off my wrist! That‘s really wild isn’t it?

 

[kecinzer]

I stopped using my Watch during sleep and my skin back to normal finally. Obviously my skin need wearing break for 1/3 of day.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I can't wear a ring cuz of stuff like this. I've tried 3 different metal types and even the silicon rings. I put on a ring and my finger puffs up like it gets infected and burns. Funny enough, I have no problem with Apple Watches - though I have to keep the underside clean or I get the same thing. I have to run my fingernail around the sensor to keep grime or whatever from collecting otherwise my wrist puffs up.

I think it has something to do with breathing - I have to wear my watch loose enough so it can breathe - otherwise puffs up.

Interesting.

 

[Nezarynew]

*horror movie shriek*

That's crazy. Mine never got that bad but I did see it increase in severity as time went. I did take the time to reach out to Apple and had a case number and a Senior Advisor assigned that has since ghosted me. So I've basically just resigned to staying away from the band causing the burns (deep navy solo loop) and moving on with my life.

IKR? 😱. Well, shoot! I’m still holding out hope for a solution, haha! I haven’t been wearing it for a while now, hoping maybe it’ll be tolerable again if I leave it off for a month or so...

 

[ChineseBarbie]

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

David,
I‘m thinking “boundaries”.

Apple had their business interests, safety issues about their products in the boundary of their backyard, so to speak. Apple was taking care of its own backyard by asking you not to see a doctor. My guess is that Apple wanted to see what their legal, safety & design departments wanted to suggest.

Your boundary is the well being of your person (body, soul and spirit.

You may not have meant to, but I think you may have put taking care of apple’s backyard over your own backyard by going to Apple 1st. Please know that I’m not meaning to give any condemnation. If you take care of yourself 1st, then you can continue to take care of others as you choose. (There are time sensitive urgent matters, where you might choose to intentionally set aside taking of yourself 1st).

I hope that since your original post, that you have seen a dermatologist.

 

[ChineseBarbie]

Careful with this suggestion. I’m not a lawyer/attorney, but from what I’ve read and heard about this, you can end up in a bad legal position if you record conversations without informing the other party and getting their consent prior.

@Zethiah That is indeed an unacceptable response from Apple support, and I say such as a person with high patience and plenty of sympathy for those in the support, service positions.

Possible. That differs from state to state. Some states say the consent of one party is enough. Other states want you to get the consent of both parties.

 

[jaybar]

This keeps coming up. Watch bands don’t burn you, unless they catch fire. Failing that, I see this as an allergic reaction issue and I don’t know what an appropriate response from Apple should be.

 

[SisterBlue22]

This keeps coming up. Watch bands don’t burn you, unless they catch fire.

Well, there is such a thing as a chemical burn, and that doesn't involve fire, but I agree, this is more an allergy reaction than actual burns.

 

[jaybar]

I see this as an allergy. Plain and simple. The persons body is reacting to some aspect of the watch. Rather than this going on, have they considered a dermatologist or allergy doctor?