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Apple Watch Causes Skin Irritation, Allergic Reactions for Some Users [Photos]

Apple Watch Causes Skin Irritation, Allergic Reactions for Some Users [Photos]

Posted May 2, 2015 at 5:06pm by iClarified
The Apple Watch is causing skin irritation, possibly due to an allergic reaction, for a few customers, reports the Italian site iSpazio. The news isn't particularly surprising, considering there are some people allergic to the materials the various bands are made out of.

For example, reddit user maserrano reported contact dermatitis due to the fluoroelastomer band/sport watch a few days ago:

"Has anyone else suffered skin irritation because of the band/watch? I don't wear mine too tightly, and I make sure it doesn't stay wet in there after workouts, but I'm definitely dealing with an allergic reaction of some kind. I just got off of the phone with an Apple rep, who took information from me for about 20 minutes, including photos of the irritation and a medical history (all of this voluntary, at least partially for research purposes)."


Apple Watch Causes Skin Irritation, Allergic Reactions for Some Users [Photos]

Notably, Apple has already addressed the fact that some users may be sensitive to material it uses.

---
For people who are sensitive to certain materials.
A great deal of care and research go into choosing materials for all our devices. In addition to ensuring that all materials adhere to existing regulations, we developed our own specification for Apple Watch that goes beyond those requirements. In fact, every material that touches your skin has gone through extensive evaluation in accordance with our specification.

This includes:
● Thousands of material composition tests
● More than a thousand prototypes worn for trial studies
● Hundreds of toxicological assessments
● Consultations with board-certified dermatologists


A small number of people will experience reactions to certain materials. This can be due to allergies, environmental factors, extended exposure to irritants like soap or sweat, and other causes. If you know you have allergies or other sensitivities, be aware that Apple Watch and some of its bands contain the following materials:

Nickel. Apple Watch, the space gray Apple Watch Sport, the stainless steel portions of some Apple Watch bands, and the magnets in the watch and bands contain some nickel. However, they all fall below the strict nickel restrictions set by European REACh regulation. Therefore, while nickel exposure is unlikely to be a problem, you should be aware of the possibility in case you're susceptible to nickel-related reactions.

Methacrylates. The Apple Watch case, the Milanese Loop, the Modern Buckle, and the Leather Loop contain trace amounts of methacrylates from adhesives. Methacrylates are found in many consumer products that come in contact with the skin, such as adhesive bandages. Some people may be sensitive to them, or may develop sensitivities over time. Apple Watch and its bands are designed so that parts containing methacrylates are not in direct contact with your skin.
---

If you are experiencing some type of irritation, you may be wearing your band too tightly or loosely. An overly tight band can cause irritation and a loose band can cause rubbing. Apple warns that if you experience irritation that you should consult a physician before putting the band back on.
Apple Watch Causes Skin Irritation, Allergic Reactions for Some Users [Photos]

Have you experienced any irritation while wearing your Apple Watch?

Let us know in the comments!

You can follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.

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Apple Watch Causes Skin Irritation, Allergic Reactions for Some Users [Photos]
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Comments (39)
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Noemi Montalvo
Noemi Montalvo - January 24, 2017 at 1:37am
I developed a rash and broken skin in the area where the face of the watch touch the skin. The area in which the watch is charged. This happened the first day I wore my watch.
Dee How
Dee How - September 27, 2016 at 8:09pm
Really upset. Allergic reaction getting worse
drewD
drewD - May 21, 2015 at 1:42am
7 mins with the watch on a rash developed. INFLAMMATION and serious PAIN! Tried the other arm and exactly the same thing happened
Make dollars
Make dollars - May 4, 2015 at 8:12pm
Its Classic sweat n heat rashes... Haspens when you dont clean and dry your skin after workouts n simmililar...u guys really need to take care OF your hygenic.. !!! IT can develop to severe fungus IF you dont clean and dry properly... Damn
icar
icar - May 4, 2015 at 2:14pm
wear $5 watch then, u ppl just want spread bad about apple
Had it with apple
Had it with apple - May 4, 2015 at 1:51am
It happened to me and I just did the rational thing to do, throw it in the garbage, no more apple anything for me. Had t with apple, evwrything brakes too easy or just not right out of the box.
gamerscul9870
gamerscul9870 - May 4, 2015 at 1:59am
It didn't happen to me because I take care of my skin that well even for a healthy guy, so here's what I do with the watch, wash is like pure material. No more junk from Fitbit and s(hit) gear. Had it with you! Every Apple product breaks for you because it's rushed even opening it up like it's a Christmas gift.
STart3r
STart3r - May 3, 2015 at 8:34pm
This appears to be the exact issue Fitbit had with their Force device. They ended up recalling the device... http://www.fitbit.com/forcesupport Looking at the Fitbit article, mentions the same issues, small traces of Nickel in the steel case and Metacrylites (used in the adhesive during manufacturing process)
AoS_HJ
AoS_HJ - May 3, 2015 at 6:26pm
Shocking news!!!! Some people are allergic to certain materials!! This could be a headline from the Daily Mash!
gamerscul9870
gamerscul9870 - May 3, 2015 at 3:07pm
I leave it charging after sleep anyway.
Toxicdumparea
Toxicdumparea - May 3, 2015 at 1:57pm
RECALL!!! RECALL!! Before someone get anaphylactic shock or severe reaction!!
Zanka
Zanka - May 3, 2015 at 5:03pm
Over react much
REN
REN - May 3, 2015 at 1:51pm
Apple advising this people to see a Physician before wearing back watch. They should returned the crappy toxic watch and asked for compensation.
1
iGiveUp
iGiveUp - May 3, 2015 at 10:05am
NOT Even a story... :( FFS Let us know about the iWatch 2 with a magical non contact attachment!! Or grown from stem-cells of the owner! For those who have an allergy issue use the new 'iAnus Taptic' iPhone option, 3d vibration give the ultimate feedback for easy navigation and a series of pulses to give you morse code messages. With the new patented 'iClench' control method with over a hundred sensitivity levels its easy to select the best iPoop Apps..... Come on seriously this is a STORY!!
gamerscul9870
gamerscul9870 - May 3, 2015 at 1:16pm
Not even helping! What does a contract have to do with a watch? It's not a shrunken smartphone on a wrist. For those who allergic, it's narrowed down to which watch has material that won't affect them with the updated 'iBlood Taptic'. The feedback here is to be accurate if heart rate and gestures for sit, stand, walk without th the iTrain method with over ways to burn fat and stay like your younger self with the exception of the iPerk Apps. That's an accurate start with watch relative things compared to body parts as a name for the watch.
matrixmaniac
matrixmaniac - May 3, 2015 at 7:22am
The next big innovation that Apple was expected to deliver was a watch that magically heals all allergies of the world. Ideally allergies that some samsung pilgrims have against Apple as well. Most unfortunately Apple failed this time.
JAna
JAna - May 3, 2015 at 5:52am
Just keep the skin DRY. I had similar reaction under my ring because of washing dishes and being too lazy to take the ring off. Just because the band is plastic and the watch is water proof, it doesn't mean you should leave the skin wet/sweaty underneath.
REN
REN - May 3, 2015 at 1:54pm
You're wearing it wrong! Keep your skin dry by putting the crappy toxic watch inside your pocket all the time and wear non latex gloves when holding it! Problem Solved! --- APPLE
iCikibum
iCikibum - May 3, 2015 at 2:08am
i can not wear iron/stainless steel aloy watch..... then i had to chose betwen buy the gold or the alumunium...... well GOLD it is\
1
Crock
Crock - May 2, 2015 at 9:35pm
Picture on right is from wearing EXTREMELY tight. Picture on left looks was made purposely by some type of vacuum part cause no wrist band will make circles.
Guy
Guy - May 2, 2015 at 9:20pm
I don't have seem to have an allergic reaction, but then again.. I don't have an Apple Watch
Natkins
Natkins - May 3, 2015 at 4:11am
I am having the same reaction as the 1st set of pictures! It started as a circle where the nickel on the back is and has now given me a rash around the entire sides and bottom of my wrist. I tried washing it to apples instructions and wore it looser on my other wrist and had the same reaction.
Ott
Ott - May 2, 2015 at 8:48pm
It's up to each & everyone to verify they're not allergic to a product before wearing it, nothing Apple could be blamed for here.
MacGeeks
MacGeeks - May 2, 2015 at 8:20pm
Okay, I know for a fact that second set of photos is from not wiping the sweat/water off between using the watch. I experienced the same affects (dry, red, flaking skin) with FitBit and the Moto 360 It goes away after two weeks of making sure you wipe off your skin after workouts and showers and putting some triple antibiotic cream on it. . People really should consider getting an allergy test against all types of metal. It saves you from a lot of problems in the future.
Anonymous
Anonymous - May 2, 2015 at 8:15pm
Allergy gate!
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