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

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)."




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

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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.
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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.


Have you experienced any irritation while wearing your Apple Watch?

Let us know in the comments!

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