Also just… clean it. I clean mine as part of my nightly routine, I waterproof the watch, detach it from the straps, and clean the underside a little bit, and then rinse the straps and use some hand soap. Makes my skin feel a lot better.
i'm also obsessed w cleaning technological devices but that sounds like too much work, instead of doing all that i just get a window cleaner spray thingy and use that and wipe it off with a dry towel, much less time consuming than soap and water
Y’all over doing it, just push the watch up your wrist a bit wash where the watch sits and slide it back and forth through the soapy foam. Rinse and be done. >.>
@@imoffendedthatyouareoffended Ahh I probably shoulda mentioned that I have eczema so I need to be careful or else the watch gets gross, and irritates my skin. It’s only a minute or two at most though, it’s basically part of my daily routine.
I almost never take off my watch. I wear it loose at home with a silicone strap, i don't care about the heart rate accuracy, it's should figure it out after costing that much. Tighten a bit so it doesn't move all over the place when i go out. I don't understand the stupidity of following their advice to tighten up to get more reliable results.
@@jasonMB999loool what are u talking about it can’t just figure it out it has to actually touch your skin lol the green laser has to be touching your skin for it to get an accurate reading otherwise it dosnt even know your wearing it lool that’s why ppl keep saying it needs to be tight on your wrist 😅
Not a problem on my current watch, but my previous one would do the skin irritation. I solved it by alternating having the watch on the top and bottom of the wrist.
As a landscaper who wears an Apple Watch with the silicon band, I noticed the band really gets crusty with dried sweat and dirt so you should also wash the band and wipe down the bottom of the watch too. I always do this at the end of the day and never had any irritation or rashes.
It’s sort of funny that we need a DOCTOR to tell us that we need to do to lose the Apple Watch rashes when we ourselves could just loosen the strap and wash it daily.
When I was in 8th grade, my parents gifted me an Apple Watch with a silicone band. I wore it constantly, and started getting these exact symptoms. In high school, a friend asked me why I wear it so tightly, to which I replied: “I do lots of auto projects, so I don’t want it falling into an oil pan or something.” While I was in NYC I stopped by the Apple Store and bought myself a fabric watch strap, and the irritation disappeared. Listen to your friends. If they experience what you have, they might save you some pain.
I wear a Fitbit, I already have dermatitis and it was really irritating my skin. I changed from a silicone strap to a stretchy fabric strap and it's so much better
That's good to know because I had a rash from silicone ones and had to take such a long break wearing it because I honestly didn't know there were cloth options
I literally can't imagine *not* taking off my watch after working out. Why would you do that to yourself? Wash your arms and your watch separately, good lord.
The strap with the holes is my fave I can’t stand fabric. Got a rash with my first watch with a flat band, but been fine since I got the nike watch (which has the band with holes in it). Thanks Dr. Mike!
I used to get rashes from my Fitbit. A couple more tips I’ve just picked up from experience: 1. Move the watch up or down your arm every time you feel it sticking a lot to leave that part of your skin completely exposed to air. I cycle between two spots on my arm so I never have it in one spot for two long. 2. Pad your arm dry in the area your watch touches if it feels moist, I just use part of my shirt, it makes a big difference. 3. Keep in mind that skin has to shed constantly, so regularly cleaning the watch is really important, I clean it when I take it off to take a shower, this was particularly a problem to me as I have pretty bad dust mite allergies and they love dead skin. I still use the silicone bands but don’t get rashes anymore.
@@gabbysteel rubbing alcohol would be best but honestly I usually just use a little bit of water and a tissue/part of my shirt. As long as you don’t submerge it in water for a long time it’ll be fine, they’re built to take on a little sweat. Make sure to take off the straps and clean where they connect as well since dirt can get trapped in there. :)
@@escaramujo it’s not as much as it sounds really, I do most of this stuff completely mindlessly. Even if it is a lot it’s worth it to me to track my heart-rate, activity, and sleep patterns as I have health issues.
I have this rush on the skin under my smartwatch, I thought it was some kind of allergy that only me but now I see that I'm not the only one who has this, thanks Mike for reassuring me and for giving me some advice in order to cure this
as an add on to the last one, after workouts where you got extremely sweaty make sure to take it off and wash it as well. Sometimes your sweat can get trapped under it and cause this as well. I clean the back of mine regularly with alcohol wipes
@@briellejade._ another thing. like mike said in the video, after a particularly sweaty workout you’d probably want to take your watch off and make sure the fabric dries and your skin can properly breathe.
I have been wearing silicone strap almost 24-7. I wear it slightly loose, and I wash the strap at least once a day with handwash and always remove the watch and dry it with with a clean cloth along with my wrist whenever I detect wetness due to sweat or water, so I never had any skin issues related to it.
What!? Washing something that you use constantly that gets exposed to dirt and germs all the time!? Such a crazy idea! 😂 I honestly don't know why people don't clean things like this more often, or even at all! Your watch, your wedding ring, your phone, etc.
@AsuraSantosha I used to wash my Samsung S8+ regularly under the tap. Once due to some minor crack water resistance did not work and I had to shell lot of money to get display replaced. So I could never dare to wash my iPhone.. I use a wet cloth to clean it whenever it seems necessary. I am unmarried, so got not experience about a wedding ring 😃
I do the same with my normal watch. People have pointed out that my watch is “loose”, but I hate how sweaty it gets when I put it on how they want me to put it on. Nice to know I’ve been avoiding a rash naturally
Don’t forget you can clean the back of your smart watch and the strap with an alcohol pad which will keep the watch clean and germ free either a few minutes before it goes on the charger or a few minutes before you put it on in the morning. And if your watch can be worn while you wash your hands, make sure you wash your hands and wrists throughout the day and dry properly!
@@briellejade._ if it is the woven band from apple then yes! Washing machine, dishwasher, even just soap and warm water! Other bands I’d check their website to make sure the fibers are not something that will get damaged if washed a certain way.
Oh wow, I didn't even know this was a thing. My husband and I have worn ours everyday for the last 3+ years (silicone bands) without any issues. Hopefully we stay lucky!
I work with kids, so having a silicone strap has been a life saver when we’re playing with paint, water or when we’re outdoors. I do try to clean my watch to prevent nastiness lol.
Swapped my silicone type strap (allergic to actual silicone and discovered that allergy with a reaction to silicone catheters which wasn’t fun!) for a breathable fabric one. Made a massive difference. I also clean under the watch with an antibacterial wipe daily to remove any bacteria etc that could be growing to prevent irritation from that. I have a whole of medical conditions that require me to know if my heart rate is too high or too low and also a full time wheelchair user who lives alone and is deaf- so I use my watch as falls alarm should I need to text someone for help; so removing it isn’t an option. Changing my strap was easy and eBay had 100’s of breathable material strap options. Mine is also Velcro so much more freedom to set it just the right size, instead of pre cut holes where you could be inbetween sizes and likely to squeeze into the one that’s too tight
Cleaning the Watch also helps a lot. Blot a cotton ball or small cloth with 70%+ isopropyl alcohol and just clean the watch. Also does not hurt to just leave your watch off for a day or two.
Thank you for saying the obvious! Lol, this is key and I’ve been doing this as well since I’ve owed this watch (over 5 years now). I honestly think these rashes are mostly due to people *not* cleaning it.
@@deepashasharma9264 Nope. The caveat is don’t soak it with the alcohol but yup, it works 🙂 Never had this apparent irritation/rash in my 5 years of doing this.
I do NOT recommend a fabric band, especially if you wash your hands frequently, because they absorb moisture and keep it against your skin longer. The only time I had a problem with my Fitbit was when I used the fabric strap that it came with and it caused a fungal infection. I only use a silicone band now, and it gets washed or wiped down with an alcohol wipe several times per week.
It is tho I wear bracelets and my wrist feels light with out anything on it. So your talking about you at the moment. My grandfather always has his watch on never seen the man. Not have it on
Okay, I watched this video and thought he missed this most obvious tip. Clean the watch after use daily and-or periodically throughout the day. I’ve had an Apple Watch for at least 5 years now and I’ve always wiped the band, the face and the back with 70% isopropyl alcohol (just enough on the paper towel). I work in healthcare so I’m very conscious of high touch services and take the appropriate cleaning measures.
The funny thing is that the Apple Watch was the first watch to stop giving me rashes. Traditional watches gave me rashes since I was a kid, but since getting this watch, I’ve pretty much had none. But then again, I also wash my watch after a day’s use before charging and also wash it after workouts too. Swap between bands, use the solo loops, and use leather straps.
I worked at a summer camp last year, and I would always get those rashes where I put my watch. Using a breathable watch band and cleaning the watch daily kept the rash away
@@Korixon. if you go to Amazon and search “breathable sports Apple Watch band” there should be watch bands that have a bunch of holes all the way around them. That’s what always worked for me. Hope this helped :)
The strap doesn’t matter-take off your watch every day!! If you don’t remove it before washing your hands, then you’d better remove and dry the watch and wrist after (you may as well remove the watch before the wash). Lastly, don’t wear it too tightly.
I noticed the skin irritation from my watch get so much better when I took these steps as well as made sure that I disinfected it regularly. Skin cells, oil, and sebum for sure build up and if I don't clean it regularly, a film starts to develop. I have sensitive skin so even just missing this step causes irritation for me.
I’ve worn the silicone sport bands because they fit my wrists the best and have no problems. Even in Arizona. All I do is wash the band every night with soap and water. I also, after turning on the water lock, run my watch under some water to clean any dried sweat. Y’all will be fine. Just be sure to consistently keep your wrist and watch clean. Oh, and I like to keep my watches on snug where they can’t move around. And I’ve had no problems.
@@BS-dq1kz I take the band off and clean the band with sip and water. Then, as I said in the comment, I run my watch under water with the water lock on. Then I turn the crown and eject the water. It’s fine. My watch has never had any problems with water.
add 4 to that... Regularly clean the back part of your watch with isopropyl alcohol ( especially after work outs...). I clean mine about every 2 weeks with a cue tip and something plastic and pointy to get into the fine gaps etc.
I have never had this issue. Keep your skin and watch clean and let your skin breathe now and then as you said. Going by some of those videos it’s a lot of teens and young people misunderstanding their own health needs in regard to wearing a watch. Hopefully your advice helps them.
And that's why I use a leather band, and save the silicon for workouts when it needs to fit a little snugger. I also wipe the back of the watch down with an alcohol pad.
Something I do myself is that if I'm not out and about doing whatever or exercising, I will not have it on. Helps reduce the buildup of deadskin and oils and keep the redness down.
I've had my smartwatch for a while now (Samsung though) and even though my skin turns red easily, I've never had any skin issues caused by my watch. Didn't even know it was a thing. However, I DO have a silicone strap with holes, only have it on just snug enough that it doesn't move much but not so tight that my skin gets irritated and I do make a point of cleaning the hell out of it at least once a month. I take the strap and silicone case off, wash both with soapy water, use a toothpick to get any trapped debris out (accumulated skin and sweat, please clean your watches and jewellery) of tiny crevices in the band and then I wipe over the actual watch with an alcohol wipe. Doesn't take too long and your watch doesn't get nasty.
I'd imagine so, but I do know if its a Quest 2, they have had issues with chemicals in the face strap that can irritate skin, I think its only just been fixed recently.
Absolutely! I have had some pretty nasty irritation from prolonged VR use (Oculus Rift S) I am no doctor, but what helped me was getting a new "face foam" (idk if that's what it's called but the thing that makes contact with your face). I'd recommend looking for breathable face foam replacements for whatever HMD you have.
I actually just got three of those spots. It doesn’t hurt or itch but it’s super dry and looks terrible. I ordered a leather strap and am going to follow this advice from now on
You think it’s cool to not get a grip and take your life on the right track to be able to afford something like an Apple Watch? Girl, they’re not that expensive. Bet you’re one of those single welfare mothers of four in her early 20s…
Oooof I had this before 😂 it was so itchy! I figured it was a contact dermatitis, so I just took it off, cleaned the area well, pat dry and let it breathe. After a day or two, it was gone & I replaced it :)
I get irritation on my skin no matter what watch I wear, no matter what band it is, no matter if I keep it loose. So when I got an Apple Watch, it was actually a good thing because having to charge it forces me to remove my watch. I’ve also found that, from wearing it, the back of my watch can get funky. So I always wipe it off and I actually wash the band. Haven’t had an issue yet with the silicone band.
Yup. Had a rash start suddenly from the Apple x Nike silicone band, the one with all the holes. Went online and bought different silicone bands and ones that were narrower too and haven't had an issue since. I wonder for myself if it was a reaction to Apple's silicone band specifically cause no other bands have caused it since.
I had that issue when I first got my Samsung watch a few years ago. I always take it off and dry my watch/wrist after getting wet. I mostly wear stretchy fabric bands because they're easy to take on and off. The silicone bands I wear don't tuck in, it's just like a traditional watch strap and I found that helped a lot. If it's really hot outside, I only wear fabric bands because silicone gets too sweaty. I wear my watch at night for sleep tracking, and I switch wrists. So usually when I'm at work I wear my watch on my right wrist so I can write without having to take my watch off (I'm left handed). At night/when I'm not working, I wear my watch on my left wrist, just so I can give the skin a break. I have very sensitive skin, so if I don't switch wrists my skin gets irritated and red.
This is very helpful to know but I always hand wash my iwatch band strap with a bag of soap rinse it off with cold water and dry it off with a towel and the watch it self I spray a little of glass cleaner on it to clean it and I never get a rash from the iwatch band strap 😊
Thank goodness i thought i was allergic to the strap, and it sometimes smelled weird, but i switched to a galaxy active and the strap doesnt do it like the apple watch did.
mine used to all the time too, it’s the silicone bands! i prefer metal ones because they are nice and breathable! i find the fabric straps get itchy and absorb a lot of sweat, the metal ones have never smelled for me and are surprisingly comfortable!
@@SamM88 you can wash it in warm soapy water and use a cloth or soft brush to get at the excess dirt! The fabric straps seem to dry pretty quickly due to its size! though they are definitely not as convenient as silicone straps for cleaning daily!
Oh this is why that happens. I forget so often to take my watch off at the end of the day cause the battery lasts so long. I showed this to my mom and she said duh. She’s in pa school and has started learning about skin irritation from her teacher😂
Not from America, but I used work at a hospital and the number of people who come in with injuries that I wouldn't even bother putting a band-aid on is staggering.
Mine was a metal allergy. I’m allergic to most earrings, necklaces and any other metal that may be on my skin prolonged amounts of time. I haven’t gotten a true allergy test to know the exact metals yet but it’s definitely in the future.
I have this problem with my Fitbit and had to stop wearing it. Apparently there is a small amount of nickel in the charging contacts which is giving nickel sensitive users the rash.
I don’t think it’s necessarily cleanliness. When I had the silicone strap I got bad skin irritation but once I switched to a metal strap, no problems at all and I wear my watch so much there’s a dent in my arm 😂
It doesn't necessarily depend on one's hygiene. I used to wear a smartwatch a couple years ago and the silicone straps would irritate my skin. I always had extremely sensitive skin and I had to switch to fabric straps.
@@overkilljames2010 maybe for some people but not for me, i have sensitive skin and I would clean it daily, sometimes multiple times but any water or sweat got trapped under the silicone which softened my skin and the rubbing cause friction which irritated my skin. With my metal one it’s more breathable so water never gets trapped and I never have to worry about it anymore. I probably had an allergy to the material before if anything
So basically clean your skin before wearing and after taking it off and in between the day if you're a person that sweats profusely 😅; and clean your watch and strap off after every use/wear. Which I do everyday including with my Samsung galaxy watch also 😊. I 😢don't know if I should be surprised, disgusted, or disturbed that people have to be told to do the most simplest things that should be automatic I thought but I guess we all need a refresher course 😂
I've already had much trouble with silicone and steel links with watches in the past, and leather straps don't hold up well in an active lifestyle, so when I got my first Apple Watch I went straight for fabric. No complaints, although I do have a silicone band that I use when swimming since it doesn't absorb so much moisture.
Got this when I had leather straps on my watch. Replaced them with a perforated band for working out and a metal band for everything else. No problems since.
Shut Your Mouth For Weight Loss (YT Short)-> th-cam.com/video/-xaHk2stkZw/w-d-xo.html
thats why I become a self thought doctor by watching dr mike. thanks dr. mike
The Pandemic is planned Dr. Mike.
chest compressions
Should be common sense really.
Lol
I'm glad I chose the fabric straps when I bought my Apple Watch, no complaints so far and it's been two years since I've owned mine.
fabric is the best one. it's comfortable and lightweight
@@gamebuster800 Yeah Same
@Inaya nah it's actually advice
Can't people talk about their possessions without it being considered as "flexing"?
@@ilikeramenyum616 I couldn't agree more
Also just… clean it. I clean mine as part of my nightly routine, I waterproof the watch, detach it from the straps, and clean the underside a little bit, and then rinse the straps and use some hand soap. Makes my skin feel a lot better.
i'm also obsessed w cleaning technological devices but that sounds like too much work, instead of doing all that i just get a window cleaner spray thingy and use that and wipe it off with a dry towel, much less time consuming than soap and water
Y’all over doing it, just push the watch up your wrist a bit wash where the watch sits and slide it back and forth through the soapy foam. Rinse and be done. >.>
Every day might be a bit excessive.
@@Gold26502 It only really takes a minute, two at most lol
@@imoffendedthatyouareoffended Ahh I probably shoulda mentioned that I have eczema so I need to be careful or else the watch gets gross, and irritates my skin. It’s only a minute or two at most though, it’s basically part of my daily routine.
"Do You wear one of these?"
Me: No, Me broke
Mood
yus
gives the same energy as gorilla saying "me, give orange."
@@virturegd5247 lmao
Me all the way 😭🤦♀️
I have the silicon straps and I never had any problem. Just don’t wear it all the time and wipe it occasionally especially after a workout.
I almost never take off my watch. I wear it loose at home with a silicone strap, i don't care about the heart rate accuracy, it's should figure it out after costing that much. Tighten a bit so it doesn't move all over the place when i go out. I don't understand the stupidity of following their advice to tighten up to get more reliable results.
@@jasonMB999that's not how it works
@@jasonMB999loool what are u talking about it can’t just figure it out it has to actually touch your skin lol the green laser has to be touching your skin for it to get an accurate reading otherwise it dosnt even know your wearing it lool that’s why ppl keep saying it needs to be tight on your wrist 😅
Not a problem on my current watch, but my previous one would do the skin irritation. I solved it by alternating having the watch on the top and bottom of the wrist.
@@kellyroyal9579 lol, it knows you're wearing it no matter how loose, if it's on your wrist it knows you are wearing and will even track your sleep
As a landscaper who wears an Apple Watch with the silicon band, I noticed the band really gets crusty with dried sweat and dirt so you should also wash the band and wipe down the bottom of the watch too. I always do this at the end of the day and never had any irritation or rashes.
I just bought a non-silicone Apple Watch band with holes for this exact reason. My irritation went away within a week!
It’s sort of funny that we need a DOCTOR to tell us that we need to do to lose the Apple Watch rashes when we ourselves could just loosen the strap and wash it daily.
That is just how Modern Humans are I guess...
@@HappyLovesNymph that’s how humans have always been
@@charliewegner so you're saying we have had Apple Watches since our parents were born? Yeah didn't think so
You mean wash the skin right? not the watch just making sure before I dip mine into some soap
@@hippieheaven9705 No he's not, Doctor Mike is an actual doctor. Specifically he's a family medicine physician
When I was in 8th grade, my parents gifted me an Apple Watch with a silicone band. I wore it constantly, and started getting these exact symptoms. In high school, a friend asked me why I wear it so tightly, to which I replied: “I do lots of auto projects, so I don’t want it falling into an oil pan or something.” While I was in NYC I stopped by the Apple Store and bought myself a fabric watch strap, and the irritation disappeared. Listen to your friends. If they experience what you have, they might save you some pain.
Fabric strap does cause some smell coz of the moisture/sweat it accumulates over time.
Just clean daily the band and Apple Watch, you will be fine.
I wear a Fitbit, I already have dermatitis and it was really irritating my skin. I changed from a silicone strap to a stretchy fabric strap and it's so much better
People are not cleaning their watches.
That's good to know because I had a rash from silicone ones and had to take such a long break wearing it because I honestly didn't know there were cloth options
Yup I had to do the same. I also leave it off for a few hours every day.
I literally can't imagine *not* taking off my watch after working out.
Why would you do that to yourself? Wash your arms and your watch separately, good lord.
Unfortunately some people, just simply do not have common sense.
But I need to see what my heart rate is and collect the calorie burning data from washing myself
Ikr
But it's waterproof
@@ibrahimaliasurti3663 just because something can get wet, doesn't mean it should.
The strap with the holes is my fave I can’t stand fabric. Got a rash with my first watch with a flat band, but been fine since I got the nike watch (which has the band with holes in it). Thanks Dr. Mike!
the nike band is sooo much better + it looks much nicer, since i got the nike watch i prefer the band so much more
Sport bands baby!
Yea I haven’t had any problems with the Nike watch
I strongly recommend trying a titanium watch band, it is the most comfortable thing, much better than any steel, fabric or silicon.
@@bryce88 where can I buy one
I like how Mike doesn’t just go “don’t wear this”, but identifies the core problems that can be fixed without vilifying the product.
I know right?
I used to get rashes from my Fitbit. A couple more tips I’ve just picked up from experience: 1. Move the watch up or down your arm every time you feel it sticking a lot to leave that part of your skin completely exposed to air. I cycle between two spots on my arm so I never have it in one spot for two long. 2. Pad your arm dry in the area your watch touches if it feels moist, I just use part of my shirt, it makes a big difference. 3. Keep in mind that skin has to shed constantly, so regularly cleaning the watch is really important, I clean it when I take it off to take a shower, this was particularly a problem to me as I have pretty bad dust mite allergies and they love dead skin. I still use the silicone bands but don’t get rashes anymore.
How do you clean your watch? Worried I'm going to damage it 👀
@@gabbysteel rubbing alcohol would be best but honestly I usually just use a little bit of water and a tissue/part of my shirt. As long as you don’t submerge it in water for a long time it’ll be fine, they’re built to take on a little sweat. Make sure to take off the straps and clean where they connect as well since dirt can get trapped in there. :)
@@nanetteisontheinternet thanks heaps!!
That's a lot of effort (time invested) for the sake of having a watch.
@@escaramujo it’s not as much as it sounds really, I do most of this stuff completely mindlessly. Even if it is a lot it’s worth it to me to track my heart-rate, activity, and sleep patterns as I have health issues.
I have this rush on the skin under my smartwatch, I thought it was some kind of allergy that only me but now I see that I'm not the only one who has this, thanks Mike for reassuring me and for giving me some advice in order to cure this
as an add on to the last one, after workouts where you got extremely sweaty make sure to take it off and wash it as well. Sometimes your sweat can get trapped under it and cause this as well. I clean the back of mine regularly with alcohol wipes
Yep manufacturers recommend this about once a week to once a month. Dried sweat and dirt is like sandpaper after a while
does this work if mines fabric? i don’t want to damage it
@@briellejade._ regarding the band, you should be fine but I’d still wipe down the back of the watch itself.
@@briellejade._ another thing. like mike said in the video, after a particularly sweaty workout you’d probably want to take your watch off and make sure the fabric dries and your skin can properly breathe.
I have been wearing silicone strap almost 24-7. I wear it slightly loose, and I wash the strap at least once a day with handwash and always remove the watch and dry it with with a clean cloth along with my wrist whenever I detect wetness due to sweat or water, so I never had any skin issues related to it.
I'm doing exact same thing, if I see that my wrist skin is not feeling great, I'm taking a break for one night or a couple of hours during the day :)
What!? Washing something that you use constantly that gets exposed to dirt and germs all the time!? Such a crazy idea! 😂
I honestly don't know why people don't clean things like this more often, or even at all! Your watch, your wedding ring, your phone, etc.
@@AsuraSantosha 😂
@NataliaLegarska Awesome :)
@AsuraSantosha I used to wash my Samsung S8+ regularly under the tap. Once due to some minor crack water resistance did not work and I had to shell lot of money to get display replaced. So I could never dare to wash my iPhone.. I use a wet cloth to clean it whenever it seems necessary.
I am unmarried, so got not experience about a wedding ring 😃
I replaced mine with a fabric strap a while ago, and started cleaning my watch back weekly, I’ve noticed a big difference!
How do you clean the fabric straps?
I do the same with my normal watch. People have pointed out that my watch is “loose”, but I hate how sweaty it gets when I put it on how they want me to put it on. Nice to know I’ve been avoiding a rash naturally
Don’t forget you can clean the back of your smart watch and the strap with an alcohol pad which will keep the watch clean and germ free either a few minutes before it goes on the charger or a few minutes before you put it on in the morning. And if your watch can be worn while you wash your hands, make sure you wash your hands and wrists throughout the day and dry properly!
Came here to say just this. Thanks!
is it ok to clean to fabric strap? i don’t want to damage it
@@briellejade._ if it is the woven band from apple then yes! Washing machine, dishwasher, even just soap and warm water! Other bands I’d check their website to make sure the fibers are not something that will get damaged if washed a certain way.
@@modernnerdycollector5106 okay, tysm for replying!!
And please clean the back of the watch and the strap regularly.
Oh wow, I didn't even know this was a thing. My husband and I have worn ours everyday for the last 3+ years (silicone bands) without any issues. Hopefully we stay lucky!
i think it depends on the person as well, some people are more prone to getting rashes and some are not
The bands contain nickel and other products that many are allergic to, irritation allows microbes to make your wrist home.
Stay lucky? Why wouldn't you just obey to the doctor and avoid the problem entirely... instead of depending on luck to keep you healthy?
@@frickfrack7075 not that deep mate
I get it after I hit the gym I think it depends also on how much u sweat
I work with kids, so having a silicone strap has been a life saver when we’re playing with paint, water or when we’re outdoors. I do try to clean my watch to prevent nastiness lol.
Swapped my silicone type strap (allergic to actual silicone and discovered that allergy with a reaction to silicone catheters which wasn’t fun!) for a breathable fabric one. Made a massive difference. I also clean under the watch with an antibacterial wipe daily to remove any bacteria etc that could be growing to prevent irritation from that. I have a whole of medical conditions that require me to know if my heart rate is too high or too low and also a full time wheelchair user who lives alone and is deaf- so I use my watch as falls alarm should I need to text someone for help; so removing it isn’t an option. Changing my strap was easy and eBay had 100’s of breathable material strap options. Mine is also Velcro so much more freedom to set it just the right size, instead of pre cut holes where you could be inbetween sizes and likely to squeeze into the one that’s too tight
Cleaning the Watch also helps a lot. Blot a cotton ball or small cloth with 70%+ isopropyl alcohol and just clean the watch. Also does not hurt to just leave your watch off for a day or two.
Thank you for saying the obvious! Lol, this is key and I’ve been doing this as well since I’ve owed this watch (over 5 years now). I honestly think these rashes are mostly due to people *not* cleaning it.
wait but wont that ruin the watch?
@@deepashasharma9264 Nope. The caveat is don’t soak it with the alcohol but yup, it works 🙂 Never had this apparent irritation/rash in my 5 years of doing this.
And washing the band helps too. I usually give mine a good wash once a week and haven’t had any issues.
I do NOT recommend a fabric band, especially if you wash your hands frequently, because they absorb moisture and keep it against your skin longer. The only time I had a problem with my Fitbit was when I used the fabric strap that it came with and it caused a fungal infection. I only use a silicone band now, and it gets washed or wiped down with an alcohol wipe several times per week.
Why wouldn't you take your watch off before washing your hands?
4th...try to put it off sometimes as well. It's not like a compulsion to wear it all the time
B-but I paid so much money for it
It is actually a compulsion to wear it all the time for me 😂 I feel naked without it. Except at night
@@Raec123 I wear mine morning, noon, and night. I charge it for an hour before I go to bed. I can’t step out of the house without mine on. 😅
@@cookric Today's results: Apple wins!
It is tho I wear bracelets and my wrist feels light with out anything on it. So your talking about you at the moment. My grandfather always has his watch on never seen the man. Not have it on
clean your strap with isopropyl alcohol after working out. A disinfecting wet wipe works great. take it off at 11pm and put it on at 9:00am.
I always take it off throughout the day. And sanitize it as well as my phone.
well aren't we responsible
@@JAMES51990 mostly afraid of germs lol.
@@JAMES51990 or growing bacteria.
Okay, I watched this video and thought he missed this most obvious tip. Clean the watch after use daily and-or periodically throughout the day. I’ve had an Apple Watch for at least 5 years now and I’ve always wiped the band, the face and the back with 70% isopropyl alcohol (just enough on the paper towel). I work in healthcare so I’m very conscious of high touch services and take the appropriate cleaning measures.
@@MaKaye55 yeah I get that. I’m a nursing student.
Who knew, I’m taking mine off now.
The funny thing is that the Apple Watch was the first watch to stop giving me rashes. Traditional watches gave me rashes since I was a kid, but since getting this watch, I’ve pretty much had none.
But then again, I also wash my watch after a day’s use before charging and also wash it after workouts too. Swap between bands, use the solo loops, and use leather straps.
Thanks for the advice 😀😀
I worked at a summer camp last year, and I would always get those rashes where I put my watch. Using a breathable watch band and cleaning the watch daily kept the rash away
do u know a good watch band that I could get
@@Korixon. if you go to Amazon and search “breathable sports Apple Watch band” there should be watch bands that have a bunch of holes all the way around them. That’s what always worked for me. Hope this helped :)
Doctor Mike is a channel where adding “beware” to the title isn’t just for clicks, but is actually useful
Seriously one of the best things I’ve done with my Apple Watch was getting a fabric band
The strap doesn’t matter-take off your watch every day!! If you don’t remove it before washing your hands, then you’d better remove and dry the watch and wrist after (you may as well remove the watch before the wash). Lastly, don’t wear it too tightly.
I noticed the skin irritation from my watch get so much better when I took these steps as well as made sure that I disinfected it regularly. Skin cells, oil, and sebum for sure build up and if I don't clean it regularly, a film starts to develop. I have sensitive skin so even just missing this step causes irritation for me.
I’ve worn the silicone sport bands because they fit my wrists the best and have no problems. Even in Arizona. All I do is wash the band every night with soap and water. I also, after turning on the water lock, run my watch under some water to clean any dried sweat. Y’all will be fine. Just be sure to consistently keep your wrist and watch clean. Oh, and I like to keep my watches on snug where they can’t move around. And I’ve had no problems.
You run just the band under the water, right? Not the face. Just been wondering how water resistant these AW’s actually are.
@@BS-dq1kz I take the band off and clean the band with sip and water. Then, as I said in the comment, I run my watch under water with the water lock on. Then I turn the crown and eject the water. It’s fine. My watch has never had any problems with water.
add 4 to that... Regularly clean the back part of your watch with isopropyl alcohol ( especially after work outs...). I clean mine about every 2 weeks with a cue tip and something plastic and pointy to get into the fine gaps etc.
I have never had this issue. Keep your skin and watch clean and let your skin breathe now and then as you said. Going by some of those videos it’s a lot of teens and young people misunderstanding their own health needs in regard to wearing a watch. Hopefully your advice helps them.
And that's why I use a leather band, and save the silicon for workouts when it needs to fit a little snugger. I also wipe the back of the watch down with an alcohol pad.
same! my leather band is my fav. also, always sanitize your devices- they are filthy.
Something I do myself is that if I'm not out and about doing whatever or exercising, I will not have it on. Helps reduce the buildup of deadskin and oils and keep the redness down.
I've had my smartwatch for a while now (Samsung though) and even though my skin turns red easily, I've never had any skin issues caused by my watch. Didn't even know it was a thing. However, I DO have a silicone strap with holes, only have it on just snug enough that it doesn't move much but not so tight that my skin gets irritated and I do make a point of cleaning the hell out of it at least once a month. I take the strap and silicone case off, wash both with soapy water, use a toothpick to get any trapped debris out (accumulated skin and sweat, please clean your watches and jewellery) of tiny crevices in the band and then I wipe over the actual watch with an alcohol wipe. Doesn't take too long and your watch doesn't get nasty.
Yeah generally speaking if you put anything on your body that is snuggly fitting and leave it there for too long it's going to be a problem
Kinda curious, can this happen with a VR face cover or strap?
I'd imagine so, but I do know if its a Quest 2, they have had issues with chemicals in the face strap that can irritate skin, I think its only just been fixed recently.
welp as soon as plastic/rubber/silicon is pressed on your skin, your skin will get mad.
Absolutely! I have had some pretty nasty irritation from prolonged VR use (Oculus Rift S)
I am no doctor, but what helped me was getting a new "face foam" (idk if that's what it's called but the thing that makes contact with your face). I'd recommend looking for breathable face foam replacements for whatever HMD you have.
Do you live your day to day life with a vr headset ?
Maybe consider coming back into the real world from time to time?
I actually just got three of those spots. It doesn’t hurt or itch but it’s super dry and looks terrible. I ordered a leather strap and am going to follow this advice from now on
how is leather better? You think it's breathable? It still traps bacteria and you can't wash it out as you could with fabric or even silicone
@@ChocolateMuffin308 Well I ordered it BEFORE I saw this. I thought it was an allergic reaction :/
When your too broke to even get an Apple Watch: 😎
Hon Same thing could happen with a normal watch.
They aren’t even that expensive. Your able to get one for like 150$
@@niobisad hello? I said broke. You think I'm finna spend 150 on an APPLE WATCH when I'm BROKE? I got bigger things to worry about bebe idk ur on👯
You think it’s cool to not get a grip and take your life on the right track to be able to afford something like an Apple Watch? Girl, they’re not that expensive. Bet you’re one of those single welfare mothers of four in her early 20s…
@@me5yago625 1st generation is less than 50 dollars
Gentle soap warm water for your skin and the band. Lamasil cream 2xs a day.
I don't think I will ever buy one
Oooof I had this before 😂 it was so itchy! I figured it was a contact dermatitis, so I just took it off, cleaned the area well, pat dry and let it breathe. After a day or two, it was gone & I replaced it :)
Dr mike: *talking*
Me: …why his vein struggling like that
I get irritation on my skin no matter what watch I wear, no matter what band it is, no matter if I keep it loose. So when I got an Apple Watch, it was actually a good thing because having to charge it forces me to remove my watch. I’ve also found that, from wearing it, the back of my watch can get funky. So I always wipe it off and I actually wash the band. Haven’t had an issue yet with the silicone band.
Bruh 9 seconds what a record
I was literally wondering about this problem!
Yup. Had a rash start suddenly from the Apple x Nike silicone band, the one with all the holes. Went online and bought different silicone bands and ones that were narrower too and haven't had an issue since. I wonder for myself if it was a reaction to Apple's silicone band specifically cause no other bands have caused it since.
I had that issue when I first got my Samsung watch a few years ago. I always take it off and dry my watch/wrist after getting wet.
I mostly wear stretchy fabric bands because they're easy to take on and off. The silicone bands I wear don't tuck in, it's just like a traditional watch strap and I found that helped a lot.
If it's really hot outside, I only wear fabric bands because silicone gets too sweaty.
I wear my watch at night for sleep tracking, and I switch wrists. So usually when I'm at work I wear my watch on my right wrist so I can write without having to take my watch off (I'm left handed). At night/when I'm not working, I wear my watch on my left wrist, just so I can give the skin a break.
I have very sensitive skin, so if I don't switch wrists my skin gets irritated and red.
This helped a lot! Thank you so much!
The Nike sport bands have holes in them! & yes please dry it off lol
This is very helpful to know but I always hand wash my iwatch band strap with a bag of soap rinse it off with cold water and dry it off with a towel and the watch it self I spray a little of glass cleaner on it to clean it and I never get a rash from the iwatch band strap 😊
A fabric band from Amazon fixed my issues.
Alternate wearing your watch between both wrists also helps. 😊
Nobody doin tht
Thank goodness i thought i was allergic to the strap, and it sometimes smelled weird, but i switched to a galaxy active and the strap doesnt do it like the apple watch did.
Imagine wanting a smart watch so badly but not grasping the concept of washing your ass properly.
Thx for helping me 😊
I have that rash from my watch 😧
i know barely anyone is not going to see this but whoever does i hope you have a great day 3>
Fun fact: most of these type of comments are always the most seen if they exist in a comments section.
Thank you my day is fine just tired I like the comments that ask about you day appreciate it
@@MaxGamerFun wait fr i was just stright up bored so i wrote that
Dr. Mike points at me saying “Breathe Better”. Me knowing I’m an asthmatic with my inhaler ready at any unfortunate moment…..
mesh straps work too. More airflow and it can be tight.
Perfect! I've been wondering why my skin under my smartwatch smells like death and gives me rashes!
mine used to all the time too, it’s the silicone bands! i prefer metal ones because they are nice and breathable! i find the fabric straps get itchy and absorb a lot of sweat, the metal ones have never smelled for me and are surprisingly comfortable!
Its why i switched to fabric straps, i kept getting serious itches and redness under the strap, and now its back to normal
I shower with mine to clean it daily. I actually have atopic dermatitis and it’s the only place I don’t get irritations.
Tnx doc
4th: clean your straps regularly with antibacterial.
I’ve also seen this with Fitbit watches, he kind of has an allergic reaction kind of reaction
Same here. I use the eucerin cream for dry and itchy skin on my wrist. The cream seems to make the irritation go away in like a day.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten these rashes, definitely going to get a fabric strap!
Fabric absorbs sweat and is harder to clean. Just get a band with holes and wash your watch
How do you clean the fabric? I like being able to clean mine daily. Otherwise, that’s just gross.
@@SamM88 you can wash it in warm soapy water and use a cloth or soft brush to get at the excess dirt! The fabric straps seem to dry pretty quickly due to its size! though they are definitely not as convenient as silicone straps for cleaning daily!
@@gemmaohanlon8598thanks for this info!
silicon straps are really annoying
Yep my Samsung watch leaves a mark, I take it off and give it a charge when I get home. 1 to keep it topped up and 2 to give my arm "a break"
I’ve got this ever since I got my Fitbit Versa 2 for Christmas, I’ve been wondering why this was happening, and now I know, thanks Dr Mike.
Dr. Mike should add a peewoop at the end of every short.
What impact do those green lasers constantly shooting into your skin have?
Oh this is why that happens. I forget so often to take my watch off at the end of the day cause the battery lasts so long. I showed this to my mom and she said duh. She’s in pa school and has started learning about skin irritation from her teacher😂
So we just gone ignore the smiley face on his thumb 😂
I thought I saw it the first time, had to watch it twice.😄
It's almost funny how Americans go to doctors for literally anything and everything.
Yeah epeshally with how much they have to pay, you'd think they'd only go when they actually need to
@@shadowkyber2510 fr
Not from America, but I used work at a hospital and the number of people who come in with injuries that I wouldn't even bother putting a band-aid on is staggering.
I’m American and I would never go for something so trivial. Idk which Americans are going in over a rash.
I clean mine with wipes every three days, Also strap with holes
Me without a watch: Oh My God!!
Mine was a metal allergy. I’m allergic to most earrings, necklaces and any other metal that may be on my skin prolonged amounts of time.
I haven’t gotten a true allergy test to know the exact metals yet but it’s definitely in the future.
I have this problem with my Fitbit and had to stop wearing it. Apparently there is a small amount of nickel in the charging contacts which is giving nickel sensitive users the rash.
I wear my Apple Watch almost 24/7 and have never had an issue like this ever. Some of you guys need to stay clean lol
I don’t think it’s necessarily cleanliness. When I had the silicone strap I got bad skin irritation but once I switched to a metal strap, no problems at all and I wear my watch so much there’s a dent in my arm 😂
It doesn't necessarily depend on one's hygiene. I used to wear a smartwatch a couple years ago and the silicone straps would irritate my skin. I always had extremely sensitive skin and I had to switch to fabric straps.
@@Shayla_MOONthe cause for all these symptoms began because of not staying clean
@@overkilljames2010 maybe for some people but not for me, i have sensitive skin and I would clean it daily, sometimes multiple times but any water or sweat got trapped under the silicone which softened my skin and the rubbing cause friction which irritated my skin. With my metal one it’s more breathable so water never gets trapped and I never have to worry about it anymore. I probably had an allergy to the material before if anything
this is so mean lol some of us are clean yet have sensitive skin 😭
the fabric staps are worth it, trust me! i use a s7 and i have had it for quite sometime, and i have no complaints.
Me who is wereing one ok
Literally 🤣💀
@@LBeditz07 yea lol
We’ll all be referencing this video in a few years when wearable VR/AR contact lenses become a thing. See ya’ll in 2027!
switched to a fabric strap, its a game changer. also agree with washing and taking off after a work out.
I got contact dermatitis from a silicone strap when I wore a pebble. I’m so glad I have fabric options now.
leather bands for the win…Robust ones are great!
Clean ur devices which are close to ur skins ear buds included and clean those body parts too
So basically clean your skin before wearing and after taking it off and in between the day if you're a person that sweats profusely 😅; and clean your watch and strap off after every use/wear. Which I do everyday including with my Samsung galaxy watch also 😊. I 😢don't know if I should be surprised, disgusted, or disturbed that people have to be told to do the most simplest things that should be automatic I thought but I guess we all need a refresher course 😂
I've already had much trouble with silicone and steel links with watches in the past, and leather straps don't hold up well in an active lifestyle, so when I got my first Apple Watch I went straight for fabric. No complaints, although I do have a silicone band that I use when swimming since it doesn't absorb so much moisture.
Leather is my personal choice
I also recommend washing your watch so it doesn't smell.
Got this when I had leather straps on my watch. Replaced them with a perforated band for working out and a metal band for everything else. No problems since.
Thanks for talking about this. Imma be honest I get this rash all the time and I haven’t said anything to my doctor 😭