Top dermatologist reveals how to avoid using your Apple smartwatch
A dermatologist warns about a common reaction you may experience when using your smartwatch band.
Dr. Heather Kornmehl, a dermatologist from Texas, shared a video showing a dry, irritated red rash that had developed on the inside of her wrist in response to the metal click on her Apple Watch.
She said some people cannot tolerate certain metal mixtures – and may develop rashes in response to copper, nickel or chromium, although it is unclear what is in the metal on the Apple Watch band.
It appears the Texas native is suffering from contact dermatitis – an allergic reaction of the skin that causes an itchy, red rash, similar to eczema.
It can take up to two to three days for a rash to develop after exposure to an irritant.
According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, approximately 20 percent of Americans are affected by this condition that stems from a variety of irritants, which amounts to approximately 68 million people.
Fortunately, Dr. Kornmehl has a solution: she suggested that users with similar reactions use pimple patches to create a barrier between the watch metal and their skin.
Smartwatches offer programs to track sleep habits, heart rate, exercise and more. According to a study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, the average user wears their device eleven hours a day
Contact dermatitis can present as a red rash, with swellings, bumps or blisters, or with dry, flaky skin. The results of Dr. Kornmehl (not shown) appeared to be a small, circular rash with dry, flaky skin on the surface
About 21 million Americans use some form of smartwatch to track their exercise, monitor their notifications, or get data on their sleep. On average, people wear the accessory 11 hours a day.
The bands are waterproof and sweat resistant, which means people’s sweat can sometimes get stuck under the band. Prolonged exposure to sweat and oil can erode some of the surface of the metal, slightly increasing the chance of developing contact dermatitis.
However, these watches are far from the only common product that can cause contact dermatitis. People can be bothered by jewelry, nail polish or even glasses frames.
Common triggers of contact dermatitis include nickel, chromium, cobalt chloride, copper and gold.
In the comments on her video, Dr. Kornmehl copper.
Copper is often added to products that people use every day because, when mixed with other metals, it can make the product stronger and more rust-resistant.
The Apple Watch sells online for between $249 (£195) and $799 (£625), and traditionally comes with a smooth, silicone-like band held in place with metal snaps.
It is unclear which metal mix the company uses for its snaps.
They have alternative options for straps – including nylon fabrics, yarn loops and flexible elastomers – that contain no or less metal.
These range in price approximately between $49 (£39) and $349 (£155).
But if someone doesn’t want to buy a whole new product, Dr. Kornmehl recommends a hack that only requires a short trip to the pharmacy.
In her video, Dr. Kornmehl showed how using a pimple patch, a small, adhesive bandage designed to draw oil from a pimple, can create a thin barrier between the metal and your skin.
They are traditionally made from hydrocolloid, a durable, gel-like material with a silica-like texture, designed for one-time use on wounds.
She said wearing the patch helped heal the rash. Several brands of these patches can be purchased online for between $7 and $22.
The Apple Watch sells online for between $249 (£195) and $799 (£625). The standard strap uses metal snaps to keep the product secure, but alternative strap options are available
Contact dermatitis is the type of condition that usually goes away on its own once a person stops exposing themselves to their allergen, says Dr. Vivian Shi, a professor of dermatology at the University of Washington.
Sometimes, however, if someone with an existing condition, such as eczema, develops a metal allergy, it can worsen skin inflammation all over the body.
It is not entirely clear why some people are sensitive to metals and others are not.
According to the National Eczema AssociationIf a person wears a metal product on their skin, some of the molecules may eventually be eroded where they are absorbed into the body.
There the immune system can respond to the metal molecules, attacking them and causing an allergic reaction.
If you are unsure whether you have a metal allergy, doctors recommend that you make an appointment.
Once you’re confident about your risks, Dr. Shi said, “Always read product labels and if it’s not available, contact the manufacturer for more information.”