r/mildlyinteresting • u/marymayhemz • 1d ago
Everytime I wear my galaxy watch overnight, I get a hive spot where the infrared light hits my wrist
17.1k
u/NocterTrip 1d ago
Time to change your wrist
3.7k
u/strong_grey_hero 1d ago
Order the new Samsung Galaxy Wrist Pro
572
u/FloridaSpam 1d ago
Practice on a hot dog first...
→ More replies (2)265
u/the-es 1d ago
I just want to make sure that we're on the same page. What are we practicing?
→ More replies (2)334
u/Aggravating-Pattern 1d ago
On a hot dog, they already told you
→ More replies (2)118
u/the-es 1d ago
Ok, you have me convinced. I'm down. Where do we meet?
178
u/MissSweetMurderer 1d ago
On the hot dog, they already told you
122
u/the_revised_pratchet 1d ago
The meats in the hotdog silly.
53
2
19
u/lifesabatch 1d ago
Found the big spender. I have to wait 6 months for the Galaxy Wrist Fan Edition to drop.
7
193
3
u/gin_and_toxic 1d ago
Nah, just get a new skin dude.
Dbrand makes nice skins. Just wrap your whole arm.
→ More replies (1)3
2.1k
u/Ryukotaicho 1d ago
There might be a chance that this is happening because soap and water gets trapped a bit under your watch and the IR light exasperates it. I some times get itchy bumps under my rings or watch if I’m not thorough about rinsing off the soap or drying off the water. Not saying it’s totally what’s happening, just that it could be something
1.4k
u/bwyer 1d ago
Hey, just fyi, the word you're looking for is exacerbates. Yeah, I know you didn't ask and it's a bit pedantic but I have to give kudos for even knowing the word you were shooting for.
670
u/Ryukotaicho 1d ago
Honestly, I appreciate. Thank you for spelling out the correct word, I struggle some times
→ More replies (1)267
u/ChasingTimmy 1d ago
Wholesome exchange, guys. This made me happy to see.
→ More replies (1)141
u/Terrible_Tower_6590 1d ago
Average day on Reddit would have been:
"Hey shitass, learn vocabulary. It's spelled exacerbates"
"Did I fucking ask?"
48
u/mizzmoe01 1d ago
My biggest worry is I know a word but have no clue how it’s spelled or reverse- I know how it’s spelled but not how it’s not pronounced. You pointed this error out in such a kind manner. Thanks for being an awesome human!
8
u/Jopojussi 1d ago
Good thing my main language is phonetic one, tho english is pain if i go bit longer without using it.
3
u/KeijiKiryira 1d ago
mine is probably having a massive vocabulary but I'm too stupid (or otherwise mentally limited) to recall said words and their meanings /shrug
92
19
u/Majin_Sus 1d ago
Yeah I get this with my watch all the time. Sweat will do it too.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (4)5
u/irishblankcanvas 1d ago
Exasperate could almost be suitable in this context, as it is also a word, but typically used as a synonym for 'annoy', the subject being a person, as opposed to an object/thing. Eg, 'the child's behaviour exasperated his parents', vs 'the IR light exacerbated the skin irritation'. Words are cool 😎
1.2k
u/WhateverEndeavor 1d ago
I bet you haven't cleaned the bottom of the watch body or the straps in a while.
→ More replies (4)600
u/marymayhemz 1d ago
Thats true I havent, but then I figure it would affect me during the day as well? It only happens at night. Ill clean it today
762
u/Alwaysontilt 1d ago
It could be that during the day you are moving your wrist and so the back is touching different parts of your body for short intermittent periods, where as at night it's resting on the same spot all night or for longer periods of time.
118
u/5oy8oy 1d ago
Definitely. Wearing my watch at night will leave imprints of it on my wrist and I'll occasionally wake up to a numb hand, meaning it's been pressed up again my wrist really hard for an extended period. Never happens during waking hours. That's why I started using an oura for sleep tracking instead.
84
u/scotianheimer 1d ago
Possibly if you wear your watch 24/7 then it gets irritated, but if you take a break by not wearing it at night then it doesn’t affect your skin so much? Maybe?
Just spitballin’ here.
24
u/marymayhemz 1d ago
Makes sense actually! Very possible!
22
u/GarethBelton 1d ago
I have a similar, "if the watch is in one spot too long I get red bumps" thing. I find that switching the wrist it is on before going to sleep helps immensely.
8
5
u/roygbpcub 1d ago
I used to get sweat rash/irritation from mine. My solution was swap wrists between day and night(left during the day right at night, though I'm not measuring heart information so it might not work) and every time i shower i wipe it down with a lightly damp towel(post shower) to get any sweat off it.
23
11
u/neonifiednyan 1d ago
i have a fitbit versa 4 and i take it off to shower every night. after i get out of the shower, i find a damp part of my towel and wipe off the back of my watch where it touches my skin, then put it back on. i notice i get rashes if i dont do that
7
u/BenkartJKB 1d ago
I suggest wiping the watch and your wrist with soapy water, drying both with a towel once every 12 Hours. Or if you don't wear overnight, do it after you take it off. When I was on a cpap machine, the mask would irritate my skin if I didn't wipe it off in between wearing it. My theory is stuff kept growing on the sweat of my mask after I took it off, overwhelming my skins defenses when I put it back on. I have no expertise other than my experience with this. My nose stopped getting irritated from my glasses when I started doing this.
6
u/GwentanimoBay 1d ago
This is gross, but most of the time the explicit problem is yeast build up that causes these irritations.
Like, for babies it can be called thrush I think? And when it's non herpes cold sore like rashes around your mouth? And dandruff - a lot of dandruff!
All is most commonly caused by yeast growth.
Of course, I'm not a doctor, I can't diagnose you or anyone else, so I'm not making any promises here - just saying that statistically, it's yeast. The same yeast family that makes beer and sourdough delicious? Yeah! That family of yeast. Thats the yeast that builds up on things like hats, and socks, and when we all wore masks all the time, those masks, and your cpap (and others, it's not an uncommon occurrence!), and hair bonnets, and pillows, etc. etc. etc.
All yeasty. The same yeast that causes UTIs. Well, the same family.
Its so gross, but also, like, so fascinating.
→ More replies (11)16
u/WhateverEndeavor 1d ago
Clean it every day/night. That's kinda gross if you think about it. You have this material that doesn't breathe attached to your skin all day and night without being cleaned.
→ More replies (9)
91
u/WomanOfEld 1d ago
OP - Oracal's 651 line includes a transparent permanent adhesive vinyl (651 is the same level of stuff you see on outdoor shop signage, so it's durable). I used a small circle of it to cover my HR sensor and it worked fine.
Are you in the Continental US?
71
u/ThisWhomps999 1d ago
That happens at the spot when the nanites enter your bloodstream. Don't worry your body will start to work more efficiently once they become embedded into your nervous system.
→ More replies (1)14
u/TheAmazingPikachu 1d ago
Ignore the tickling sensation as this happens, it's totally normal. Goes away after about a week.
55
u/saint760 1d ago
I had this happen with a Garmin. Turns out it was the charging port rubbing against my wrist. I don't know how a galaxy watch is on the bottom, but I'd imagine there's something in there physically irritating the skin.
17
3
u/kindofageek 1d ago
Did yours have the Fenix style port? I just checked under my watch and have the bump where that port is. But it goes away in minutes.
5
u/BioMan998 1d ago
My Garmin venu will do the same thing with the whole strap and back of the watch. Making sure my skin is dry before putting it back on helps a lot.
1
33
u/Jmersh 1d ago
Are you on any antibiotics, antidepressants, or diuretics? Some of those are known to make people's skin sensitive to IR and/or UV.
14
u/scoot2006 1d ago
Smells like you’ve received those warnings in the past or have given them to folks for caution. Good on you for the awareness either way.
38
u/psilocybin-fun-guy 1d ago
You might just be sweating under it, try daily watch cleaning with IPA, and put thin layer of Vaseline on clean skin before putting it on
41
20
u/Snoochey 1d ago
My Fitbit makes my skin turn red and ‘burnt’ if I wear it. Feels real bad, a few hundred bucks wasted on that lol.
I read it was likely from the battery leaking a bit, but not positive. I just stopped wearing it.
21
u/pun-in-the-oven 1d ago
They have a lithium-ion battery, which do not leak. Could be an allergy to the material of the watch back
2
u/Snoochey 1d ago
Could be sensitivity to the light, sweat pooling, could be the copper or whatever connection that the charging uses - not sure. I just stopped wearing it.
5
u/MrUsername24 1d ago
You have sensitive skin, maybe an allergy to the rubber but likely just sensitive yo thr collected sweat
2
u/WelcomingRapier 1d ago
My old Versa from a few years ago did that. I changed band types, moved wrists, and within 48hrs it started feeling like I had carpal tunnel in the wrist, a burnt/sensitive spot on my skin, or both. Definitely felt like wasted money.
Took a gamble on an Inspire 6 months or so ago and it's been perfectly fine, with an elastic band, not the plastic.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)2
u/legolasismine 20h ago
I put medical paper tape over the back of mine - it still does all the stuff but it doesn't irritate my skin. I change the tape when I charge as I have to take it off to charge it anyway so that it's never old or dirty.
→ More replies (1)
10
u/redditor50613 1d ago
could be an allergy to the metal used. I would do a skin test those allergies only get worse.
13
u/jenkatt10 1d ago
I get a very similar thing! To prevent the rash I get under my watch, I wear it on my left wrist during the day and at night I switch it to my right wrist! It helps to give each wrist a break.
3
u/gruvyrock 1d ago
Reminder that these watches can also work if you rotate them so the light is hitting the inside of your wrist! I do that sometimes when I’m too lazy to change the settings for switching wrists.
10
u/woodythewoodstar 1d ago
That's your 5G tumor. It may be alarming, but soon you'll be able to scan that everywhere instead of carrying a wallet.
3
8
u/IDK80808 1d ago
It’s too tight. Just loosen it up. I had the same problem but not anymore
3
u/NicevilleWaterCo 1d ago
Yep. Exact same thing for me. I wear it more snug when I'm working out, the rest of the day - especially at night I wear it slightly loose. Once I stopped wearing it too tightly I stopped having this problem.
9
3
4
4
u/thedeadlysun 22h ago
Likely developed an allergy to the metal on the watch. I recently had the same with whatever metal they use in the basic Apple Watch wrist clasp. Luckily I had another band handy that didn’t have that exposed metal in direct contact with my skin.
6
3
u/afrienduknow 1d ago
I always swap wrists when I sleep the skin on my arm gets really dry when I leave it on the same arm constantly for days. I've never broken out or turned red like that tho.
3
u/Gloomy-Holiday8618 1d ago
I developed a wart/mole from the metal on a watch on my wrist. I have a metal allergy so that might be why.
3
u/InternalBrilliant900 1d ago
When I was in the hospital giving birth, I had the same thing and my nurse told me it's a copper allergy. That was specific to me in my case, but it's worth investigating. It could also be sweat and chafing due to wearing the watch for extended periods of time.
3
3
u/this_a_shitty_name 1d ago
I saw you mentioned heart problems in the comments. I bought my watch for that and the "find my phone" feature 😂 uhm if you're experiencing palpitations, I significantly reduced mine by upping my electrolyte intake. Best of luck!
3
u/United-Kale-2385 1d ago
I used to get the same thing. I started cleaning the band with alcohol at night and it stopped happening.
3
u/Kioga101 1d ago
I once got a reaction in my skin out of my watch, I just loosened it up by 1 hole and took care not to let it get super sweaty. Never happened again.
3
u/WhenItRains23 1d ago
Clean the back of your watch well. Mine gets full of skin and dirt after a few days. I use a toothpick to gently pick the skin from the circle crease, and then use an alcohol wipe on the back of it to sanitize. They get so gunked up with germs.
3
u/josephboid 1d ago
I recently went to the doctors and asked about this too, except I use an Apple Watch but my doctor said some materials on watches can trigger dermatitis on the skin, I have a steroid cream that helps and I rarely have to use it. I’d like to assume it can possibly be some germs or bacteria getting harbored on our watches so I also scrub mine clean every now and then to prevent any foreseeable bumps like that. I like the hygienic approach since I’m always wearing my watch.
3
u/Gurkeprinsen 1d ago
Try not to wear it at night if you use it during the day, just to let your skin breathe
→ More replies (1)
3
u/Kanyewesther 1d ago
I get that on my ankle when I wear it there for work but weirdly not on my wrist the rest of the time. It’s happened with both my old and brand new ones so I don’t think it’s anything to do with cleaning.
3
3
3
u/Salty-Hashes 22h ago
Sounds like a class action lawsuit. Just think there could be dozens of you out there! Dozens!
3
u/monitorsforwalls 19h ago
buy this and put it under your your watch
I have the same issue and wear this under my apple watch
3
u/Adventurous-Wing-723 18h ago
Probably an allergy to the nickel. I have very bad allergy to nickel that causes me to break out anytime its on my skin for long periods and it causes hives just like that. (Buying pants with buttons is not fun for me, I have to put clear nail polish on them or they will cause me to get itchy hives, I have yet to find jeans withkit nickel-based buttons 🥲)
3
34
6
u/keechup 1d ago
I had an Apple Watch Series 3, that I couldn’t continue to wear as every single time it checked for my pulse using the infrared lights (or whatever those green lights are) it would send a really strange aching pain up my entire arm until it was over. I really like the Apple Watches but I don’t think I can ever wear one unless that’s fixed in the newer ones.
→ More replies (3)4
u/Aerodynamic_Soda_Can 1d ago
> the infrared lights (or whatever those green lights are) it would send a really strange aching pain up my entire arm
I don't think that's really how light works.
2
u/InfamousMaximum3170 1d ago edited 1d ago
To play devils advocate, I think it’s possible to have heightened awareness that can feel like what the comment OP described. However, I recognize that light still doesn’t work that way.
I wrote a paper on folk illnesses experienced by many Latin American cultures. Science can’t prove the illnesses but those that believe the folk illnesses, experience the symptoms and experience the relief brought by the supposed solution.
I also experienced this first hand. Grandma tapped my belly and said “estás empachado” and then I was sent to an aunt who gave me psyllium hulls (a laxative) and a massage.
You are proclaimed well once you go #2. I didn’t connect the dots of laxative and going #2 until I researched that paper. Also, of course you’re going to have stuff in your intestines and stomach that will make different sounds when you tap on a belly lol.
Furthermore, see “mal de ojo”
Lastly, I repeat, these illnesses have no scientific backing but my takeaway was the human mind is just that powerful. As someone that experienced it and is probably the most educated my bloodline has ever had by a long shot, I understand their reality. (Mom has a 4th grade, third world education she boasts about. She has no concept of abstract thought, doesn’t believe in the scientific method, believes something works just because of coincidence.)
Edit: I don’t mean to be disparaging with the 4th grade education comment. Reality is, women in her village didn’t have value outside of cooking, cleaning, and producing children. I understand why she’s proud of that. Boasts was not the right word to use there. However, it is frustrating when she lets her ignorance (understandable as it is) to get in the way of understanding basic modern concepts that would greatly aid her in her day to day. I love her and wish she’d see that she’s keeping herself in that state of misery and ignorance.
5
2
2
u/sailormermaidmars 1d ago
something similar happened to me and now I have a huge psoriasis patch. 🥹
2
u/Aetherion264 1d ago
Could be an allergic reaction to the nickel plating. I am allergic to nickel and that looks similar to hives/rashes I've had before.
Simple test (much cheaper than seeing a doctor for an allergist referral to have a metal contact allergy panel done) buy some cheap nickel plated jewelery, clean off the contact surface with soap and water. Then just wear it. If you get itchy and/or form a rash, you have your answer.
2
u/Needaboutreefiddy 1d ago
The most common irritant from wearing your watch at night is sweat getting trapped against your skin
2
2
2
2
u/Tank7997 1d ago
I don't think it has much to do with the IR light and more of the dirt and sweat that gets stuck under there. I get it with my Galaxy watch as well. But I get it both under the watch face and on the other side under the strap .
2
2
u/StarMaze 1d ago
I got my mom a fit bit and the same happened to her. She can't wear it because it caused this reaction. I'm also curious as to what the cause is.
2
u/halo_exe 1d ago
/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27622861/
I googled infrared induced urticaria because I was curious. Turns out it could be a real thing. I can't access the full research paper but this could be worth looking into?
Also, to note: I used to have a Huawei watch I would wear constantly. After about a month (during which I would take it off regularly to shower and stuff) I finally took it off for good after I realized it left me with a lesion that looked suspiciously like a burn right where the IR sensor was. Some people have more sensitive skin. Maybe take a break from your watch? That might help.
2
u/The-Almighty-Jay 1d ago
Mean's you need to wash ur wrist. It happens with smart watches with strong sensors. Just make sure u wash ur wrist and the watch, you might be better off investing in a metal breathable watch strap as that will help.
2
u/ChaosPeter 1d ago
My trick (other than washing and drying the wash thoroughly) is wearing the watch on the other wrist at night.
2
u/jsalami 23h ago
Does your before-bed routine include products (I.e cleanser, lotion, astringent) that you don’t use during the day? Even if it’s not going directly on your wrist, you could have something washing off and going onto your wrist. Lots of consumer care ingredients interact with uv light to cause irritation or hypersensitivity, I would imagine the same could be true for IR. That would explain why you only see it at night.
2
u/Flat_Bodybuilder_175 21h ago
I forgot about my nickel allergy. Was wondering why this apple watch was itching... i had to get my braces removed as a kid because they were fucking KILLING my stomach.
2
u/Muskogee 16h ago
I keep a roll of that beige self adhesive bandage wrap, and I'll cut a small square to put under the light. The sensor can still work through the bandage but it seems to give my skin a bit of a break. So long as I do this a few times a week, I don't get a rash.
2
2
3
u/Proletariat-Prince 1d ago
This is a pretty common complaint.
I have no idea why this happens to some people.
2
u/bhambelly 1d ago
It resolved itself after months for me, but it was a rough few months. I was really good about washing it and taking it off regularly, but my skin was so irritated under that silver circle.
4
10
u/Jenicillin 1d ago
You can actually get burns from IR. Maybe you are sensitive to that.
32
u/PM_ME_UR_GRITS 1d ago
The wattage and strobe duration isn't nearly high enough for that, almost any light wavelength can cause burns but the wattage of the diode would have to be an order of magnitude higher. Much more likely to be an allergy.
→ More replies (2)6
3
u/denise7410 1d ago
I had a friend, back in the day, who could only wear a Timex watch. Otherwise the battery would die within 24 hours! She was a ginger though, so….
2
2
2
u/Sharkbyte14 1d ago
It's not the IR light 🤦♂️
It's far more likely you're having some sort of reaction the the actual material of the watch
2
u/barrowrain 1d ago
Dont wear the galaxy watch over night so you dont get a Hive spot where the infrared light hits your wrist.
2
u/PragmaticSparks 1d ago
The galaxy watches burn some people. Look it up it's quite common and usually turning off the constant monitoring makes it go away. Just don't do the features that have real time or constant monitoring.
→ More replies (1)
1
u/CourteX64 1d ago
You should try cleaning out your watch. They can build up dead skin cells and other gross stuff over time, especially if you wear them all the time
→ More replies (2)
1
10.2k
u/BrandHeck 1d ago
I have a mild nickel allergy, so I have to coat my watch backs in a thin layer of clear nail polish. I wouldn't cover the IR lens with that material though. Plus it also probably destroys your warranty. Just mentioning it in case you get desperate.