this claim is mostly true but misleading. There is evidence that Apple Watches can be associated with skin irritation, rashes, and in some reported cases burns, but saying the Apple Watch is causing skin rashes and burn marks makes it sound like this happens to everyone or that the watch itself is definitively defective.
Apple's own safety information says that Apple Watch and its charging accessories meet applicable temperature standards, but also warns that prolonged contact with warm surfaces can cause discomfort or injury. Apple specifically recommends taking the watch off if it becomes uncomfortably warm.
The FDA database contains a 2026 voluntary report from a person who said they experienced redness, tenderness, and peeling skin where their Apple Watch contacted their wrist. This is evidence that an individual reported a possible thermal injury, but because it is a voluntary report, it does not by itself establish that the Apple Watch caused the injury.
Another FDA report from 2023 describes a person who developed a severe rash after wearing an Apple Watch. The report also describes another person developing redness and irritation after wearing the same watch, although these are individual reports and don't establish how common the problem is.
Researchers documented a case where a woman developed a rash directly underneath her Apple Watch. Testing showed that she had a nickel allergy, and her rash improved after she stopped wearing the watch and returned after she wore it again. This supports the idea that Apple Watches can cause skin reactions in some people, but it also shows that the reaction can be related to an individual's allergy rather than the watch simply “burning” the skin.
