This discussion has been locked.

You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Irritation from sensor

Former Member over 5 years ago

I have had the Fenix 5s sapphire since September 2018. I have worn it every day and every night and never had a problem until recently. This past October (2019), I noticed a few bumps in a perfect circle directly under the watch face. I thought it was from a race I did in the cold rain so I just cleaned it and removed it. I left it off for a few days and then went back to wearing it 24/7. Things didn’t go away, they got worse!!! I am training for a full Ironman and depend on this watch for data. I now only wear it when I absolutely have to and I miss it so much. I even occasionally wear a huge bandaid under if I’m not swimming in the pool. Now, I always wipe the watch down with alcohol and let dry overnight. When I stop wearing it, the bumps on my skin subside and my arm gets super dry and red. As soon as I put the watch back on I get more bumps almost like blisters. I’ve tried switching arms but at first sight of the same bumps in a circle pattern I stopped wearing it on that arm so at least I would have one “non gross” wrist. I cannot keep wearing it but I don’t understand how after an uninterrupted year of wearing it with no problems why now is it an issue. These watches keep getting more and more expensive and with race fees and my coach and everything else involved in triathlon, another $600 watch was not in my financial plan this year. Truthfully I love this watch so much I would want to purchase the same one again. I’m desperate for a solution! I need to see my dermatologist to get something to help heal my arm as now I’m afraid of scarring. Any similar stories or solutions on how to get my skin back and protect it from happening again? Please help!

Top Replies

All Replies

0 Fozzy over 5 years ago

I had irritation from my fenix 5 sensor just randomly starting on my left wrist. I was lucky in that I was able to switch wrists and not have an issue on my right arm so at least the left was able to heal, and it doesn't sound as severe as yours.

To be honest you're already doing what I would have suggested but here's how I keep on top of it.

Ongoing I have issues with the strap causing irritation and I have to wash both my watch and wrists with antibacterial soap pretty much once a day (and after activities) and drying it thoroughly before putting back on, to stop any irritation. Also, when not working out I wear it one notch looser.

This keeps on top of it and I only now have any irritation if I forget after a run or something.

It was super frustrating though and I definitely feel your pain, I hope you manage to work it out - also good luck with the ironman.

0 Former Member over 5 years ago

This also happens to me but only on my right wrist if i wear the watch more than a day. Does not happen on my left wrist. Even so, i still try to rotate wrists for shorter periods; like during the day its on my left wrist but at night i switch to my right.

0 Roadracer1 over 5 years ago

I have the same. Only wear it now on runs and swimming. For the bike I use the edge (another problem that you can not combined training status in Garmin connect) there appear to be couple people that have this issue with the skin. Is there official feedback from Garmin?

0 Doktorko over 5 years ago in reply to Roadracer1

I have the same issue. Having my watch from April 2017, was wearing it continuously day and night and just now, after 3 years I realize that I have red spot with peeling skin under the watch in size of sensor. I stopped wearing watch on left hand and switch to right hand. It got a bit better and not disappeared. Now I wear the watch on left hand only when doing sport and it is not worsening so it is OK for me. I would like to add, that I am used for years to have watch worn on my hand continuously and with stainless steel watches or watches with sapphire glass on the back I have never had an issue.

I am wondering if it is caused by material of sensor after some period of time, or what was wrong, but it looks I am not the only one having issues.

0 subra over 5 years ago in reply to Doktorko

After 3 years of wearing without any discomforts, maybe the reason isn't the watch. Rather it seems to be an infection of the skin due to bacteria, or irritation of the skin due to sweat. Be sure to thoroughly clean and care the skin under the watch.

0 Doktorko over 5 years ago in reply to subra

Thanks and good to hear you have no issues.

Of course I washed my hands and watch regularly and after each sport activity and it happened to me. Anyway it is quite ok now, not big and not worse, getting smaller.