Skin burn/rash from wearing Venu

Had a similar thing happen all of a sudden wearing a Fitbit device 24/7 with the factory black rubber strap.

A solution for me was to replace the original strap for an aftermarket stainless steel Milanese style strap. They are quite affordable and worth a try.

Immediately after getting my Garmin Venu I got myself a Milanese strap.

I got the similar burn but from the sensor light, are there any comment and how to?

As mentioned, this should be reported to Garmin Support. Impossible to appropriately diagnose on the forum.

https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/healthandwellness/f/vivoactive-3-3-music/137677/rash-or-irritation-happening-on-my-wrist-by-the-vivoactive-3/967721#967721

I get that kind of irritation with any watch if I am not careful. The strap material matter a lot for me. For me the worst is with leather straps and metallic straps. Rubber is better. Silicon is the best for me.
I get this kind of issues when sweat gets between the skin and strap. If there is some dust as well, things can get bad quickly.

So, after each exercise or other activity that may lead to dust or sweat get between the strap and my skin, I clean my skin immediately and disinfect the watch strap with a little alcohol.

Let me give you some examples.
1. I may do some light gardening and dust may get on the strap. After I finish with the gardening, I wash my hands and use a little alcohol both on my skin and on the watch strap.
2. If I do a more intense exercise, like running, there may be no dust, but a lot of sweat. So after the exercise I immediately shower, without my watch on. Then I disinfect the watch straps with a little alcohol.

Another trick for me is to keep the watch straps a little lose. Hot enough to go overt the bone, but enough to let some air get between the strap and skin. When I start an exercise I usually fasten the straps one step.

I am experiencing the same issue.  After a day or 2 I get a skin rash - although it is more like a burn - around the whole wrist where the strap is in contact with the skin. Around the back of the wrist - I get blisters starting to form.

As suggested I contacted customer support about it.

After reporting the issue and waiting a week for a reply - I got a generic response about cleaning/drying, etc.

These were steps I had already tried after researching the problem.  I replied with the additional information they asked for and a photo.  Another week went by, then a reply suggesting problem was with the buckle and suggesting the same steps.

The buckle isn't the problem as the issue affects the whole wrist around the strap area. In fact, the only area where there is less irritation is where the buckle is.

They didn't bother looking at the information or the photo I provided.  They then just closed the ticket.

Probably the worst customer support I have ever experienced in a very long time.

I just received another email from support - replying to my "rate our customer support" email I received after the ticket was closed.

The email was a reply to my earlier reply to their questions.

They asked exactly the same question I had originally replied to..

Garmin - If customer support is a joke - just remove the auto reply bot.  It's doing you far more harm than good.

The problem with this is there is no method or avenue on the support page to address this issue. The forums are the best place...

You should see (depending on your location and time of day) options to chat or call.

The problem with this is there is no method or avenue on the support page to address this issue. The forums are the best place...

Former Member

We will need you to use the call or chat options on the Support Page as Seilogramp mentioned. We take complaints of skin irritation or even just discomfort very seriously, but we will need to ask for some information from you that we would not request through the forums. Directly contacting us at the link above is the best, and only option. 

They didn't bother looking at the information or the photo I provided.  They then just closed the ticket.

Probably the worst customer support I have ever experienced in a very long time.

Former Member

I am truly sorry that you were not satisfied with your Support experience, and I hope we can improve this for you in the future. 

I am seeing an order that was created to send you a replacement strap of a different material.  No tickets were closed or ignored. If you continue to have any questions or concerns, please respond to the email that we sent out on May 19th, as this will help consolidate your customer support history.