Itchy under your smartwatch: new study reveals why

Not knowing what your strap is made of can cause long-term harm.

With 455 million smartwatch users worldwide, this type of wearable has become an essential part of our everyday lives.

While we know a lot about the features and capabilities of the device, we might not understand what impact it has on us when it comes to physical implications.

For instance, when I first got my Apple Watch, I didn’t think much when I noticed a rash on my wrist, thinking that it was me who didn’t “respond” well to the material. I changed the band after a while, not thinking much about why this happened or what the strap was made of.

Two of my colleagues who wear Garmin smartwatches have complained about skin irritation, too.

“When I just started wearing the watch, I thought it would take time for my skin to get used to the feeling. However, it’s been a year, and it is still sometimes annoyingly itchy. For the record, I was also itching under my old Apple Watch Series 6, so I figured that’s just my thing until I heard more testimonies,” one of them said.

It has been previously reported that straps and bands that come with wearable devices harbor bacteria. You might’ve been told that you can simply maintain your wearables by cleaning them or changing the straps occasionally, but this might not be enough.

A recent study published by ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters revealed that straps that come with wrist-worn devices include perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA). This material is found in fluoroelastomer, or synthetic rubber, bands that are sold by various well-known companies.

During the study, researchers tested smartwatch straps from brands like Apple, Samsung, Google, Fitbit, and CASETiFY.

Watch bands made from fluoroelastomers are known to be durable, as they can withstand high temperatures, various chemicals, and abrasion. However, their endurance also impacts people’s health. While Garmin models were not included in the study, most of the models are also made using fluoroelastomers.

PFHxA, also known as the “forever chemical,” can be found in many products nowadays, even soil and water. However, exceeding the norms of its exposure can cause serious health issues related to the immune system, thyroid, liver, and more.

The research reveals that high concentrations of PFHxA can also be retrieved from watch bands made from fluoroelastomers, especially since many users wear them 24/7 to monitor activities such as heart rate and sleep.

Considering that smartwatches are popular among fitness enthusiasts, this group of people is also exposed to high levels of PFHxA since it’s absorbed through the skin, entering the bloodstream.

The study further showed that more expensive watch bands contained more harmful chemicals than cheaper ones.

The analysis of 22 watch straps revealed that PFHxA is the most common forever chemical found in nine bands. The analyzed data also revealed that the average PFHxA concentration was four times higher than that found in cosmetic products.