Samsung watch Pro 5 Allergic reaction to watch

[Jane Kear]

I Got this watch as a replacement for my Samsung active watch 3. I got the new watch from Curry on the 8th of July, 2023, so I set it up and put it on my wrist. Within a couple of hours, my wrist had a large blister. As you can see from the attached photo, I am unsure what I can do about this. Can anyone please help me? The blister is very painful.

[JordanS]

You have done the right thing bringing this to our attention,  @Jane Kear . We take matters like this very seriously. Please drop us a message to our @Sam_UK so we can get this raised to the correct department for investigation. 

To drop us a message, please select your profile icon in the top right > Messages > Tap the round icon with a square and pencil inside. 

[ben8998]

That looks nasty

[Jane Kear]

Hi Jordan I have sent you a message as requested by yourself 

[Jane Kear]

And it's very sore as well, considering I had worn a Samsung smartwatch for many years in the past, I did not think I would have a problem with Samsung Pro 5 version, but as you can see, I have, and that was just after a couple of hours. So as it stands right now, I have a brand new watch that I can not wear and is not cheap.

[Members_j5GsS5i]

I got a Galaxy Watch5 Pro also, on 6 June 2023 - it gives me similar liquid blisters, but not as large.

I was assuming that the metal back of the watch is regular stainless steel - but there must be a jointing compound of some sort around the window where the LED light comes from...

Regular stainless steel watch backs and straps have never given me a problem - I have Certina and Citizen stainless steel watches and straps with never any problem.

We need to know what is causing this skin reaction.  I haven't worn the watch since mid-June - it takes over a week for the blisters to go away.

I will contact Samsung UK as directed by JordanS.

[Members_j5GsS5i]

Well, I've been doing some experiments...

I wore the watch for 2 days continuously - only taking it off to wash - but switched-off.  No effect on my skin at all!

I don't think that this is an allergy - I suspect either a thermal burn, or some reaction to the green LED light from the sensor.  When I got the water blister, I had configured the watch to measure my heart rate continuously, and also to monitor my sleep - including blood oxygen levels.

I've seen elsewhere that there have been problems with the lithium batteries overheating in some circumstances..?

In spite of advice from JordanS (moderator) I have still not received any acknowledgement or response from Samsung UK...  😞

I'm tempted to put the watch on (activated as before), wait for the blister to appear - then seek my GP's opinion...

[Members_j5GsS5i]

Correction!  AndrewL (Samsung UK) replied with a private message - but I hadn't got an email notification.

As requested, I have provided watch details and contact details - and will see what happens next...

[Jane Kear]

I would not put the watch back on. I sent my watch back to Samsung. I was offered a refund, but that does not cover the damage that the watch did to me, so I requested the watch back and going to seek legal advice.

[Members_j5GsS5i]

Received a call from Samsung UK yesterday...

They asked a lot of questions about how it's being used/worn, exercise, cleaning etc.  I told them the results of my experiment...  They wanted me to return the watch for examination...  I advised, for now, that I would first seek advice from health & safety colleagues - some of whom have measuring equipment.

Not letting it out of my sight until experts have checked it out.