The Dark Side of Smartwatches: Potential Risks and How to Stay Safe
- Replies 7
Do you ever feel like you could use a personal assistant to help you manage your health and stay connected with loved ones?
Well, good news - smartwatches can do just that! And they're not just for the tech-savvy youngsters, smartwatches are also a game-changer for older adults.
Think about it - smartwatches can be like your own personal health coach! With features like heart rate monitoring, step counting, and sleep tracking, you can stay on top of your well-being like never before.
For those who need to take medication regularly, smartwatches can even remind you to take your pills on time! Plus, with emergency alerts, you can feel safe and secure knowing that help is just a tap away.
But that's not all! Smartwatches also keep you connected to the world around you.
Need to make a call or send a quick message? No problem! Smartwatches have got you covered. And when you're out and about, you can access important information right from your wrist.
However, before you jump on the smartwatch bandwagon, it's important to be aware of some recent concerns regarding their safety.
One Polar Ignite (a brand of fitness smartwatch) user shared a scary experience on Facebook after waking up to a burn in the shape of her watch on her wrist. Yikes!
'I love my Polar Ignite and I've used it all day for almost three years,' the woman wrote in her post. 'But today I woke up with this burn. Did it happen to anyone? I already contacted customer service.'
After the smartwatch user shared her burn incident on Facebook, others started coming forward with their own experiences.
One fellow Ignite owner shared that they too noticed redness in the same spot as the burn on the original post and stopped sleeping with their watch. Another fitness watch owner even shared a picture of their healed scar, claiming that they had a similar experience with their device.
But that's not all - another owner claimed that their smartwatch gave them 'shooting pains' up their arm when they wore it! They even mentioned that their friends had similar issues, and while they did receive a refund, the company denied any further claims.
In a statement to a news outlet, Polar said they are looking into the matter at hand.
'We have been made aware of a customer's recent experience with a Polar watch and are in contact with the customer to get the watch for further investigation,' said a spokesperson, adding that the company takes allegations like these very seriously.
It's clear that there's some cause for concern when it comes to the safety of smartwatches. While they offer amazing features that can improve our lives, it's important to prioritise our health and well-being above all else.
Stay informed, be cautious, and if you notice any redness or discomfort, it's probably best to take your watch off and speak with customer service. Let's all stay safe and healthy out there!
According to the Polar website, devices with wrist-based heart rate measurements are meant to be worn all day and night.
However, they do acknowledge that in rare cases, users with sensitive skin might experience irritation caused by the wrist strap buckle or strap itself, or by the OHR sensor of the heart rate monitor.
So, what's causing this irritation? In most cases, it's said to be either chemical or sweat-induced. That makes sense - we all have different skin types and react to things differently, so it's not surprising that some people might experience discomfort with their smartwatches.
The website also listed some tips on how to avoid skin irritation.
Wash & dry
First things first, your smartwatch needs a good scrub down too. But don't worry, it's a piece of cake; just grab some mild soap and water, and give it a good rinse. Make sure to get in all the nooks and crannies! And if your watch has a removable wristband, be sure to wash that too, but let them dry separately before putting them back together.
There's also something about wearing your watch in the water. We all love a good swim or shower, but it's important to be mindful of how long you keep that wet wristband on. Your skin needs to breathe! So make sure to dry off your smartwatch and your arm before strapping the device back on.
Loosen & switch wrists
As mentioned above, wearing a wristband for a prolonged time can make our skin feel suffocated and itchy. So, it's essential to let our arms breathe by taking breaks from wearing tight wristbands. We can do this by loosening the band periodically, especially when we're not actively using it.
If you're someone who wears a smartwatch wristband all the time, you might want to consider switching it up a bit. We recommend moving the device to your other wrist before going to bed. Also, it's a good idea to change the position of the device on your wrist from time to time. And don't forget to give your skin a rest by removing the wristband completely every now and then!
Other points to consider
It's important to avoid applying any products like perfume, lotion, sunscreen, or insect repellent on the area where you wear your watch. These chemicals can cause skin irritation or damage the device. In case your watch comes into contact with any of these products, make sure to clean it with mild soap and water and rinse it thoroughly.
If you have any cuts, scratches, or sores in the area where you wear your watch, make sure to tend to them before putting on the device. These areas can become irritated by sweat and cause discomfort.
If you feel like your current strap material is irritating your skin, you can try another one that might be more comfortable for you. There are many options available, such as leather, fabric, or silicone.
If you experience skin irritation while wearing your device, it's best to stop using it until your skin has fully healed. If the problem persists or gets worse, we recommend consulting a dermatologist who can provide you with personalised advice and treatment.
That being said, it's still crucial to stay aware and informed about the potential risks of new technology. While smartwatches can offer incredible benefits, it's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to our health.
So, if you're experiencing any discomfort or irritation while wearing your smartwatch, don't hesitate to take it off and speak with customer service. After all, health and well-being should always come first!
We hope you found this article helpful, folks! Are you a regular smartwatch wearer? Or are you just looking to give the device a try? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Well, good news - smartwatches can do just that! And they're not just for the tech-savvy youngsters, smartwatches are also a game-changer for older adults.
Think about it - smartwatches can be like your own personal health coach! With features like heart rate monitoring, step counting, and sleep tracking, you can stay on top of your well-being like never before.
For those who need to take medication regularly, smartwatches can even remind you to take your pills on time! Plus, with emergency alerts, you can feel safe and secure knowing that help is just a tap away.
But that's not all! Smartwatches also keep you connected to the world around you.
Need to make a call or send a quick message? No problem! Smartwatches have got you covered. And when you're out and about, you can access important information right from your wrist.
Smartwatches have become increasingly popular in recent times, with fitness enthusiasts using them to track their daily activity. Credit: Unsplash/Luke Chesser.
However, before you jump on the smartwatch bandwagon, it's important to be aware of some recent concerns regarding their safety.
One Polar Ignite (a brand of fitness smartwatch) user shared a scary experience on Facebook after waking up to a burn in the shape of her watch on her wrist. Yikes!
'I love my Polar Ignite and I've used it all day for almost three years,' the woman wrote in her post. 'But today I woke up with this burn. Did it happen to anyone? I already contacted customer service.'
After the smartwatch user shared her burn incident on Facebook, others started coming forward with their own experiences.
One fellow Ignite owner shared that they too noticed redness in the same spot as the burn on the original post and stopped sleeping with their watch. Another fitness watch owner even shared a picture of their healed scar, claiming that they had a similar experience with their device.
A woman has sparked concerns among fellow smartwatch users after a watch-shaped mark appeared on her wrist. Credit: Facebook
But that's not all - another owner claimed that their smartwatch gave them 'shooting pains' up their arm when they wore it! They even mentioned that their friends had similar issues, and while they did receive a refund, the company denied any further claims.
In a statement to a news outlet, Polar said they are looking into the matter at hand.
'We have been made aware of a customer's recent experience with a Polar watch and are in contact with the customer to get the watch for further investigation,' said a spokesperson, adding that the company takes allegations like these very seriously.
It's clear that there's some cause for concern when it comes to the safety of smartwatches. While they offer amazing features that can improve our lives, it's important to prioritise our health and well-being above all else.
Stay informed, be cautious, and if you notice any redness or discomfort, it's probably best to take your watch off and speak with customer service. Let's all stay safe and healthy out there!
However, they do acknowledge that in rare cases, users with sensitive skin might experience irritation caused by the wrist strap buckle or strap itself, or by the OHR sensor of the heart rate monitor.
So, what's causing this irritation? In most cases, it's said to be either chemical or sweat-induced. That makes sense - we all have different skin types and react to things differently, so it's not surprising that some people might experience discomfort with their smartwatches.
In rare cases, smartwatch users with sensitive skin might experience skin irritation. Credit: Unsplash/Towfiqu barbhuiya.
The website also listed some tips on how to avoid skin irritation.
Wash & dry
First things first, your smartwatch needs a good scrub down too. But don't worry, it's a piece of cake; just grab some mild soap and water, and give it a good rinse. Make sure to get in all the nooks and crannies! And if your watch has a removable wristband, be sure to wash that too, but let them dry separately before putting them back together.
There's also something about wearing your watch in the water. We all love a good swim or shower, but it's important to be mindful of how long you keep that wet wristband on. Your skin needs to breathe! So make sure to dry off your smartwatch and your arm before strapping the device back on.
Loosen & switch wrists
As mentioned above, wearing a wristband for a prolonged time can make our skin feel suffocated and itchy. So, it's essential to let our arms breathe by taking breaks from wearing tight wristbands. We can do this by loosening the band periodically, especially when we're not actively using it.
If you're someone who wears a smartwatch wristband all the time, you might want to consider switching it up a bit. We recommend moving the device to your other wrist before going to bed. Also, it's a good idea to change the position of the device on your wrist from time to time. And don't forget to give your skin a rest by removing the wristband completely every now and then!
Smartwatches are becoming increasingly popular, and it is important to be aware of any risks associated with wearing them. Credit: Unsplash/Blocks Fletcher.
Other points to consider
It's important to avoid applying any products like perfume, lotion, sunscreen, or insect repellent on the area where you wear your watch. These chemicals can cause skin irritation or damage the device. In case your watch comes into contact with any of these products, make sure to clean it with mild soap and water and rinse it thoroughly.
If you have any cuts, scratches, or sores in the area where you wear your watch, make sure to tend to them before putting on the device. These areas can become irritated by sweat and cause discomfort.
If you feel like your current strap material is irritating your skin, you can try another one that might be more comfortable for you. There are many options available, such as leather, fabric, or silicone.
If you experience skin irritation while wearing your device, it's best to stop using it until your skin has fully healed. If the problem persists or gets worse, we recommend consulting a dermatologist who can provide you with personalised advice and treatment.
That being said, it's still crucial to stay aware and informed about the potential risks of new technology. While smartwatches can offer incredible benefits, it's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to our health.
So, if you're experiencing any discomfort or irritation while wearing your smartwatch, don't hesitate to take it off and speak with customer service. After all, health and well-being should always come first!
We hope you found this article helpful, folks! Are you a regular smartwatch wearer? Or are you just looking to give the device a try? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
.png){kind=icon}
