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Original poster

Anyone else get skin irritation from watch strap?

19 replies

Jemster · 28/02/2015 08:34

My dh bought me a lovely watch a few years ago but my skin seems to be reacting to the metal. I have had to stop wearing it.
Has anyone else had this happen & what kind of watch could I wear instead?

OP posts:

321zerobaby · 28/02/2015 08:52

Yes that happened to me, also the button on jeans irritates my stomach. I have a couple of gold watches that don't irritate my wrist, but the days I don't wear a watch, just rely on my phone for the time. What about a Swatch watch with a plastic strap? Or try painting the metal bit of your watch with clear nail varnish, see if that helps.

bonzo77 · 28/02/2015 08:54

Get a plastic watch. But sometimes the battery cover is metal. Or stop wearing one. I haven't worn one for 15 years. Never makes me late.

OddBoots · 28/02/2015 08:57

I do, for all waterproof kinds of straps, I can wear leather (if I put micropore tape on the back of the watch itself). I really love my pebble smart watch so in order to wear it I bought a tubular bandage and cut a bit the right width to wear under my watch each day. It's not a stylish answer though.

Imscarlet · 28/02/2015 08:57

It's a nickel allergy. Look for products that are nickel free. I have the same problem. I can't wear cheap earrings or necklaces (I had an awful track left on my skin from a bridesmaid necklace I was forced to wear. I had to throw out a lovely pair of boots where the zip reacted with my skin. It's a pain.

DancingDinosaur · 28/02/2015 09:12

I have this as well. I can't wear jeans, watches or jewelry with nickel in. It is a pain but I've got used to avoilding now.

Original poster

Jemster · 28/02/2015 09:42

Thanks yes I have just been going without but kind of miss wearing a watch. Also it seems like such a waste of money as it's a nice watch. I did think about plastic but thought the same that there might be metal where battery goes. Willhave a google & see what there is.

OP posts:

FrugalFashionista · 28/02/2015 10:50

Jemster normally you can change the strap of the watch. Should not be super expensive, ask your local shop. Men do this all the time. They can put in a leather strap or something else. There is also this liquid shield that is you can use for jewellery to make it nickel-allergy free.

maybemyrtle · 28/02/2015 11:17

I'm also allergic to nickel but don't seem to suffer as much these days. Not sure if I've adapted to avoid it or if it's so common that manufacturers have stopped using it as much? I never get irritation from jeans any more for example and that used to be a real problem.

Agree that using micropore helps.

catnipkitty · 28/02/2015 11:18

I have this as well - watches, non-silver or gold earrings, belt buckle, jeans button. I haven't worn a watch for year and always have to have a t-shirt tucked in to my jeans to stop skin contact.

Original poster

Jemster · 28/02/2015 11:32

Thanks for the idea Frugal but it seems to be the actual watch part as well that irritates as well as the strap. DH bought me some lovely diamond studs too & can't wear them now either, most annoying!!

OP posts:

FrugalFashionista · 28/02/2015 12:15

Well you could get either a ceramic or plastic watch. But I'd try the jewellery shield first, DH treated his glasses with it (itchy rash on the bridge of his nose) and it helped.

DoctorDonnaNoble · 28/02/2015 12:23

I have this with pretty much every type of watch. So I don't wear one. Unless OFSTED are coming and then I wear a fabric strap one.

BringMeTea · 28/02/2015 12:37

Another allergic to nickel here. Haven't worn a watch for 20 years. DH bought me one for Christmas and no problems. Christopher Ward. Think it must be stainless steel? So. There are watches out there with no nickel. It is a pain. We bought an antique engagement ring. White gold. Did not know antique white gold contains nickel. Cannot wear it. Had shank changed but there is a spot near the top that is still causing a reaction. Had rhodium plating. To no avail. .

MissMuffetisin · 28/02/2015 12:40

Sounds silly, but you could just try wearing it on a looser fitting - this did actually work for me . Think it's the reaction between sweat behind the watch and the metal that causes the irritation.

MissMuffetisin · 28/02/2015 12:41

I now have a Mondaine which I love and can wear tighter

bobs123 · 28/02/2015 12:42

I echo another poster in that painting the inside of the strap with clear nail varnish helps

NorbertDentressangle · 28/02/2015 12:46

DP has a nickel allergy too. His solution watch-wise is to wear a (very 1970/80s looking!) digital watch with a rubbery strap with a plastic buckle and watch casing.

He tends to use gaffer tape on the back of the button on his jeans or will sometimes paint them with my nail varnish.

Fayrazzled · 28/02/2015 12:59

I get this too; but funnily enough it is leather and plastic watch straps that make me react. I have been fine with a metal (stainless steel, I presume) watch strap.

CointreauVersial · 28/02/2015 17:04

Just paint the back of the buckle with clear nail varnish. Works a treat.

I did this for years, as I always used to react to nickel (although weirdly I grew out of it).

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