TORONTO – An increasing number of Fitbit Force users are taking to the web to document symptoms of painful burn-like rashes on their arms that allegedly developed after wearing the device for prolonged periods of time.
Users with symptoms have taken to Twitter and the Fitbit user forums to document the rash or skin irritation – some including photos that show the affected area.
The bracelet-style fitness tracker – which retails for $130 – allows users to keep track of how many steps they’ve taken, distance traveled, and calories burned throughout the day.
Woodstock, Ont. Fitbit user Sandra Shank told Global News Tuesday that she is still recovering from a reaction to the device even after a week of not wearing it.
“I bounced it back and forth between wrists thinking it would clear up, but it happened on both arms.”
Shank said she eventually became so irritated by it that she tried wearing it over her clothing, but found it too bulky. She said her Fitbit is now sitting unused on her desk.
Shank’s description of the irritation appears to match what most users have been complaining about online.
Most allege that the rash starts on the skin that is touching the device’s metal area, which houses the battery, charging port, sensors and display unit.
“It started itchy and then it just started to feel like it was getting hotter,” Shank described the irritation, adding that it became red and bumpy.
A discussion forum on Fitbit’s website titled “Fitbit burned my arm” now has over 30 pages of users complaining about similar symptoms.
“The skin that touches the charger connector was very sensitive and hurts. If you rub your fingers along that part of the skin, it’s a very different texture, kind of feels like when you burn your hand on the stove and that skin dies,” wrote one user on the forum.
“Looks like a horrible burn. Started all bumpy and a different texture on my skin, then turned to a red rash and then turned bumpy and kept getting worse,” said another.
Fitbit did not immediately respond to a Global News request for comment but did say they are aware of the customer complaints.
In a statement to consumer-awareness news site the Consumerist the company said they were aware of the complaints.
“Fitbit wristbands are made of an elastomer material similar to many sports watches and do not contain latex. The Fitbit Force clasps and casing are made with a surgical-grade stainless steel, which is commonly used in watches, jewelry and other products in contact with the skin,” read the statement to the Consumerist.
“As with any jewelry or watch, numerous factors could cause a skin irritation, such as nickel sensitivity (surgical stainless steel is an alloy containing traces of nickel), reactions to bacteria that can accumulate in wristbands, or a sensitivity to the material of the band elastomer.”
The company added it would offer affected customers a refund or replacement tracker.
Some users on the forum noted that they tried wiping the device down with antibacterial wipes or solution, thinking that it was a buildup of bacteria from sweat and excessive use; however, many noted this didn’t solve the problem.
Others have also noted that they owned previous generations of Fitbit trackers and have not had a skin reaction to them. One user who included a picture of his rash said, “Over the years we’ve purchased many trackers from Fitbit and always recommended them to friends and family. Not so sure I can do that anymore.”
According to the Consumerist‘s article, one user said a nurse diagnosed them with “contact dermatitis” – a condition where the skin becomes red, sore, or inflamed due to an irritant or allergen.
Others in the Fitbit forum have speculated that the rash could be a reaction to nickel.
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