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Is your activity tracker giving you a rash?

By Wong Chung Wee - on 13 Feb 2015, 11:32am

Is your activity tracker giving you a rash?

(Source: Fitbit)

According to a report from Re/code, Fitibit’s activity trackers have a history of causing rashes due to contact allergy. The National Skin Centre defines contact allergy as “an allergic skin reaction from contact with a substance that is usually harmless to others.” In February 2014, the Fitbit Force was voluntarily recalled due to user complaints of skin irritation. Fast forward a year, its new Surge band appears to be plagued by the same complaints of contact allergy.

In response, Re/code reported that a Fitbit representative issued a statement that stated the company’s awareness of the problem and it is confined to a “very limited percentage of users.” The rep also added the affected users were most likely wearing the device too tight to their skin causing perspiration, water, or soap to be trapped by the device’s band. This may bring about the onset of contact allergy. Therefore, the company has advised taking a break from “wearing the wearable” until the skin irritation has subsided.

As a result of past experiences, Fitbit has set up some usage guidelines that have been outlined by their board of certified dermatologists. We believe that, for some folks, contact allergy isn’t limited to tight-fitting activity trackers as any ill-fitting accessory will cause skin irritations if they are worn for long periods of time. Following Fitbit’s wear and care guidelines, as well as exercising some common sense, are key to wearing your activity tracker without getting a nasty rash. However, if the rash persists in spite of your good efforts, a visit to the doctor's office is in order.

(Source: Fitbit (1) (2) via Re/Code, National Skin Centre)

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