topic Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists in Wellness

Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

dooBdoo — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 17:20:07 GMT

A heads up for those using the Fitbit Charge and/or Surge, from The Consumerist, 2/12/15:

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"It was thirteen months ago that we heard the first reports of serious skin problems caused by the Fitbit Force wristband. Since then, Fitbit has introduced a new generation of trackers and fitness watches, adding a pretty strong warning label to them about the possibility of allergic reactions. The new batch of products has led to a new batch of complaints.

One group of co-workers are well positioned to notice common problems with the new trackers, since they all received them from their employer as a holiday gift. Two people in the same office noticed rashes on the wrist where they wear the tracker, and took their concerns to TV station KGO.

They say that they contacted Fitbit, the company apologized and asked whether the users needed to see a doctor.

Fitbit explained to KGO’s Michael Finney in a statement that the company changed factors that they suspected caused skin irritation issues with the Force: they used less of a certain adhesive, and the new trackers also contain less nickel than the Force.

Users are also warned that wearing the band too tight or getting moisture under it may cause skin problems. Yet the people complaining to KGO of issues say that they kept their wrists clean, their bands loose, and their skin dry.

Users of both new bands, the Charge and Surge, complain of skin irritation.

If you encounter problems with a fitness tracker of any brand, contact the company with your complaints, and be sure to file an incident report with the Consumer Products Safety Commission.

7 ON YOUR SIDE: FITBIT RELEASES NEW TRACKERS, RASH PROBLEM REMAINS [KGO]"

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link: http://consumerist.com/2015/02/12/users-complain-of-rashes-from-fitbit-charge-told-to-air-out-their-wrists/

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

terrier3 — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 18:25:23 GMT

I had a Zip for 2 years...now have a One.

NO problems, because they hook on to clothes.

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

september — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 19:26:48 GMT

I've had the One for 2+ years, and like terrier mentioned.....no problems.

I wouldn't want to wear a wrist device, and am unsure as to why these are so popular. Not for me.

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

jessa — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 18:54:24 GMT

On 2/13/2015 september said:
I've had the One for 2+ years, and like terrier mentioned.....no problems.

I wouldn't want to wear a wrist device, and am unsure as to why these are so popular. Not for me.

^^^^this

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

GCR18 — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 19:02:40 GMT

I have a flex. I can see where one could get a rash. I don't wear mine in the shower or when I submerge my hands in water. I haven't had any issues.

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

Oostende — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 19:26:43 GMT

I've got the Flex, too. I've never had a problem. I don't strap it on so tightly during the day that it obstructs the air flow around my wrist. I loosen it further when I sleep at night.

I love mine.

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

FastDogWalker2 — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 19:40:37 GMT

On 2/14/2015 Oostende said:
I've got the Flex, too. I've never had a problem. I don't strap it on so tightly during the day that it obstructs the air flow around my wrist. I loosen it further when I sleep at night.

I love mine.

That's what I do too. No problems and I love it!

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

So Happy Girl — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 21:10:49 GMT

I got the Flex as a TSV in June and it really motivates me, I have lost 22 pounds since I purchased it, 8 more and I am back to my high school weight.

That said, I only take it off when I am bathing or charging.

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

Pagan — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 21:33:36 GMT

Anything made of plastic/silicon/rubber worn tight on your wrist like this is going to have that effect.

It's because the skin can't breathe. There's nothing sinister going on.

The cynic in me suspects there'll be a lot more of these complaints in the run up to the Apple watch launch as buyer's remorse sets in and people try to get their money back.

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

Bird — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 02:15:25 GMT

I developed a rash from my Flex and haven't used it for 2 months.

- Bird

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

newziesuzie — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 01:26:37 GMT

On 2/14/2015 The Bird said:
I developed a rash from my Flex and haven't used it for 2 months.

- Bird

I've seen lots of reports of this from the different wrist band wearers and it was before the newer ones like Apple were known to be in the works.

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

santorini — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 01:32:14 GMT

At first I thought the device needed to be in contact with skin to be able to read correctly and I wore it tighter than I should have. Once I realized it did not need to contact the skin, I now wear it like a bangle bracelet (very loose). A friend of mine has a very large wrist and the largest band was too small. She showed me a very bad sore right where the device rubbed. I think it just needs to be emphasized that the bracelet should fit very loosely.

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

NoelSeven — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 02:58:08 GMT

Hi dBd!

I was just writing about that! Our local consumer reporter has been following the problems for months. The rash gets really bad for people, they've been showing it on TV, up close and personal.

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

NoelSeven — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 02:59:46 GMT

On 2/14/2015 Pagan said:
Anything made of plastic/silicon/rubber worn tight on your wrist like this is going to have that effect.

It's because the skin can't breathe. There's nothing sinister going on.

The cynic in me suspects there'll be a lot more of these complaints in the run up to the Apple watch launch as buyer's remorse sets in and people try to get their money back.

The people reporting the rash on our local news were not wearing it tightly. They made a point of that, especially when they tried the new one and still got a rash.

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

!FitChick! — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 03:56:35 GMT

I don't like rubber or silicone on my skin- I would not like a fitbit, just like I don't like the wrist things that you get from charity events. My niece likes to make me braided rubber band bracelets - it's the thought that counts. I have my clients take off all their jewlery before they wash their hands and make sure they dry their hands really well before putting ANY jewelry back on- I've gotten a rash on my ring finger when I didn't take my ring off before getting my hands wet.

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

bonnielu — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 03:57:41 GMT

No problems with rash. I have problems making the band snap closed. I wear mine night and day and shower in it.

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

Crisso — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 03:58:53 GMT

Some people are just allergic to exercise! Kidding!

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

kzeks — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 03:58:53 GMT

Some people who washed theirs wrists and kept

them dry and followed all instructions ..STILL got

a fungus on their wrists...

Re: Users Complain Of Rashes From Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, Told To Air Out Their Wrists

kzeks — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 04:03:11 GMT

Look AT THIS PROBLEM>>>

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/hairband.asp