Rash from Fitbit Flex?

kelly_c_77

I've had my Fitbit Flex for 2 months now and I love it. My only problem is that I now have a pretty bad rash from wearing it on my wrist every day. I've tried switching to the other side to give my dominant wrist a break and it clears up a little but it's still pretty bad. I don't want to give up wearing it! I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem or what I can do to prevent it from getting worse. Thanks!

mjslingsby

I'd be surprised if you were allergic to the band itself. I've been fine with mine, but chose not to wear it in the shower even though FitBit claim you can. Maybe you are getting a build-up of soap/cosmetic material under or inside the band which is causing an irritation when you get warm.

I'd suggest washing the band with a gentle soap and rinsing thoroughly. Then avoid using it in water (shower/swimming etc) and leave it off overnight until the rash clears. Of course, if the rash doesn't improve you should seek professional advice.

kelly_c_77

Thanks for the reply! I thought the same thing about the shower..I still leave it on but take it off and dry it underneath thoroughly before putting it back on. I guess maybe I could try leaving it off overnight but I like how it tracks my sleep so it would be a bummer to not get that info.

Sabine_Stroehm

How tight are you wearing it? I can easily fit 2 fingers between mine and my skin and haven't had any issues with rash, or with getting soap and what not caught under it.

You could wear it in your pocket for a few days. Probably not nearly as accurate, but better than nothing I'd bet.

kelly_c_77

I don't wear it super tight. I can easily slip a finger under it. I wasn't sure if it had to be a bit snug to work... I guess maybe I could loosen it one more notch and see how that works. Thanks for your response!

Sabine_Stroehm

I don't wear it super tight. I can easily slip a finger under it. I wasn't sure if it had to be a bit snug to work... I guess maybe I could loosen it one more notch and see how that works. Thanks for your response!

let us know if it improves!

ze_hombre

I have eczema and break out under the Flex band as well. You might want to have a doctor look at the rash and see if you do as well. For me I have to put a little dab of steroid cream on it every few days to keep it from getting bad.

Bekahmardis

I wear mine all the time, but do notice a slight rash if I'm sweating excessively under it or if I shower with it. So I take it off when I shower, dry my wrist, then put it back on. After a run, I will take it off, RINSE IT off, then thoroughly dry it before putting it back on. I haven't gotten a red spot for quite a while now.

kelly_c_77

Thanks for the responses! Glad to see I'm not the only one!

jabbarugby

I have been following this blog, as it seems lots of people have the same issue with the fitbit. one suggestion is to spray hairspray on the band to create a barrier?

http://www.blog.thehealthcloud.co.uk/2013/06/my-fitbit-flex-review-comparision.html#gpluscomments

kelly_c_77

Thanks! I'll have to try that! The rash has gotten better...but it's still there.

spitfyre6e6

you're probably allergic to the nickel in the band

from fitbit website:

"The Force wristband is made of flexible, durable elastomer material that is comfortable enough to wear all day. It also contains one surgical-grade stainless steel clasp used to fasten the wristband. The clasp contains nickel."

kelly_c_77

The part of my wrist that gets the rash is right under where the part where the FitBit lights up. The clasp is around the other side of my wrist...no rash there. Thanks for your info though!

lilgia

No idea if this will help. But I have sensitive skin. And with jewelry I will break out in a rash. I use a thin layer of clear nailpolish on the part that touches my skin.

kelly_c_77

I could try that..I usually don't have a problem with jewelry, but I'll definitely give it a try! Thank you!

likeabanner

I am enjoying these tips! I just got one for Christmas and I am nervous about a rash since I break out with any jewelry or watches, no matter what the material!

tegalicious

I have a rash as well. It doesn't bother me though. I get it because when I wash my hands, some of the soap and water gets under and in to the band where the fitbit unit sits and basically keeps my wrist moist all day. Lovely I know. I also notice that I have a tiny amount of rash where the clasp is but it is for the same reason.

kelly_c_77

I actually went onto the Fitbit site and did a search for this same problem...turns out, it's happened to A LOT of people. Some say it's due to the wristband having nickel in it...others say it's actually a chemical burn from the battery leaking!!! Their pictures look exactly like mine. They've all filed complaints. My "rash" has turned from just being red and a bit itchy to blistery and scaly red, dry, itchy/burning skin. I'm not happy..but I really don't want to have to stop wearing it. I filed a complaint as well..and got a generic response stating that they would get back upon further review.

whitebalance

One of my MFP friends had text from her FB Flex burned into her wrist. She posted pics of her rash; it was terrible. She just flat-out couldn't wear it anymore, so she switched to a different device.

kelly_c_77

One of my MFP friends had text from her FB Flex burned into her wrist. She posted pics of her rash; it was terrible. She just flat-out couldn't wear it anymore, so she switched to a different device.

Do you know what she switched to? I would love to find something just like the Flex minus the rash/burn!! Thanks!

JessicaP1234

The part that holds the little electric fitbit into the bracelet will hold water after a shower. I take mine off and pull the little black thing out and dry it all off before putting it back on. If you shower and then do that you will see just how much water gets in that part. Water laying on the skin like that for hours before it drys day in and out will cause a skin fungus ... rash like fungus just like Athletes foot. I don't have a rash and never have but I dry it good after each shower. Put some Athletes Foot Spray on the rash and always remember to dry the bracelet out and I bet the rash goes away.

ahack

I've had my FB Flex for a few months. Initially, upon wearing, I had a reaction that was read and itchy. It was around my entire wrist. I changed wrists and the same thing happened. Went to the Dr. and they gave me a steroid cream that wasn't extremely effective. It made the symptoms milder- less angry. The strap wasn't worn tight to my skin, nor was soap or detergent an issue. I stopped wearing it for about a month and the rash went away. I tried it again yesterday, and woke up with a swollen wrist on the arm I wore the Fit Bit Flex. The area wraps around the entire wrist, is very red, and is itchy and sore at the same time. I'm thinking it's less of an allergy to the small nickel clip, and more of a reaction to something else that is in the strap. From what I've read, it doesn't sound like it a pure material... Hoping to find some answers here too.

kelly_c_77

I filed a case with Fitbit.com. They worked with me through the issue and ended up offering to replace my Flex with a Fitbit One or give me a refund. I decided to go with the One because I like the product and don't want to give it up all together..the One can be clipped onto a belt, bra, or worn in a pocket. they sent a FedEx label yesterday, and I already sent my Flex back to them. Now, just waiting on the new Fitbit One to arrive.
Ahack, I suggest you file a case as well. They will work with you. If you go to the Fitbit site, and search Flex rash...you will discover just how many other people this has happened to. And not only with the Flex..people have had the same issue with the Force too!

Edited to add that I tried the advice of a previous poster on using Athletes Foot spray(Tenactin) and it has helped quite a bit...it's definitely still there but I think another week of using the spray might take care of it.

HauteHouse

Thanks so much for this suggestion. I'm a week into wearing my new fitbit force and just noticed that I've developed this same chemical/electrical/whatever rash that others mention. I'm really bummed. I have grown to love this thing and hope I don't have to ditch it altogether. I filed a case with fitbit based on your comments. I'll see how they respond.

kelly_c_77

Thanks so much for this suggestion. I'm a week into wearing my new fitbit force and just noticed that I've developed this same chemical/electrical/whatever rash that others mention. I'm really bummed. I have grown to love this thing and hope I don't have to ditch it altogether. I filed a case with fitbit based on your comments. I'll see how they respond.

You're welcome and good luck! Let us know how it goes. I'm sure they will be as helpful to you as they were with me.

oc1timoco

When you switch your flex to the other wrist does the skin breakout as well? Do you have allergies to latex or similar materials? Have you considered wearing it over some super styling multicolor option wrist band from your local Sporting Goods store? Like many others I take mine off to shower and clean the band and tracker with a lens cleaning wipe.

Tina_MFP

There are many posts about it on Fitbit's board.

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Force/Fitbit-burned-arm/td-p/3661

kelly_c_77

Yup, I've already gotten my new Fitbit One as a replacement for my Fitbit Flex. Very happy with how Fitbit handled the problem! Hopefully I won't have any weird reaction from the One.

amberyors

I have the firbit force and have been experiencing a rash under and to the side of where the display sits. I am starting to think it could be an alergic reacting to the metal that wraps around the display and on the side button.

robertschlackman

I've been wearing my fitbit flex for a little over a week and I just started seeing a rash. But it's not the clasp or the battery. I'm getting the rash in one spot under the rubber. I think it's that fact that I've been wearing it in the shower and not cleaning it at all.

I just put some antifungal cream on my wrist. I'm going to try and wear it looser and see what happens.

It's funny how attached to these things we get!!

kelly_c_77

The antifungal cream should work. That's what worked for me. I started using Tenactin spray and after about 2 weeks, it FINALLY started clearing up and going away. I also started taking if off while showering..it made it much easier than taking The Flex out of the wristband and wiping the inside of the band completely dry every time. I now have the Fitbit One. I, like many others, filed a case with Fitbit and they sent me the One as a replacement since it wouldn't have to go directly on the skin. Good luck.