Rash from Fitbit Flex?

CTcutie

Anybody tried using a little alcohol or hand sanitizer? My Jawbone UP's instructions said to use a little hand sanitizer (alcohol based) and wipe it off. (I know it's not the same as the Flex, but it works for me. That and it may fit looser?)
I my Fitbit though!

cdobbs66

There was a story on the Fitbit Force causing rashes because of the nickel. The Flex was not mentioned as causing a problem. I have been wearing my Fitbit Flex since Nov. 2013 and I wear it tight and in the shower. I have had no problems at all.

stefaniem76

I had the Fitbit One, and then bought the Fitbit Force, feeling it was an upgrade. I was one of those unfortunate customers who developed a rash. At first I thought it was ringworm, one friend told me it looked like MRSA (idiot) but ultimately I went to the doctor and they said it looked like a fungal infection or allergic reaction. Because it was sore and itchy, I had stopped wearing the Force (not realizing it was the cause)...after 2 weeks without it on, and applying prescription cream, I put the Force back on and was woken in the middle of the night tearing itching on my wrist, with the rash spot completely inflamed. I obviously took the Force off, and that's when I realized it had to be the Force. I googled "Fitbit Force rash" and saw that 4 days prior Fitbit had put out an announcement that some customers were having an issue. I got the email address from that article and sent them a message. They replied within 24 hours and offered me a full refund or replacement product. I already have the Aria and One, and really wanted a wrist tracker, so I said the Flex, thinking since there was no LED, it didn't have the nickel on it like the Force. They let me know immediately that I would have the same reaction from the Flex, so I opted for a refund, which is a bummer. I am hoping they figure out what the problem is soon and remedy it, I would really like a wrist tracker lol
I can't say enough about Fitbit though, they FedExed my refund check immediately. No hassle or haggling.

clukos

I have an awful reaction to the force too.. Wore it for 30days.. Never had issues with anything before. It just came about one morning I always took it off for the shower and when I took my shower I noticed it started to itch.. Then I figured it was irritated from my fitbit so I put it on the other wrist was going to switch to my dominate hand on the settings. I googled fitbit force and Rash and sure enough others have the same looking painful itchy red spot. I immediately took it off my other wrist and have just a little spot there now too.. I am 10 days of not wearing it and it looks like an awful burn.. The company is refunding the difference and I am getting the One, but dang it stinks. I bet someone will try a law suit. They I am sure are going to have to put a disclaimer on the two wrist bands. Anyways I am just praying it does not scar. Looks like I will have this thing for another couple of weeks.. People are saying 3-6weeks to clear up.

kelly_c_77

I have a very light scar from mine..but my rash/burn had gotten really big...about 2 inches long and an inch wide. Hopefully your didn't get so big and won't be as bad.

Soccermavrick

Check the company website, I thought that they offered to exchange them. There was some problem with people developing allergies to the surgical nickel that the back was made of that they were exchanging for something else.

519harley

What if you put a bandaid on the back of the bracelet? I have one also and keep it pretty loose. Good luck! :flowerforyou:

kelly_c_77

Yeah, they are exchanging them. I traded my Flex for the One. They were very pleasant to deal with. I think they know they have a lot of upset customers to deal with...and they are really doing a great job to fix the problem!

Jaytee79

You might do better with the Fitbit One. It tracks everything that the Force does- but you clip it to your pocket/bra strap/underwear etc. instead. Therefore- no rash issue anymore but with all the benefits of the Force- including sleep tracking.

Good luck.

heidi3132

I don't wear mine in the shower and i clean it with hand sanitizer after i work out and it has been fine

wrenabadia

I have a Fitbit Force and got a nastyrash on my wrist under where the metal is after about 2 months of wearing it. I think it's because of the nickel although it's weird to me that it took this long for it to develop. I also wonder if the hole where the charger goes allows for bacteria to develop while I'm sweating. I treated the rash like a fungus.. with athletes foot cream medication and it went away.

I switched the fitbit to the other wrist while the rash heals and covered the metal portion inside the band with medical tape (the fabric kind). I swap out with fresh medical tape each time I charge it and it's been perfect. No irritation whatsoever.

I know it's gross and silly that I don't just exchange it, but I love this dang thing!

dawlschic007

I don't wear mine in the shower and I also take it off at night because I'm not really all that interested in the sleep pattern results.

dewaltfan

I currently have the Force but have the rash on my wrist. I am just waiting for the One to arrive since they offered it with a refund when I told them about the rash. I have just been clipping it around one of my belt loops during the day at work, evenings are a little harder since I usually change into comfy stretchy pants. My steps counts have been way low because of this.
At least they are willing to work with people who are having problems and they have been upfront about the issue

thiagorobis

I'm a first-time user of the Fitbit here in Brazil, and also developed a cutaneous rash in place of the bracelet, and the use of it already suspended by my doctor.
Have requested a refund for the Fitbit, just like to know how they will deal with international clients.

Kfogerson

I have had my Flex since Christmas and not had any problems until this weekend. Mine is worn very loose, probably 2 fingers between my skin and the Flex. I now have the rash :0( I love my fitbit and am sad that I will have to give it up. I emailed them today. I took a picture of my rash just in case they need it. Does anyone know what they end up doing or how long it takes? THANKS!

kelly_c_77

I have had my Flex since Christmas and not had any problems until this weekend. Mine is worn very loose, probably 2 fingers between my skin and the Flex. I now have the rash :0( I love my fitbit and am sad that I will have to give it up. I emailed them today. I took a picture of my rash just in case they need it. Does anyone know what they end up doing or how long it takes? THANKS!

It doesn't take long..you might go back and forth with them a few times through email..but they'll offer a refund or a trade for the Fitbit One. I traded for the One. It took a bit to adjust to the different style..but no rash!
Anyway, they'll send you a return label and once you send your Flex back, they'll either send your refund or the One, whichever you choose. Good luck!

MelieLouise

I have created a Facebook group for user of Fitbit who have developed the rash/blisters/scaly thick skin. Search for Fitbit Rash. I'd love to hear from others and see their photos of their "skin irritation", which for the record is really burning me 9 days in.

See you there!

KathleenFastre2013

I also have developed a rash from my Fitbit Flex - I thought this was strange since most of the complaints are from the Fitbit Force.

J0rk

Only the Force was recalled, not the Flex.

I have a Force and have had zero problems with it, BUT

1) I wear it somewhat loose (I can fit two fingers between it and my wrist pretty easily)

2) NEVER wear it in the shower. I don't care if FitBit claims you can, why would you do this? This seems like a complete no brainer to me.

3) I rinse mine off with water and a mild soap (hand soap) and dry it a couple times a week.

I think a lot of the problems with skin irritation would be gone if people followed these 3 things.

jasashboog

I have the FitBit Flex and have had it since mid January........I LOVE IT........BUT, just discovered that I must have an allergy to the nickel that's used on the band (yes, I wear the ugly red rash ????). I've tried applying clear polish to the underside of the band where the nickel is exposed to my skin with hopes that this will help............anyone else suffering from this issue???????

ciannaps

Careful with your Fitbit One, too. I get a rash from it any time I clip it somewhere that it's touching my skin (bra, waistband). It's a serious bummer for workout clothing and for days I want to wear a dress. I haven't figured out a solution yet.

Ronyvy

I've been using the Fitbit Flex for almost a year. I've become extremely dependent on this thing and have had the exact same problem with skin irritation. I'm a light brown brother so the huge dark patch that developed on my wrist was pretty noticeable. I eventually thought of a solution that has been working for me. I don't know if anyone else has suggest this but... I bought some industrial strength velcro from Walmart (you can also buy it from Home Depot, Lowes, or Ace), and stuck the fuzzy side on the inside of the wristband, then trimmed the edges to fit the band. You can't see the velcro strip at all and it keeps the wristband from touching my skin. Unless the fuzzy velcro material is also an allergen for you, this may work. I still wear it fairly loose as well. Happy activity tracking!

ShannanDennison13

I ve had my fitbit flex since Christmas , and in the last few months I had to stop wearing it bc of a rash . I always took my fitbit flex off whenever I showered . I don't know the cause . I thought maybe somehow I got something on it for it to make me react , so I used a Q-tip and lightly went over the bracelet part with rubbing alcohol , to disinfect anything that could of been on it . Than I rinsed of with water . Let fully dry for two days . I put it back on and within 12 hours I woke up with the rash starting at were it clips together . I haven't worn it since . I am bummed out that I can't wear it without getting a ugly rash .

kixx64

I have the same problem. I really enjoy the fitbit tracking, but don't enjoy the swollen, itchy, painfilled rash I get when I use the band.
After the recall with the fitbit force (not the flex???wait what???) for exactly the same problem, I thought perhaps they would change the materials they use on the bands.
Ordered a new band. Wore it (without the fitbit itself) for one day. Took it off and went to bad. Awoke in the middle of the night with itching burning wrist.
I'm upset, because I want to track activity / sleep / etc and I like the product. But I'm going to have to invest in an alternative (though I am going to try that velcro lining concept. Nailpolish barrier didn't work, but maybe that will).

I'm just surprised that, with so many people experiencing this with the flex product, no recall was made on it - only on the force.

kelly_c_77

I have the same problem. I really enjoy the fitbit tracking, but don't enjoy the swollen, itchy, painfilled rash I get when I use the band.
After the recall with the fitbit force (not the flex???wait what???) for exactly the same problem, I thought perhaps they would change the materials they use on the bands.
Ordered a new band. Wore it (without the fitbit itself) for one day. Took it off and went to bad. Awoke in the middle of the night with itching burning wrist.
I'm upset, because I want to track activity / sleep / etc and I like the product. But I'm going to have to invest in an alternative (though I am going to try that velcro lining concept. Nailpolish barrier didn't work, but maybe that will).

I'm just surprised that, with so many people experiencing this with the flex product, no recall was made on it - only on the force.

You can contact Fitbit customer service and file a report. they will replace your Flex with the One if you choose to not just return it. That's what I did and I haven't had a problem with the One.

HypnoWhizz

I've had my FitBit Flex for just over a week and got the rash on day 2. Solution - Don't wear in the shower and once you're dry, put a little talcum powder on your wrist and rub it in before putting the band on (to really dry the skin). Result - "Rash" has dried up and no more itching etc and can wear overnight with no problem. I sometimes get a very similar rash without the FitBit when it's really hot and my Doc thought it might be blocked pores? If you believe its a nickel rash you can get plastic clips from many sellers on FleaBay. I also had a Vidonn bracelet prior to the Fitbit, same sort of band, with no problems at all??

editorgrrl

I've had my Flex for almost a year, take it off only to charge, and never had a rash.

Anyone experiencing problems should contact Fitbit support. Perhaps they'll replace your Flex with one of their clippy trackers?

MFP has a Fitbit Users group: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/1307-fitbit-users

FarmallMom71

I have a latex/plastics/oil allergy and so I want a fit flex but am afraid I'll have the same problem... cortizone 10 is my best friend when hives show up. Maybe put cortizone on at night before bed and wear flex only during day? Could be an allergy reaction.

shireeniebeanie

Only the Force was recalled, not the Flex.

I have a Force and have had zero problems with it, BUT

1) I wear it somewhat loose (I can fit two fingers between it and my wrist pretty easily)

2) NEVER wear it in the shower. I don't care if FitBit claims you can, why would you do this? This seems like a complete no brainer to me.

3) I rinse mine off with water and a mild soap (hand soap) and dry it a couple times a week.

I think a lot of the problems with skin irritation would be gone if people followed these 3 things.

/\ This. I've had mine for over a month, taking off only to shower and charge. I had a couple of hot days working in the yard after which I'd left it on during showers; when I took it off to charge, not only was it suctioned into the band by the moisture, but it was gross in there.

The posts about antifungal/Tinactin helping means that the sweat and moisture were causing a fungal skin rash.

If you're like me and don't want to take it off:
- Buy an extra band from eBay for $9, and wash and swap them out to dry, or
- Take out the Fitbit, wash the band, and let it dry overnight, or
- Wear it around a belt loop while your rash heals. You can secure with a little #83 O-ring over the closure (these are $3 for a box of 10 in the plumbing section of the hardware store, but going for $5 apiece on eBay).
- If you move to your other wrist, remember to update your settings for dominant/non-dominant hand.

However, it's nice to hear about Fitbit's great customer service for the individuals who have contacted them!

angieroo2

It's a known issue with the Force. I got a rash from the force and don't have known allergies. So it's possible that you got it with the Flex too.