Fitbit Users - Has anyone experienced this?

tpfoodie
tpfoodie Posts: 148 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Apparently Fitbit users are getting rashes on their wrists. I was thinking of buying one for myself, but now...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/13/fitbit-force-rashes_n_4590859.html
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Replies

  • GingerLolita
    GingerLolita Posts: 738 Member
    That's terrible. I was deciding between the Force and Flex, but I'll go with the Flex now!
  • judymoving
    judymoving Posts: 42
    I do not get a rash, but moisture certainly does build up under it. I will often remove it during the day to wipe down my wrist and the band. My concern is the wear and tear on the clasps, which is not very secure.
  • sassyjae21
    sassyjae21 Posts: 1,217 Member
    I have fitbit one and don't have to worry about that. I just clip it on to my bra every morning and it stays put and no one can see it unless I want them to
  • PennyM140
    PennyM140 Posts: 423 Member
    No problem what so ever since mine. Been wearing it 24 hrs a day since Christmas with the exception of showers (which is also when I charge it)
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    That's terrible. I was deciding between the Force and Flex, but I'll go with the Flex now!
    There is a thread on here about irritation from the Flex, too. I'd get a One.

    I kind of roll my eyes at the people who let their rash get that bad (photos in the article). I mean, cmon, if your skin doesn't like it, don't wear it for a month.
  • sassyjae21
    sassyjae21 Posts: 1,217 Member
    That's terrible. I was deciding between the Force and Flex, but I'll go with the Flex now!
    There is a thread on here about irritation from the Flex, too. I'd get a One.

    I kind of roll my eyes at the people who let their rash get that bad (photos in the article). I mean, cmon, if your skin doesn't like it, don't wear it for a month.

    lol my thoughts too :\ take it off at the first sign of irritation. I guess I would be hesitant thought too, if i had just spent that much money on it hahaha
  • ShannonMpls
    ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
    I have fitbit one and don't have to worry about that. I just clip it on to my bra every morning and it stays put and no one can see it unless I want them to

    Yep.
  • dshalbert
    dshalbert Posts: 677 Member
    I haven't had this problem and I have had my Force since mid-November and wear it daily. If you get sweaty, you should wipe it off and clean it daily. Some people may be allergic to the rubber or other materials that it is made of. If that is the case they should return it.
  • jess135177
    jess135177 Posts: 186 Member
    I have the force and if you have damp skin under anything that snug you will get a rash. I just make sure I take it off when I wash and dry my hands and I don't wear it in the shower. Those people are kind of ridiculous to keep wearing it and irritating the skin to that extent.
  • wac021
    wac021 Posts: 9 Member
    I have the Force and haven't had a problem with it. I don't wear it in the shower so there can't be the water build up but so far it's been fine and I'm wearing it at all time (except showers).
  • thesimsisters
    thesimsisters Posts: 73 Member
    I love my zip and have had no reactions from it. I either clip it to my bra or to my waistband. It is supposedly latex free. I am allergic to latex and to nickel (and various chemicals...basically I use "free and clear" everything), which is one of the reasons that I was a little leery of getting the flex or force. Although those are supposed to also be latex free, the clasp was a possible concern and I break out so easily from detergents etc that I figured the material might still bother me.

    I had started seeing twitter posts about the force back before I got my zip at Christmas. I have not seen many about the flex, but people seem to be having real problems with the force. I wonder if something is different with the material or if the unit is getting too hot and slowly burning their skin. I'm glad I went with the zip and it has caused no problems when it has been worn in contact with my skin.
  • kew1952
    kew1952 Posts: 52 Member
    I have the flex and I just wear it loose enough that the air can get under it, plus it does move around a bit on my wrist, which allows air flow.
  • Azexas
    Azexas Posts: 4,334 Member
    I have extremely sensitive skin and I haven't gotten a rash from my flex. I wear mine a little loose though.
  • Jambalady
    Jambalady Posts: 155 Member
    I have the Force. Been wearing it every day since Christmas and I don't have any issues and I have VERY sensitive skin.

    But, I heard the older model (maybe the flex?) is waterproof so people were showering with it. If I shower with my wedding rings I get a rash too and it is from not properly drying the space between your skin and the ring/watch/whatever.

    The Force is not waterproof so you have to take it off to shower.

    Maybe that is the difference?
  • mrsfyredude
    mrsfyredude Posts: 177 Member
    I wear mine on my ankle, no reaction there.
  • o2bfit3
    o2bfit3 Posts: 22 Member
    Yes it is too bad, but Force users are getting burn like rashes under the charging port. It is painful and itchy not to mention downright ugly. I would not recommend the Force right now, but the other Fitbits seem to be okay. For the $130, it should not cause harm. Fitbit has turned a blind eye to it stating it is a nickel allergy. Not the case, here, Fitbit! Buyer Beware
  • o2bfit3
    o2bfit3 Posts: 22 Member
    What about building up a sweat? We should be able to use this while working up a sweat safely. I don't think this problem is associated with dampness, unless it is causing the battery to discharge like a zap on the skin.
  • sjlawgirl
    sjlawgirl Posts: 31 Member
    Nope. Never. I don't wear it in the shower though and I can't imagine ever being SO sweaty that my wrist would be damp. I really only sweat in the face.
  • o2bfit3
    o2bfit3 Posts: 22 Member
    Do you have a Force?
  • ktsmom430
    ktsmom430 Posts: 1,100 Member
    I have had a fitbit one since February 2012. I wear it clipped to my bra.
    Got a Force at Christmas. It does make my wrist break out so I keep it in my pocket.
    I have been using both to see how close the numbers are. But the Force is the one I have linked to the Fitbit site. I keep the one charged and use it everyday sill. I like to see the difference in numbers.
  • Pie3
    Pie3 Posts: 4 Member
    I have a Fitbit Flex and have encounter no problems with rashes. I also wear a Polar Loop and no problems with rashes with it either.
  • IsilethAwesome
    IsilethAwesome Posts: 2
    I've been wearing my Fitbit Flex non-stop since middle October, only take it off for showers and recharge. No rashes or discomfort whatsoever.
  • graceire
    graceire Posts: 323 Member
    I've been wearing my Flex since right around Christmas, including wearing it in the shower. I don't always take it off to dry it inside. I've had no problems with it at all. I wear it somewhat loosely, but not excessively so.

    I've heard that Fitbit is good about either replacing them or providing a different type (i.e. switching out the flex for the one, etc.).
  • Arydria
    Arydria Posts: 179 Member
    I have had a fitbit one since February 2012. I wear it clipped to my bra.
    Got a Force at Christmas. It does make my wrist break out so I keep it in my pocket.
    I have been using both to see how close the numbers are. But the Force is the one I have linked to the Fitbit site. I keep the one charged and use it everyday sill. I like to see the difference in numbers.

    What kind of differences are you noticing? I have (and use) a One that I keep clipped to my waistband, and got a Force for Christmas. I worry about accuracy of the Force with swinging my arms (or not swinging, when carrying something). But I like the convenience of looking at my wrist to see my steps.

    Do you have a favorite yet?
  • ktsmom430
    ktsmom430 Posts: 1,100 Member
    Arydria, I like them both. I really like the feature on the Force that an alarm goes off when you reach 10,000 steps. It is kind of motivating and I like that. I do like the clip on feature of the One as I did get a rash on my wrist from the Force. I do have a kind of sensitivity to some metals so that is probably the reason I got the rash. I am going to continue to use them both. I have found that the Force picks up more of the steps so far. Neither one picks up all the steps on the machines I use, but I am fine with that. My biggest reason for using them is motivation to move more and for that it works extremely well! Love that!
  • nilbogger
    nilbogger Posts: 870 Member
    I've been wearing mine non-stop for a month (other than showers and charging) and it's been fine. Just keep your wrist clean and don't wear the band too tight.
  • sillyvalentine
    sillyvalentine Posts: 460 Member
    After reading the article, it sounds more like a personal allergy or sensitivity than something wrong with the product. Besides, they are offering full refunds if you do get a rash.
  • Collier78
    Collier78 Posts: 811 Member
    I've had my flex since they became available last May. I've worn it every day, all day, with the exception of when I shower. I haven't had so much as a minor skin irritation. FitBit did replace the band once because it seperated at the junction of the band/ view strip. Other than that not even so much as redness. I do take it off occaisionally and wipe the band down with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol.
  • Collier78
    Collier78 Posts: 811 Member
    Arydria, I like them both. I really like the feature on the Force that an alarm goes off when you reach 10,000 steps. It is kind of motivating and I like that. I do like the clip on feature of the One as I did get a rash on my wrist from the Force. I do have a kind of sensitivity to some metals so that is probably the reason I got the rash. I am going to continue to use them both. I have found that the Force picks up more of the steps so far. Neither one picks up all the steps on the machines I use, but I am fine with that. My biggest reason for using them is motivation to move more and for that it works extremely well! Love that!

    You can set your flex to do the same. You just have to change your goal on your dashboard to reflect steps instead of the default calories. :-) Mine vibrates and flashes when I hit my step goal.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    I have been wearing my flex 24/7 (except for charging) since essentially launch day and have never had any irritation. I read the thread here, so I knew some folks saw irritation, but I've had none. I have a friend who gets a rash from a watch. I assume it's very dependent on who the person is.

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