Has anyone else had a reaction to their heart rate monitor?

workingthisout

I got a Polar heart rate monitor for Christmas, and I've gotten this weird rash/hives situation right where the monitor goes on my chest. I hadn't really connected the 2 but someone told me that there was a story about mercury poisoning from a popular heart rate monitor...I just tried to look up what the brand was and couldn't find the story anywhere, but the seed of worry has been planted.

Has anyone else had an issue with their Polar fit?

SunnyDuckling

I doubt it's mercury poisoning. My guess is that it is more likely due to sweat build-up, or even skin cell buildup. How often do you clean the monitor or the strap?

arrseegee

I doubt it's mercury poisoning. My guess is that it is more likely due to sweat build-up, or even skin cell buildup. How often do you clean the monitor or the strap?

This is a better explanation. It's like sweat rash, probably because you have it so close to your skin.
Polar is a reputable brand and seriously if you had mercury poisoning you'd really know about it, it wouldn't just be a skin rash you'd be complaining of!