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There is a realistic possibility you may develop a rash from wearing your fitness tracker or smartwatch, many people do. This is a fact some other manufacturers tend to gloss over.
A rash is a noticeable change in the texture or colour of your skin. There are numerous causes including allergies, medications, cosmetics and certain diseases, such as chickenpox and measles. While the usual concerns for gadget buyers focus on specifications, its also worth giving some consideration to the skin sensitivity of wrists.
Manufacturer like Fitbit made the news back in 2014 with the recall of its Force wearable fitness tracker, pictured on the right. Some users developed rashes on their wrists while wearing the device. It had been on sale for just five months and was supposed to be the high-profile successor to the Fitbit Flex.
But rashes aren’t just a Fibit problem. In the past users of Garmin and other brands have complained about rashes, burns and allergic reactions.
Here’s what to do
Everyone’s skin is unique. But there are a number of common reasons wearing a fitness tracker can cause your skin to revolt.
Allergies: Manufacturers have an important part to play. Its best to choose soft, durable plastics with perforated grids to improve breathability. The nickel used to make stainless steel is another culprit as some people have nickel sensitivity. Almost one in five people in North America are allergic to nickel, including 10 million children.
Soap: Substances such as soap are irritants to the skin. Most soaps contain a combination of ingredients like lye and oil, as well as a variety of perfumes and colouring agents, all of which can provoke irritation in sensitive individuals. Other related irritants include dishwasher soap, bubble bath, and body washes. These liquids can get trapped under a band and after a while, the harsh chemicals begin irritating the skin.
Sweat: Miliaria arises from obstruction of the sweat ducts. If your band is too tight, your sweat ducts may become blocked. This can be particularly problematic on a humid summer day.
Unfortunately, there is no universal cure. But there are a few things you can do to lower your chances of developing this unpleasant problem.
The solution might be as simple as cleaning your wearable regularly. Trapped moisture and bacteria are the most likely causes of discomfort. After activities where you sweat, or your skin gets wet, clean and completely dry both your wrist and the fitness band before re-wearing. You can also clean your device with a mild soap-free cleanser. A dirty band isn’t just bad for your skin, it could interfere with your sensors’ performance.
Breathing is good for you and it is good for your skin too, so give your wrist some air. You don’t really need to wear your fitness tracker or smartwatch 24/7, 365 days per year! Reward your skin with some wearable holiday time!
Wear the band loosely enough so that it can move back and forth on your wrist. The other option is to loosen it when you are not working out and then tighten it when, for example, going for a run. Also, take the band off for twenty minutes each day during uninteresting events, such as when you are showering. Sure you’ll miss off a few steps, but your wrists will thank you for it.
You could even move the band from one wrist to the other wrist from time to time. However, if you do this for longer periods you might need to tweak the settings in the accompanying smartphone app to indicate whether you are wearing it on your dominant or non-dominant hand.
Because skin irritation can stem from a variety of causes, trial and error are often necessary to find the underlying cause. Irritation from water, sweat, and soap is probably responsible for most rashes. So just make sure you take some time regularly to check that both your wrist and the fitness tracker are clean. It is also likely that true allergy is responsible in some cases. Best to take all this into consideration when it comes time to pick out your next wearable device.
