Where does my Fitbit Rash come from? 

If you are a Fitbit lover and at some point experienced annoying skin irritation around your wrist area where you wear your strap, then you are definitely not the first and you won’t be the last. As servers to the Fitness watch community in the UK for over 5 years now this is an issue that has been communicated to us by various users of many of the popular fitness watches not just Fitbit users. This is not an extremely common problem but it is something we have encountered over the years with regard to users that are prone to allergic reactions and skin rashes while wearing their Fitbit Strap. Luckily for the most part these issues can be avoided or at least limited with the right know-how, that’s why we are looking to fully explore the possible causes of these fitness watch-related skin issues and offer some top tips on how to prevent manage and treat them. The aim of this post is to help you identify why your strap may be possibly causing you A Fitbit Rash around your wrist area, as well as some advisory steps you can take to protect your skin.

So let’s take a closer look at why your Fitbit strap could be causing you discomfort, irritation, and itchiness around your wrist and importantly, what you can do about it. The most common culprit behind Fitbit Rash skin irritation is a condition known as contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema of the skin that is usually caused by contact with an allergen (a substance that causes the immune system to respond in a way that affects the skin) or irritant (a substance that damages the outer layer of skin), such as certain fabrics or chemicals. One of the main culprits of this can be the synthetic rubber material used in many Fitbit bands, which has been found to be a common cause of Fitbit rashes among users. It is known that sweat and humidity can also contribute significantly to this type of skin irritation, as moisture can cause the material to become more absorbent. 

Fortunately for you Fitbit lovers out there who are prone to sensitive skin or a mild allergic response, there are a few steps you can take to prevent and treat contact dermatitis that you believe has come from your Fitbit band. Firstly, always make sure that your wristband has been regularly and properly cleaned before with the use of an extremely mild cleanser mixed with water. Another little hack a few users have told us about in the past is wearing a breathable material such as cotton or silk underneath their Fitbit band when they exercise to help reduce trapped sweat around the wrist area whilst preserving their skin's moisture barrier. If you have actioned the above with no success and you still keep getting a Fitbit rash or harsher signs of skin irritation such as notice oozing blisters or a fungal infection around the wrist, there are some use over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams or calamine lotion that contain skin-replenishing ingredients available in order to help relieve the discomfort. To obtain creams like this you would need to speak with the pharmacist first who will be extremely well qualified to give you the best possible advice on your own unique skin condition. By understanding what might be causing your skin irritation and taking proactive steps to prevent it, you can stay active and healthy without worrying about your Fitbit Rash from your strap. 

How to prevent skin irritation on my wrist from my Fitbit Strap? 

If you love your Fitbit watch it can feel like your device is part of your arm, but as we touched on above certain types of Fitbit watch bands have been known to cause discomfort as an itchy rash where your watch strap has been rubbing against your skin. 

Don't despair though - there are plenty of simple steps you can implement in order to prevent those annoying rashes from forming around your wrist area, so you can keep on tracking your all fitness data in style without any irritation. 

The first step that we would always recommend is making sure that your Fitbit Strap is the correct fit. You want to make sure that your Fitbit strap isn’t too tightly secured to your wrist. The device should be secure enough that it doesn't move up and down your arm as wearing it too loose can not only put your device at risk but also prevent the sensors from working correctly. On the other hand, if your strap is fastened on too tightly this can cut off blood circulation; pinching around the wrist and causing you irritated skin. We recommend checking for the correct fit by sliding two of your fingers underneath the watch band and making certain that there is a small amount of slack there. If you are unable to fit your fingers underneath the watch strap then this is secured too tightly. It's important to check the tightness of your strap every few weeks to make sure your fit remains correct. If you find it's too loose or tight, take the time to adjust the size of your Fitbit. If you need more detail on the best way to wear your Fitbit Strap we would recommend reading the full blog post here which will give you all of the information that you will ever need. 

The next step may sound like a silly one but we need to just touch on it that is to avoid wearing your Fitbit strap while taking part in activities that will cause you to sweat a lot. Yes, that’s right take your fitness watch off when you are doing fitness relates activities. Yes, we realize that this is not realistic for all of us, however, if your Fitbit rashes are getting that bad you may just want to keep your device for when you are sweat-free. The reason that sweat can cause such an issue is that it contains salt which can assist in causing Fitbit rashes when it is brought into contact with the Fitbit watch band happening skin barrier integrity. So If you’re planning on doing an intense workout, like a cross-fit workout or playing sports, why not remove your Fitbit and reattach once you’ve cooled down? You can always make use of your Fitbit device during the rest of the day and only leave it on during your lighter workouts. Lastly, always choose the material of your Fitbit strap very carefully. The most common culprit when it comes to this condition is the classic silicone and rubber-style Fitbit straps. While straps made from alternative materials such as nylon, Leather, and metal are less likely to cause this issue. Something else that can also be very common among users of fitness trackers is a nickel allergy that can also cause an immune reaction on the user's wrist. Many of the buckles on modern fitness trackers will contain traces of this which will cause any nickel allergy to flare up. So if you find yourself in a situation where your current watch band is causing the Fitbit rash, why not attempt switching it up for one of our other materials?  

Which materials of Fitbit Strap are the worst for causing minor skin irritations and a rash on my skin? 

As we touched on above, unfortunately, some Fitness watch lovers can experience rashes or skin irritation due to the material their replacement Fitbit straps are made out of. To help you to avoid this annoying issue, Fitstraps has created a list of the worst types of strap materials when it comes to causing rashes on your wrist. Before we get started though we just want to make clear these are the only the worst materials if you suffer from this skin condition, if you don’t, you have nothing to worry about with these materials. The first material we would recommend that you avoid altogether is the classic silicone, silicone is a synthetic material that is not breathable and can trap moisture against your skin, this in turn can lead to an itchy rash developing against your wrist bone. The material itself especially when the strap is new tends to be slightly stiff and unforgiving, which can make it rub uncomfortably as you wear it for a longer period of time. 

Next on our list of rash-causing culprits is polyvinyl chloride, which most of us know as PVC, this is the material that is most often used to produce the original Fitbit straps but has also been known to be one of the most common causes of a Fitbit rash and skin irritation among users prone to this condition. PVC is not a very breathable material and is known to trap sweat against your wrist, which can lead to an itchy rash developing. 

Last on our list of materials to avoid if you are prone to the rash on your wrist from your Fitbit strap is rubber. Again rubber material bands have a very similar profile to that of PVC – they can also trap sweat and heat against your skin and are not a very breathable material. Rubber Fitbit bands are even stiffer than the other materials mentioned above and can be uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time for those with sensitive skin. 

What is the best choice of Fitbit Strap to prevent allergic contact dermatitis? 

The good news for Fitbit users that have been plagued with a rash on their wrists up until now, is there are plenty of options out there that won't cause irritation or rashes on your wrist making them much more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. So let’s explore which type of Fitbit strap is best for those prone to a Fitbit rash in order to prevent further irritation or discomfort while they track their fitness data in style. Fitstraps most highly recommended material for preventing rashes around the wrist area is a soft and comfortable nylon Fitbit band strap. Nylon material is not only light and comfortable but is also very flexible when on your wrist, making it absolutely ideal for those users with sensitive skin. It is also great as it does not trap heat or moisture like the materials mentioned above, which leads to further itchiness and irritation. Another excellent option for those looking to avoid this condition would be a metal wristband. These metallic straps are perfect as they are lightweight and breathable and don’t tend to trap moisture, therefore, allowing your wrist to stay nice and cool throughout your day. 

Last on the list is, leather straps, leather is another fantastic choice for those who want a more stylish option but also want to keep that annoying itchy rash at bay. This material is both comfortable and feels soft against your wrist and is much less likely to be a cause of a rash or irritation. The one downside of the leather material that is important to be aware of is that in order to keep them effective at alleviating the rash is that a leather band will need to be cleaned more regularly. This is due to the fact that if not cleaned regularly and correctly this can lead to sweat and small pieces of dirt building up on the material and cause further irritation. Therefore we would always say that when selecting your next Fistrap for your Fitbit watch, it is very important to always consider your skin type and any allergies you may have in order to determine which your best choice. Why force wearable fitness tracker comfort when you find the best material for you without any problems at all? 

How to clean your Fitbit strap to prevent the chances of it giving me irritant contact dermatitis? 

When it comes to ensuring that your strap doesn’t cause that annoying Fitbit rash on your wrist, one of the most important steps is cleaning the strap to ensure this doesn’t happen. Not only does this help maintain its appearance and keep it looking fantastic, but as we mentioned earlier it can also reduce the likelihood of you developing a rash on your wrist from bacteria and sweat that accumulates there. 

Keeping your Fitbit strap clean doesn’t even require any special types of equipment or cleaning products; with a few simple-to-follow steps you can have your strap looking and feeling fresh out of the box again no time at all. 

Before you get started in cleaning your Fitbit band always make sure you remove the device itself from the strap. Once you have removed it, grab a soft microfiber cloth dampened with a small amount of water and some extremely mild soap and gently wipe off any dirt that has built up around the strap. We recommend using gentle circular motions while cleaning it, as this will prevent you from scratching the material. Once you have wiped down your watch strap, leave it to air dry before refitting to your watch. Following this if there are any extra stains or marks that are refusing to come off with water and soap, take a very soft-bristled toothbrush (the wooden ones with black bristles are really good) and dip in your mixture of water and mild soap. You can then lightly brush the strap in the same gentle, circular motion until the stain has been fully removed. They use the same tactic of leaving your watch band to air dry before you reattach it to your device. By implementing these simple steps on a regular basis, you can keep your Fitbit strap clean and reduce the chances of experiencing any irritation or rash on your wrist. Cleanliness and good watch strap maintenance is the key to avoiding a rash associated with wearing a Fitbit, so let’s get into the habit of keeping your watch strap clean. 

Is it true that Fitbit was sued because the Strap material caused a rash on someone’s wrist?

Yes, the rumors are actually true, Fitbit was actually sued in the USA as a lady from California claimed that her watch band caused her Fitbit rash on her wrist. This story made headlines across the pond when it was claimed that the material used in some of Fitbit’s wristbands had caused an allergic reaction on a user’s skin around her wrist. The headline-hitting case involved a Californian woman who was claiming that she developed a rash on her wrist from wearing her Fitbit Flex 2 watch band. The woman was then seeking a large compensation figure from the tech giant in order to cover her medical bills, emotional distress, and other damages which she claimed were solely down to her wearing the Fitbit device. The case has since been settled out of court so we have no way of knowing the full outcome. We would say that although it is possible that an individual may experience an allergic reaction to the material used in a Fitbit band, such cases are extremely rare. The vast majority of Fitbit users do not experience any kind of adverse reaction at all and by implementing all the steps we have touched on above, any issues can either be fully cured or at least alleviated. If your condition is really bad, we would recommend that you check medical before using any specific type of watch band or device to ensure it will not cause an allergic reaction. It is also important to be clear that in the case involving the California lady, there weren’t actually any conclusive findings to suggest that her Fitbit was the cause of her rash. In conclusion, while it is possible that the allergic reaction did occur as a result of using the Fitbit device, there is no definitive proof of this. 

So there you have it, there is some evidence that wearing a Fitbit can induce a rash on certain users' wrists if they are prone to skin conditions. To prevent this type of Fitbit Rash irritation, always choose straps made from materials such as Nylon, Metal, or Leather and steer clear of silicone, PVC, and rubber bands. Also, remember to practice good hygiene when it comes to cleaning your watch strap regularly and reap the benefits of a wrist clear of rashes and itchiness. All in all, with a little research, good strap maintenance and caution you can enjoy all the benefits of your Fitbit without worrying about skin irritation.