With Christmas now a distant memory, we’re hoping that those of you who bought or received any kind of wearable technology have been out and about getting some full usage of it! However, if this included a Fitbit Force, you may want to hold off for a while, as consumer advocacy blog The Consumerist is reporting that some users have ended up with skin complaints after using the device.
The troublesome device – FitbitForce
One of the blog’s readers, a chap named Kevin, who had been wearing and using his Fitbit Force since November, began noticing a problem after using the Force for six weeks, at which point he visited his doctor and had the rash diagnosed as contact dermatitis.
He said: “I really wanted to buy into the Fitbit ecosystem and I loved the device — before the injury. Considering I have medical expenses resulting from treatment, and the fact that healing is slow-going and may scar me, Fitbit has done nothing to show me that they care for their customers’ loyalty.”
Meanwhile, another customer found a way around the problem by covering the band’s metal pieces with tape.
Fitbit proceeded to issue a statement, saying: “We are aware that some of our customers have reported a skin irritation from wearing their Force device. We conduct testing in order to satisfy a variety of internationally accepted standards relating to the safety of the materials in our devices.
“However, our customers are our top priority, so we already have been taking steps to make this right with any customers who feel that they have an allergy related to their Fitbit device including offering a refund or a choice of a replacement tracker.”
Just the other week, CCS Insight said health will be an important factor for all wearable devices, but cautioned some will end up “disappearing into oblivion.” The Consumerist writes that, “it would be easy to write Kevin off as one guy with a weird allergy if he were the only one with this problem, but he’s not. There’s an entire thread on Fitbit’s forums (login required)dedicated to the issue. The thread is a veritable parade of rash photos.”
Gross, but if you’re finding this happening to you, we advice checking it out immediately.
[Via The Consumerist]
Tech Runner 
I also have skin irritations – the worse part is that I really like the devise. I have had to stop wearing it and started putting it in my pocket – – guess what – – my leg now has the skin irritation on it – so it is even bothering the skin with a layer of cotton inbetween the devise and my skin. I just wish that they would remake the item using a different material. Anyone hear anything about them doing that?
[…] reported a while back that some Fitbit users were reporting that their devices were causing them discomfort – from mild chafing to full on allergic […]