Fitbit Surge causing skin irritations, company says to “take a break from the device”

Déjà vu. Users of Fitbit products are once again complaining of skin irritations.

January 2014 was when the company pulled its Force fitness band from stores and offered customers a full refund. While sales numbers of the Force were low, Fitbit proactively hired “independent labs and medical experts to conduct a thorough investigation.” These specialist determined the cause of the irritations were most likely from an allergic reaction “to the materials used in the strap or the adhesives used to assemble the product.”

Fitbit came roaring back late last year with the Charge and Surge bands. The company stated all the manufacturing concerns were resolved and gave its new wearable a clean bill of health. However, users have now taken to various social media sites and posted pictures of the activity tracker causing severe redness and skin irritations.

Fitbit has quickly responded to the reports and says a remedy is to “take a break from the device,” which is actually counterproductive to its overall purpose. TechCrunch has the full statement and there is no word from Fitbit as to the number of complaints received, but it’s “a very limited percentage.”

“We continue to be aware of a very limited percentage of users reporting skin irritation among our users.

The reactions we are seeing with new products are not uncommon with jewelry or wearable devices that stay in contact with the skin for extended periods. According to our consulting dermatologists, they are likely from wearing the band too tight; sweat, water, or soap being held against the skin under the device; or from pressure or friction against the skin and should resolve quickly when users take a break from the device, usually within hours or days.

We encourage anyone wearing an activity-tracking wristband to follow the guidelines we’ve developed with our team of dermatologists, to educate the public on how to wear and care for devices and keep skin happy: Keep it clean, keep it dry and give your wrist a rest.

We continue to monitor this issue, as it impacts all companies that make products worn next to the skin, particularly the wearables industry as people tend to wear devices for long periods without giving their skin a break.”