The Drum Awards for Marketing - Extended Deadline

-d -h -min -sec

Wearable Tech Fitness Fitbit

Fitbit urges users to ‘take a break’ upon common rash revelation

Author

By John McCarthy, Opinion Editor

February 13, 2015 | 2 min read

Fitbit has issued a statement encouraging fitness enthusiasts to occasionally remove its 'Surge' wearable device as they have been reportedly giving users’ cases of severe skin irritation.

The £199 wrist-bound fitness tracking ‘Surge’ wearable has caused a “limited percentage” of rashes due to the friction, sweat and heat caused by excessive exercise says the company.

Fitbit said in a statement: “The reactions we are seeing with new products are not uncommon with jewellery or wearable devices that stay in contact with the skin for extended periods.

“According to our consulting dermatologists, [the rashes] are likely from wearing the band too tight, sweat, water, or soap behind 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.”

Twitter user Shaun Ewing sent Fitbit an image of his rash, sparking the statement.

The message of restraint comes after the firm encouraged users to get active for charity as part of the FitForFood initiative featuring Community's Joel McHale.

Wearable Tech Fitness Fitbit

Content created with:

fitbit

Find out more

More from Wearable Tech

View all

Trending

Industry insights

View all
Add your own content +