Fitbit Rash and Irritation: My Experience & How I Solved It

Have you ever taken off your Fitbit or other brand tracker and found an itchy red rash underneath? I have and not just once. I’ve owned three different Fitbit models over the years, and with each one I experienced sore, red & irritated skin. My latest one, the Fitbit Charge 6, I had the worst reaction yet. If you work out, the rashes are normally worse as soft skin gets damaged more easily. 

I found a solution that worked but was labour intensive and then I finally found a simple, affordable solution and it turned out to be a third-party option and not one from Fitbit directly. I wanted to share how I solved the issue as it really is an annoying problem, especially if you bought the Fitbit to get healthier. To be Clear: This may also affect users of other fitness trackers and even regular watches, so if you've had a similar experience, read on.

In this post, I’ll explain:

• What caused my Fitbit rash
• What didn’t work
• The DIY method that gave me partial relief
• And finally, the Amazon strap swap that completely solved the problem

While I’ve included my Amazon Affiliate links further down, this post was created to genuinely help anyone dealing with the same frustration. 

Disclaimer:

I’m not a medical professional and this post is based solely on my personal experiences with skin irritation while wearing various Fitbit devices. This isn’t a complaint against Fitbit, and I’m not suggesting their products are defective in any way - in fact, many people wear them without issue. I'm just not one of those people.

Skin sensitivity and allergic reactions can vary greatly between individuals and as we age the composition and resilience of our skin can change and or weaken. If you're experiencing a severe reaction or have concerns about your health, please consult a doctor or dermatologist.

I am a Woodturner by trade so I am exposed to fine dust, shavings etc on a daily basis but this issue predates my current occupation. I am also not affected by this condition in any other part of my body.

My Fitbit Rash Journey

Charge 2: 

I can’t remember the exact year I got my first Fitbit, but it was the Charge 2, a slim model with a thin strap. Even then, irritation started within a few days. All I could do was wash my wrist and the underside of the unit regularly and take breaks from wearing it.

Inspire:

Next came the Inspire, which had a bigger strap and more rash to go with it. I was more active at the time, and more sweat meant more irritation. I started searching online for answers, but the advice was limited and often unhelpful. I found a strap cover that didn’t fit my model, but it gave me an idea… more on that shortly.

Charge 6:

My current Fitbit is the Charge 6, and while it's the best device I’ve owned in terms of functionality, it's also the worst for skin irritation. The strap is significantly larger, and my usual prevention routine didn’t work. The rash got so bad I had to leave the Fitbit off overnight several times while Sudocrem helped ease the irritation.

What Causes Fitbit Rashes?

Based on my experience and observations:

• Sweat and moisture get trapped under the strap with no airflow
• Dirt and dead skin cells build up and rub against your skin
• Skin sensitivity to materials like silicone, rubber, or metal parts
• Friction and pressure from tight or constant wear, especially during workouts and sleep
• Age or skin type may also play a role, I never had issues wearing standard watches for years

I'm not a dermatologist, but sharing lived experience here. The underside of the actual Fitbit tracker doesn't seem to cause much of an issue but the straps do.

Hey, I’m an Amazon Affiliate—Want to Help Me Out?

Author Note and heads up before you read on: If you find this post helpful and plan to shop on Amazon anyway, consider using my Amazon UK or Amazon Ireland Affiliate links below. These blue hyperlinks clearly indicate which site they are linked to. As an Amazon Associate, I might earn from qualifying purchases. I may also receive some credit for the time spent researching this post.

Even if you don’t purchase through my links but buy something else on Amazon, I could still receive a small credit. It costs you nothing and helps me out! There will be a note *Commissions-Earned to highlight these links as commission-eligible.

If you’re outside the UK or Ireland and found this post interesting, consider using the "Buy Me a Coffee" link at the bottom of the page. Every little bit helps keep my business running—thank you!

What Didn’t Work for Me

I did try the usual fixes but never had full relief , maybe you have tried these too:

• Taking breaks from wearing it. Overnight, 2 days etc.
• Washing the skin under the Fitbit more than once a day 
• Adding baby powder after washing & at other times.
• Swapping wrists, I didn't enjoy this sensation at all.
• Cleaning the strap regularly, it was clean but damage already there.
• Sudocrem, once skin was clean I used Sudocrem for relief
• Leaving Sudocrem on and tracker off overnight

Eventually, I got creative…

My DIY Solution – Partial Relief

I had some old compression arm sleeves I bought from Wish that I wasn’t using anymore (ironically, because the rubber stay in place grips on them caused skin rashes too). I kept them because they looked cool and always figured I would have a use for them someday. I was right!

I cut sections of the sleeves based on measurements of the straps and stitched them into tube shapes inside out. I then turned the tubes inside out to hide the seam and stitches, With a lot of effort I managed to pull the tubes so that they could slide over each side of the Fitbit strap. These acted as barriers, keeping the straps off my skin and helping moisture dry faster.

It wasn’t perfect:

• The sewing was rough (I’m no tailor)
• I cut them a bit tight so they were hard to put on
• The tubes always shifted during the day allowing strap/ skin contact
• Because they were tight to put on, the end sewing split often

But they worked. After a few days, the rash disappeared, and it didn’t return as long as I kept the barrier in place and changed it for washing when needed. Still, it wasn’t an ideal long-term fix. I took a photo of the old Fitbit with the strap covers in place to show you how they look. Yes, it looks dirty; I never bothered to clean it once I bought the Charge 6. You get an idea of how they work from the image.

The Real Fix – Amazon Straps

Unfortunately, none of the old tubes were sized wide enough for my Charge 6 and I didn't really want to go through the process of making more. It had been a few years since I went looking for a better solution so off I went to Amazon. I discovered a range of new straps suitable for my Charge 6 so I compared based on price, materials, and user reviews, and ordered a 3-pack of breathable, soft straps for my Charge 6. They arrived quickly, and once I switched over, gave it a few days - the rash was gone. Completely. See picture below. This area pictured was always the worst affected and now all you can see is the indentation of the strap.

Check Out these Straps on Amazon

The beauty of this brand is they have several other variations to suit all tastes and all at prices that you can't walk away from. I couldn't believe I was getting 3 straps for under €12. I wanted dark colours because I work in a workshop and everything I wear is like a dirt magnet. You can go light coloured or some other material if you like.

Fitting

Fitting them was very easy although I didn't get one of the clips right initially and it came undone. Make sure it is secure before you move on. I'm glad to report that they don't shift around while I'm at work and I can be very mobile at times.

Wizvv Pack of 3 Elastic Wristbands on Amazon UK. *All Commissions-Earned

Wizvv Pack of 3 Elastic Wristbands on Amazon Ireland. 

Feel free to browse their range of alternate Fitbit straps on Amazon UK here. or

alternate Fitbit straps on Amazon Ireland here.  

Affiliate links – I may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

Conclusion: Don’t Give Up On Your Fitbit

If you are experiencing rashes or irritation when wearing a Fitbit or any watch for that matter, you’re definitely not alone and you’re not crazy. It took me years (and some trial and error) to figure out the fix, but once I changed the strap, I haven’t looked back. These devices can still be great tools for tracking health as long as they’re not hurting you in the process.

On a personal note, I’ll continue to buy Fitbit trackers despite these issues. It hasn’t put me off purchasing again as they are a great product, I’ve just learned how to manage it.

If you’ve dealt with this too, I’d love to hear your experience. And if you’re still looking for a fix, one of the straps I’ve linked above might be the answer.

Thanks for Reading, David

💬 Got thoughts or feedback? Feel free to leave a comment and let me know how you got on!

💬 Note from the Author

This post first appeared on my main website, but I’ve brought it here to separate my health, tech, and pop-culture posts from my woodturning work. I’ve also rewritten and split it into three parts to make it easier to follow. If you’ve enjoyed it, have a look through my other posts!

🔗 Want more stories, tips, and insights?

You’ll find woodturning advice, craft supply ideas, and reflections on life in Ireland over at my main site David Condon Woodcraft.

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