Your Fitness Tracker may be carrying a dirty little secret, and it’s not how much not you take.
Many TikTok users have taken to the platform to share that they have developed rashes while wearing their smartwatches. Some have discovered that they have contacts dermatitis, which may be uncomfortable but will likely go away in a few weeks. Others had potentially more dangerous infections.
Experts say it’s no surprise that our Apple Watches, Fitbits, Garmin and other activity trackers can cause skin irritation and infections because we wear them during our activities. practice, to take a shower, sleepand during other daily tasks and probably don’t clean them as often as we should.
Family physician Mike Varshavski, DO, known as Dr. Mike on social networks, published a Tick Tock in 2022 – which has been viewed more than 5.7 million times – on the importance of removing your aptitude tracker and let your skin breathe to prevent irritation and infection.
@doctormike Apple Attention watch wearers ⌚️#apple #applewatch #skin care ♬ original sound – Doctor Mike
How dirty are fitness trackers?
A 2023 study published in the journal Advances in infectious diseases examined 20 different smartwatch and fitness tracker bands and found that 95% of them were contaminated with disease-causing bacteria.
The researchers found that 85% of the trackers tested contained Staphylococcus aureus (Staph aureus), 60% had E. coli, and 30% had the bacteria P. aeruginosa. Simply put, they carried bacteria that could cause harmful infections in the blood, bones, joints and gastrointestinal tract.
“Even in relatively small numbers, these pathogens are of public health importance,” said Nwadiuto EsiobuPhD., lead author and professor of biological sciences in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science at Florida Atlantic University, in a Press release about the study.
“The quantity and taxonomy of bacteria we found on the bracelets shows that there is a need for regular sanitation of these surfaces.”
Researchers tested plastic, rubber, fabric, leather and metal bracelets to see the correlation between the material and the amount of bacteria present. Bacteria tend to cling most to rubber and plastic bands, with little or no bacteria present on gold or silver rings, the study found.
How to prevent infections from fitness trackers
You can reduce your exposure to bacteria with simple cleaning measures.
Clean the bracelet regularly with common household disinfectants
The study found that Lysol disinfectant spray, 70% ethyl alcohol, and apple cider vinegar were at least somewhat effective on all fitness tracker materials.
Lysol and ethanol killed 99.99% of E. coli, Staph aureus, and P. aeruginosa after 30 seconds of contact on most strips, but required two minutes of contact for the plastic strips. However, apple cider vinegar was not effective on Staph aureus, even after five minutes.
It’s important to note that for the bacteria identified, the recommended usage time for Lysol disinfectant spray is five minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. find that 70% ethanol is effective against P. aeruginosa, E. coli and S. aureus after 10 seconds.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the equipment
Companies like Garmin, AppleAnd Fitbit list their specific cleaning and maintenance recommendations on their sites. Each emphasizes the importance of not immersing trackers in cleaning products or using soaps, which can get stuck inside the device and cause it to malfunction or cause additional skin irritation.
Use a damp microfiber cloth to clean the face of your watch or tracker
Microfiber is lint-free and will not scratch your screen.
Let your skin breathe
Apple Watch wear guide recommends wearing the watch tighter for practice (so the sensors can work properly to track things like heart rate) and loosen it when you’re done with your workout.
“You want more airflow, less moisture retention, and less skin friction,” Varshavski said in his TikTok. He also recommends trying rubber bands that have holes for more airflow and circulation if a regular rubber band isn’t comfortable.
You should also make sure your bracelet is completely dry before putting it back on your wrist.
If you do everything you can to keep your tracker and bracelet clean and dry and your skin is still irritated, see a doctor.
