Your fitness tracker might be carrying a dirty little secret, and it’s not how many steps you take. Many TikTok users have taken to the platform to share that they’ve developed rashes from wearing their smartwatches. Some discovered they had contact dermatitis , which can be uncomfortable but will likely clear up in a couple of weeks.
Others, had more potentially harmful infections. Experts say it’s not surprising that our Apple Watches, Fitbits, Garmins, and other activity trackers can cause skin irritation and infection, as we wear them while working out , showering , sleeping , and during other every day tasks and likely don’t clean them as often as we should. Family medicine doctor Mike Varshavski, DO, known as Dr.
Mike on social media, posted a TikTok in 2022—that’s been viewed more than 5.7 million times—about the importance of taking off your fitness tracker and letting your skin breathe to prevent irritation and infection. A 2023 study published in the journal Advances in Infectious Diseases examined 20 different smartwatch and fitness tracker bands and found that 95% were contaminated with infection–causing bacteria.
Researchers found that 85% of the trackers tested had Staphylococcus aureus (Staph aureus), 60% had E. coli, and 30% had P. aeruginosa bacteria present.
Simply put, they were carrying bacteria that can cause harmful infections in the bloodstream, bones, joints, and GI tract. “Even at relatively low numbers these pathogens are of public .
