Fitbit Recalls Rash Causing Wristband

Fitbit has announced a voluntary recall of the Fitbit Force wristband after consumers began to complain about severe rashes and other allergic reactions last month.

The Fitbit Force wristband is a "digital fitness tracker" that also serves as a watch for athletes wanting to track their heart-rate and calories burnt.

Originally, the company had been offering refunds to those users who were reporting irritating or painful rashes caused by the device's wristband. The company had explained that this was likely caused by an allergic reaction to the material the band is made from, which may react to sweat and long-term contact with the skin much like in the case of some nickel allergies. Other users reported similar reactions to the stainless steel portion of the watch, which Fitbit chief executive officer James Park said is in-fact a confirmed nickel allergy reaction.

Once more and more cases of reaction began to be reported, the company launched a series of independent tests that resulted in the decision to pull the wristbands off the market entirely.

"From the beginning we've taken this matter very seriously," Park wrote in a letter announcing the recall. According to Park, the testing also looked into any electrical causes for the more severe reactions, but no evidence was found.

The company is quick to point out that this is the first case of such reactions. While small cases of allergic reactions in the severely sensitive are expected to be seen with the release of any product that is in prolong contact with a user's skin, such a volume of reactions is unprecedented and was a cause for worry that the company says they "swiftly addressed."

CEO Park ended his letter reassuring investors and consumers that a new Fitbit product will be released shortly that should cover user needs for a next-generation fitness tracker.