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Maybe you received a smartwatch, bracelet, or ring as a birthday gift.

Close up of woman using smart watch

Tim Robberts

This irritation isn’t dangerous, but it is annoying and it can be prevented.

Here’s what to do if you begin to experience irritation from your fitness tracker.

“An irritant, that’s perspiration getting trapped under there, rubbing, and creating a rash.”

see to it your gear fits properly

Pay attention to how your fitness tracker fits.

“Even the cloth ones will end up getting saturated with sweat, and can pick up an odor.

gear manufacturers typically provide guidance on correct wear on their websites.

Samsung acknowledges that wearing its products too tightly can cause “some discomfort.”

Switch band materials

Try swapping in a more breathable fabric band.

(Garminnotes on its website that their devices' leather bands “are intended for casual wear.")

“But it’s going to be pretty consistent depending on what you’re sensitive to.”

Samsung suggests ceasing use for two to three days for wearers experiencing “extreme” irritation.

Return to wearing the tracker only oncethe rednessclears completely.

“People will say, ‘It looks better, there’s less redness.’

They’ll wear it again and it’ll come back,” Dr. Massick says.

“Each subsequent exposure ends up causing a greater reaction, but also faster onset.”

“Sometimes people are doingtoo much exfoliating,” Dr. Lamb says.

“You want something as gentle as possible.”

When it comes to washing your gadget, the dermatologists defer to the manufacturers' protocol.

Consider outside factors

Be aware of what the tracker comes into contact with every day.

Extreme weather can also affect the skin.

“And when it’s hotter out, it’s getting more moist under there.

You’re having more perspiration, more irritation.”

TL;DR: A little extra care can go a long way.

Typically, these irritations are rarely dangerous, save for the rare fluke.

Ultimately, “most of these devices are very safe,” Dr. Jagdeo says.