Your Apple Watch or Fitbit may be a breeding ground for E. coli and staph bacteria. Here’s how to clean your fitness tracker

A 2023 study examined 20 different smartwatch and fitness tracker bands and found that 95% were contaminated with infection-causing bacteria. — Getty Images/The New York Times

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.