Q: How can I stop trackpad from hurting/burning my fingertips?

i dont know if im allergic, i just think i use it too much. I use it as my main computer all day and im swiping away all day and its a hard surface as opposed to a touchscreen device wich sometimes has a bit give when you push on it.

I have have used mac for 5 years and the problem only just started this year.

so im gonna try and lay off my fingers and use a mouse for a while to give my fingers a rest.

they even hurt while typing this now.

I started experiencing this problem on my right hand six months after switching to Apple laptops and a MacBook Pro early 2011.

I only feel when using the trackpad, not an iphone and I dont own an iPad.

I bought an extra Apple trackpad and keyboard and put my laptop on a stand. It helps a little bit for some reason to use the external Apple trackpad, also because I'm using my index finger more on the external trackpad, which I'm not using the built-in trackpad.

But I'm considering getting a Magic Mouse also and perhaps the gloves that some people have talked about as I do think it is a problem of wear to the fingertips stemming from overuse of the trackpad, because it varies in degrees and I have never had any allergic reactions otherwise to anything else.

Sometimes I really feel it and other times I dont think about it. When it is really bad, I tend to use the very edge of my fingers, just below the nails. It's a bit awkward to hold the hand so upright, but it helps.. it might be the only place that I'm still not worn completely down on the fingertips.

So I looked into some software which might help not making me use the trackpad that often.

For navigating the screen there is a fantastic little utility called Shortcat: http://shortcatapp.com

It really has saved my bacon and made me not rely to heavily on the trackpad. It uses the accessibility features of OS X to quickly access anything on the screen just by using the keyboard. Besides aiding my fingertips it really speeds up navigating website etc. I can highly recommend it.

I tend to use it way more when using an external keyboard, but the trackpad is RIGHT THERE when I'm just on the laptop. This is my solution and it really works.

Shortcat is free while in beta but I really recommend buying it for 16 dollars as it is really helpful little tool.

Sorry to post in this somewhat old thread, but since I've been experiencing the same odd sensation for a while now, was wondering if there's a "real explanation" to this.

I purchased my first MBP in 2011, short after, I started feeling this uncomfortable sensation. Tried using a trackpad cover, surgeons gloves (yes, lol) and even used for a while a magic mouse but perhaps the damage was already done because none of these "solutions" worked, even using the magic mouse is uncomfortable at this point. I ended up using an external mouse, it's the only thing that has worked for me. I bought a rMBP not too long ago, same issue, I started experiencing the sensation right away, luckily I still have my external mouse. If it wasn't for the external mouse using MBPs would be intolerable for me.

I haven't tried with the magic trackpad but I'm not keeping my hopes up. I might try out the touchscreen gloves though, is a cheap alternative to a magic trackpad.

I thought I was alone on this yet today I saw this old thread which made feel better knowing there are others going through this (not that it's a good thing), but if someone feels embarrassed to share with others don't. If we keep voicing this out maybe others will notice and find an explanation and solution to this issue.

FWIW I had exactly the same issue, even tried the apple external trackpad with the same problem.  I also didn't want to have to have an external mouse (especially since I use the MBP on planes a lot).  My fix was to buy a $8 palm rest cover.  I only used the part that covers the trackpad.  Its made the surface a little rougher but completely solved the burning sensation.   If you look on amazon for Top Case Palm Rest Cover for Macbook you should see them listed for $8.99.  I do still get some sensation from using the trackpad but its minor and a cheap fix.

How do you feel about using iPhone and iPads? This is where I experience issues with my fingers. Not so much the trackpad any more. Sometimes it gets so bad that I have to put down the iPhone...

I am experiencing exactly this. I've been using MBPs for the last two years very frequently (software engineer). A few months ago I started to notice the discomfort (just right fingertips), and since about a few weeks ago it has become worse, my fingertips feeling like they have mild blisters. It's uncomfortable to use phone screens, and my fingertips in general feel more sensitive. I doubt it is an allergic reaction (why would it just now begin to affect me so much?).

The simplest explanation suggests that there is something about the trackpad which has (physically, chemically?) been wearing down my fingertips, and they've just got worn down to a more sensitive level so I'm starting to feel the pain. Obviously I'm not going to be pleased if this has any lasting impact on my fingertips, assuming Apple's trackpad has some quality which is causing the damage, and with Apple offering no warning, etc.

I'm ordering a protective cover in the meantime to see if it will help. Yeah, this is all too common (for MBPs at least). I want Apple to look into this.

I have this exact problem and I thought it could have something to do with electrical sensitivity. But after reading this, I don't know anymore.

I was wondering which trackpad/palm cover was bought specifically that helped? Did the glove work?

The same kind of effects, were noticed by me with use of a then-new

iBook G4 12-inch 1.33GHz (mid-2005) last model PPC, in the day.

My current early model MacBook1.1 has a similar trackpad, yet I

do not use it; instead use wired mouse & keyboard at a desktop.

As a result of this odd sensation that reminded me of some kind of

electro-static effect that caused nerve and joints to ache, I figured

early on it was not something to continue; since then I often use a

wired keyboard and mouse, with powered USB hub, with portable

Macs and that is much better on my hands.

The issue does not seem to be an allergic reaction as much as it

may be a form of sensitivity to the electro-static processes that

make the touch pad, trackpad, and maybe some touch iDevices

annoy a segment of the product user population. Sort of like a

few dozen per thousand who can't use a new PC or Mac, and

have to let them run-in a few dozen hours (unattended or in a

well-ventilated room) before they can stay in close quarters with

one. Not a form of insanity, just a specific sensitivity; instead of

dealing with electro-static or electro-conductivity, they get a form

of toxic exposure from chemicals. Older logic boards used to gas

off their residual chemicals after a time, as I recall some product

models, back in the day. Some said the effect was worse after we

started getting early products whose board were made in China

or Malaysia; the older Ireland-made Macs didn't do it, nor USA.

Back to the touch pad or trackpad. One could try to use quality

surface cleaner and then apply a protective film such as one

offered by this example; made for a variety of products, with

different surface effects. Could be one of these products can

be helpful to layer over original touch/screen surface(s) as a test.

http://www.photodon.com/c/LCD-Protective-Films.html

Though I've never tried this brand products, years ago considered

LCD screen protectors from them, due to the soft layering of early

LCD iMac G4 and iBook G3/G4s to protect them. However this

may be a useful idea at least for some percentage of users whose

issues could be resolved by such an item that clings on the surface.

Good luck & happy computing!

its not just the trackpad. the whole arm rest area can cause my fingers to hurt deep down into the bone.

I went for hand therapy thinking it was some sort of tendonitis but at this point I dont think so.

My hands are fine unless im touching an apple product!! which *****...

im wondering if its a nerve sensitivity issue due to a vitamin deficiency or something like that?

I once had feelings of heat in my lower back and it would burn and it was weird. Turns out I was vitamin D deficient and once I began to get the vitamin, it went away instantly.

Now I dont expect you all to post back your blood work...lol, but maybe there is something wrong with us that is causing this pain and tingling sensation....

I have a cover on my trackpad and armrest. its somewhat better, but if the macbook heats up it still comes through.

I have the same problem as it sounds like others do as well. It took me a while to figure out it was my mac book. I kept thinking maybe I was putting pressure on my arm or something and didn't notice until my middle finger tip (the one I use on the trackpad) would go numb. I have had other laptops with touch pads and it has never been an issue and I sit the same way. Once I started using a mouse no issue. Then I started having problems with my mouse so went back to the touchpad and it was fine for like 2 months. Now all of a sudden it has come back. If I turn on my mac I will feel it within minutes, so its not caused from long periods in front of the screen. I wonder if everyone else who has this problem got their mac from a store or ordered it online? I ordered mine online.

I just found this forum...I have been having this issue for at least a year with my MBP.  I thought it was my imagination, but it really did become pretty uncomfortable for me to use the compute for extended periods of time.  My finger trips just seem to feel like they are burning ever so slightly.  At first it's no big deal.  But after about 15 or 20 minutes, it becomes annoying enough that it becomes a nuisance.   I also have an iPhone 4S (I know...time to get something newer).   I have noticed similar effects with the phone, but not as much as the MBP.   I use an iPad for work - I have not experienced the same sensation with the iPad, fortunately.  

Anyway...it is good to know that I am not the only person experiencing this issue.  

Hello All!

This is far.out.at.sea, one of the first commenters. I just lost my email and my prior information, so I created a new ID. It's amazing how many more people have found this forum!

My allergy has continued. I bought a new mac, a mac book air (11-inch, 12-inch). Using a mouse pretty much has solved my problems, except when I for some reason I can't use my mouse and I'm stuck using the track pad. I recently lost my mouse and wasn't in a situation to buy one (I currently live in Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia). I had a project due and just had to work through the pain and I would like to describe the effect.

I mostly use my middle finger, fourth finger and pinky when using the track pad. I have attached two photos of my fingers. These photos were taken two days after I stopped touching the track pad. Beyond the internal pain in my fingers, joints, and hands, my fingers get dry, rough, wrinkly, and the top layer of my skin comes off.  Compare my first finger to my last two. Notice the difference in color and texture?

I don't know what to do about it. I can't rule out PCs as not having the same effect. I haven't used them as much recently. I hope the rest of you people allergic to the track pad are all doing well.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

out.to.sea

Sorry, I meant 11-inch 2012. Even after not touching a trackpad for two weeks, my finger tips are still red and peeling. I might have come to the point of giving up my mac. It's too annoying carrying a mouse everywhere with me.

out.to.sea

OMG I HAVE THE SAME THING!

I think it's thermal radiation burning through the skin...

I truly hope using electronic devices doesn't turn out to be carcinogenic like smoking cigarettes...

If you have access to, or know someone who has an Infrared thermal imagery device,

they can 'see' by color, the temperatures of various items. So, if the issue may be based

on temperature and not just electromagnetic radiation at another level, it may be helpful.

For iPhone users, there is a device that attaches to the phone to give it IR capabilities;

however the market appears to be limited to where the maker sells it now. I've only

seen their advertisement and a few sample images of IR output...

•a personal thermal imager by FLIR where you can see heat by color:

http://www.flir.com/flirone/explore.cfm

Not sure what the cause of these symptoms are, but someone scientific may sleuth about

and come up with some practical causes. A firefighter friend used to have metallic gloves;

but don't allow touch action. So protection at an industrial level is out, on a touch-screen.

Certainly out of my league...