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

I just got a new MacBook Pro after using Windows PCs for decades, and started feeling the burning neuropathy in my fingertips IMMEDIATELY after I started using the trackpad, right out of the box. It's the only sour point on the switch, because I love the trackpad--it's far superior in control to any comparable PC laptop I've used. It doesn't seem to bother me with smartphone gloves on. Cumbersome and irritating, but do-able.

In my case at least, I'm pretty sure it's not an allergic reaction to whatever coating Apple uses. Though that might exacerbate it--they do use nickel and aluminum, and I'm sure that can be absorbed. I've experienced this on Windows laptop trackpads, as well, even plastic ones. I also feel it with extended use of my iPad and iPhone screens. Also, I've never reacted to other metals before. I get the same sensation after typing for awhile, on either a Mac or PC laptop.

Fingertips have a disproportionately huge number of neurons--they are designed to be ultrasensitive. If you overstimulate nerves they can get numb. My current working hypothesis in my case at least is that it is the EM emissions from the laptop under the keyboard and trackpad, which can pulse over 5 mG on an EM/RF meter (that is high! And so I never rest the laptop on my lap). It's non-ionizing radiation, so current scientific/corporate dogma rules that it's safe. But some people might be more sensitive than others, or maybe just cross some tipping point of cumulative exposure. I surmise that I'm one of those, and perhaps some others who've had issues with it may be as well.

FWIW and IMHO. Gloves it is! Because I love this computer, and it wouldn't be any different for me on a Windows laptop.

I have this problem as well. I've been using a macbook a132 for about 2 years now before it started having an effect. I feel a burning sensation on the tips of my fingers, especially my index finger. I feel a lot of heat radiating from the trackpad, so I figure I'll start with that. I am going to try using a fan for now, just point it directly at the trackpad. Touchscreen gloves seem like a sound idea though. I wish there was a definite explanation for this problem, but everyone says something different.

I found this thread because I wanted to see if anyone else was experiencing the same issue. To me, the feeling is exactly the same feeling as I get when playing with a plasma lamp, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_globenk t

Consequently, I think the issue is related to electricity. The trackpad operates by detecting electric charges affected by the placement of fingers.

For myself, the pain is usually sharper if I'm very lightly touching the trackpad. Is the wrist-rest area next to the trackpad made of the same material as the trackpad? If so, it's not an allergy, since the wrist-rest area has no effect. Also, I have the same feeling on my fingertips from my iPad, which is a glass surface.

I just wanted to let you know that I have this exact same problem. You are not crazy, you are not alone. I cannot touch mac track pads. I have to use a mouse. I have researched this before and many people online have laughed at me or called me crazy or thought there was something wrong with my computer, etc. I have this problem with all mac track pads. The pain is real and intense, especially if I use a trackpad for longer than 30 seconds.

I now use a mouse and it *****. I've heard some people use those film covers for cellphones but I'm afraid to try that until I learn more about it. What did you end up doing?

i have had this feeling for some time. i don't have diabetes and hardly drink - about one or two beers in two months! also, i've had this feeling with phones too. i am fairly confident it's something electric related, or chemical, or wave related etc. some sort of physics or chemical thing. it's definitely not muscular. i can't say its heat cause my laptop never really gets hot, unless its some sort of low level weird heat, which is perhaps possible. anyway, there is something. i am sure somebody somewhere has an explanation, and i think many more people have this experience on and off than report it. i just shared it here after i just happened to finally resolve to google it in case there was a solution shared somewhere online, and saw this forum where people have had a similar experience. i would bet many people have had this experience with not just laptops, but phones of all makes

"if any of those were true, they would be affecting everybody, not just you and the comparatively small number of people who have posted on this thread."

That's a fairly ridiculous thing to say. People are different from each other, using their devices in various environments. I think it's very likely this condition varies by a number of factors, including temperature, humidity, and physiology of the user. As mentioned earlier, the feeling is very similar to what you get when handling a plasma sphere. Experimenting on my own, I notice the feeling the most when my touch is very light, both with the plasma sphere and the other touch devices.

Since the touch technology works by capacitance, I think the phenomenon is related to that. Nerves operate by chemically facilitated electricity. There's no reason the charges used by the devices cannot be picked up by other electrical devices (like nerves).

My own experience is that I don't normally notice it. However, if I use a device for an extended period, I start noticing it more, especially if I'm using a light touch. If I'm hot and have sweaty fingers, I don't notice it. In that situation, though, the touch devices are not that effective either, though.

Glad to read all this- sort of- I know I am sensitive, but now I know I am not crazy!

I have 10 burning finger tips and they are all wrinkled, so its not just the touchpad. Also, when I hold the laptop on my lap, my thighs burn - even with pants, a lap desk or pillow between me and the 2015 Macbook Pro. I tried gloves and the keyboard still burns.

I'm going to try a keyboard protector and a mouse. Also, a lead blanket over my legs has crossed my mind more than once because even when the laptop is on a desk, 10-15" above my thighs, they burn.

Hi Everyone,

I am also experiencing the same issues reported here with my Macbook pro 2015. It started off with the trackpad, pain in finger tips, then became irritation, raw, burning, tingling, then vibrating and radiating heat and pain in my hands. Now, even when I have stopped using the mac for about an hour still there.

I tried the magic mouse and the problems continued on there. At first I thought it was a muscular issue and saw a chiropractor, acupuncturist, physio, doctor...

Eventually I switched to the wire mouse after trying several different magic mouse's. I'm sad to say that now after a month the problem has continued with the wire mouse as well.

I'm quite concerned about this article above (thank you for posting) because I recognize many of the other symptoms that are reported with Toxic poisoning related to that. Dizziness, tiredness, confused, memory loss.

I'm wondering if we should start a Crowdfunding campaign to get some research done?

i have had the same sensation for sometime now with my mac pro 2015. i literally just called apple to ask about it, chatted with somebody, then was called back by some supposed safety guy. i got no help whatever. he said he had never heard this before, which was striking! cause i see this in this forum since about 2013, so it seems like a common experience/issue. i got no help whatever, the guy seemed to be trying to throw the problem back at me instead asking me what i want to do! i was calling for the experts to tell me how to solve the problem, and instead he was asking me what i want to do. like, i don't know how it is taken care of, you're the expert, how is it taken care of!! it was such horrendous service, and really rude and kind of playing smart!! really awful!!

you're so lost!!!! "most otherwise healthy people." how do you know the health statuses of the people reporting this issue??? why are you so quick to suggest they "see their doctors?" your comments are so unhelpful!!! thanks for not posting again, please!!!! you have nothing beneficial to add to this conversation, besides agitating others!!!

so, you think people who discussed this in 2012 or 2013 made it up? so, you believe every experience or condition always affects everybody? i seem to see so many examples in the media of rare conditions all over the place, from the famous lou gehrig's decease to many more.

are you sure that's a sensible argument to make?

you really think conditions have to affect everybody to be "true?"

have you never seen special needs people in your life???

and how do you know they're "small?" i just happened upon this forum when i finally decided to google it after perhaps a year having the experience.

you might need to re-examine your logic a bit there, or perhaps think a little clearer before you post!!

I have this same problem! Been using my MacBook Air for four months and now my fingertips hurt when using the trackpad - doesn't matter if it is plugged in or running off battery. It is a sensation I feel only when using the track pad. Almost feels like my fingerprints are getting rubbed off! 😀

I love using the trackpad and don't want to have to resort to using gloves or a mouse.

Just wondering if the trackpad needs to be cleaned and what should be used to clean it.

Reminds me of a neighbor a few trees over and a two rows down, who keeps

having to replace his electric guitar after playing it in the shower. ~ It's not the

shocks that get him, it's the replacement cost without warranty coverage.

When I used to hand-make candles, the hot wax re-energized finger tips so

this may be good to renew circulation. Or plastic skin, painted over fingers.

Actually, a contributing factor in the use of these products may as simple as bad

posture & the placement of these devices in a spatial orbit around my work area.

..I found slumping & dozing off aren't good, either.

That made my hands numb from the neck down..