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 wondered if any Medical people had posted about burning fingers from trackpads, and did a search:

from:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Dermatology/What-causes-severe-burning-in-my-finger tips-when-using-my-Macbook-pro/show/1804…

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 found this link online about this issue. the writer talks about the battery being in the area near or below the trackpad, radiation, and perhaps some substances covering the trackpad, but it seems to happen after a lot of usage.

it accurately describes my feeling even as i type this. my finger tips are like burning, its like i've even started using the other hand to give my right fingers a bit of rest, but even the left fingers have that feeling.

http://macosxbits.com/2015/04/burning-fingertips-caused-by-trackpad-in-macbook/

I really feel for Users who cannot use these devices without irritation, numbness, or pain.

Millions of people use these devices, and do not have any such symptoms. Based on that it is unlikely that these computers are actually causing large scale poisoning, electrocution, or heat burning of people who are otherwise completely healthy and allergy-free. (If these computers were causing such problems, it would affect millions of users.)

What is believable is that these devices are exacerbating underlying conditions in some people -- causing those conditions to become much worse. It is also quite possible that for some Users, these symptoms are in fact Repetitive Strain Injuries (but not necessarily identical to carpal tunnel syndrome, the best known Repetitive Strain injury).

I am not lost in any forests.

I can use those devices with impunity. If they were causing most otherwise healthy people problems, they would have been withdrawn long a go.

I think you and your medical doctor should have a chat. But most of all, if these devices cause you pain, stop using them!

There are probably as many different reasons as there are people who can't use them without problems. Trying to find THE reason is pointless without including yourself in the equation.

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.

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.

"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.

These forums are a lightning rod for people with computer issues. When an issue is widespread, the forums are inundated with users posting "me, too" responses. That has not happened on this thread. As I said, a "comparatively small number of people who have posted on this thread". Apple sold 20 Million Macs last year, most had trackpads.

I am really sorry that I have been unable to answer your question with something you want to hear, such as a conspiracy.

What I have been trying to say to you is that some possible combination of physical, electromagnetic, chemical, heat, or receptive stress causes this problem for YOU. It may not be the same cause for the next guy with a complaint. You cannot leave yourself out of this equation -- whatever causes these issues does not seem to affect me, or tens of thousands of others.

You are extremely unlikely to find anything anywhere that says something like, "aha, it is clearly caused by gamma rays, and that is the problem."

When people all over the world have been thinking about this problems for as long as this thread has been open, In my opinion the most likely cause is that this may be a newer form of repetitive stress injury.

So how are your levels of vitamin B12, B6? What about Vitamin D and Vitamin C? Any neurological problems? Peripheral Vascular disease? Micro-cuts on the tips of the fingers as reported by one user?

my fingers were hurting so much in the last week, i finally decided to stop using the trackpad and i am now using the mouse. the burning has reduced.