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

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. 🙂

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... 😝

Hi all. I was a long-time Windows laptop user, and just switched to a MacBook Pro a little less than a year ago. I have the late-2013 Retina 13" model, though that doesn't seem important. A few weeks ago, I started noticing my fingers getting numb, and even some mild pain, when I use my trackpad. I thought the pad might be dirty, causing friction, so I cleaned it with a damp cloth. It didn't seem to have any effect and the sensation is only getting stronger in recent days. I've been trying to use other fingers to give the primary ones a rest, but now even they're feeling it somewhat. When I use the trackpad, I tend to rest my thumb on the indent below the pad, and my thumb is also feeling funny.

I looked around online, using the search terms "finger tip pain computer trackpad" (notice I didn't specify Mac or Apple), but every thread that came up was from MacBook Pro users. Some of the threads were mocking us, but it seems we have some support in this one. It seems that Apple, and only Apple, has some kind of issue for a small number of users. I wonder if we can put some pressure on them to address the issue, perhaps with a group letter, or if that fails, by contacting one of those consumer-oriented news segments in the media.

Some more observations include that this is not a general sensitivity in my fingertips. I can press on my finger and rub my fingertips together without any pain. It seems to be directly related to touching my MBP trackpad. So I don't buy that it is related to overuse of the fingers or too much friction. I don't work my MBP very hard, so my trackpad is almost always cool to the touch. So I don't buy that it is heat-related. Also, the fact that my thumb is feeling strange from the indent could indicate that this is some kind of material allergy, or that it has something to do with the electrical workings of the trackpad and its surrounding area. Could some of you try turning the computer off, unplugging it, and then using the trackpad as you might normally? Do you still feel the pain?

Anyway, for now I've bought a cellphone film to cover the trackpad, and installed it today. I have some residual numbness, but overall it feels better and hope that my fingers will go back to normal soon. I will sell my Mac and switch back to Windows PC if this continues, it's completely unacceptable.

Should you happen into an Apple Store, perhaps to test a new

model for this same effect would be in order; then you can tell

their Store manager or whoever is their Team leader, why you

are reverting to a different brand...

For a new user, within the US and some other regions, they

have up to 14 days to use the device to find out how it works.

I'd be testing all the known issues these could have, in under

14 days to be sure if mine exhibited any of them, it'd go back.

Hopefully the protective plastic helps somewhat to alleviate

this issue; and there may be different results from using a

variety of product brands. Several kinds of plastics are used

across the industry, so the stuff sold at one place, such as

the photodon.com co. &/or another, results may vary a lot.

And a smaller company may be willing to listen to an end user

of protective products, in how to modify them, for this purpose.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

I have the same problem with my iPhone 6 and new Magic Trackpad. I get tiny painful blisters on my fingertips in the exact place where I'm touching the trackpad/ screen surface. I've never had any issues with Apple products or allergies in the past. I thought it might be something to do with the new glass they use or a product they use to clean it in the factory so I tried wiping off the glass which seems to have helped a bit.

If you get support for a group letter let me know and I will join in. Apple needs to figure out what is happening, even if its only a subset of users. I posted to another post too, maybe if they get enough complaints.......

thank you for your suggestion, and from a few others about looking for a protective film. I will look into purchasing something to place over the track pad but really, apple should figure out what is happening. I wouldn't be surprised if there are many more people out there with this problem.

I'm having this same problem. Went Mac in 2012 with an iMac and MagicTrack pad--no issues that I could tell. Wanted a laptop, so I got a MB Air in spring 2014. Within a couple of months, I had Carpal Tunnel in both hands with very painful thumbs. Dyshidrotic eczema rash developed about the same time. I didn't understand the rash but figured the CTS was from how I was using my new MBA--also, the edge seemed to cut into the palms of my hands. Anyway, I finally limited the use (and eventually put it completely away) of the MBA while waiting for the CTS to get better. The rash--horribly itchy, often painful, and quite ugly seemed to spread and then maintain. It was on the same fingers (thumb and middle finger) of each hand--mirroring each other (weird). After awhile, the rash mostly receded and finally the CTS was pretty much gone. I decided to allow the MB Air out of exile. About a week into using it, I noticed my hands feeling a burning, tingly feeling, AND my rash was coming back. DING DING DING....finally dawned on me that it was the MBA causing it.

I wonder if my rash never fully went away because of my iMac's trackpad but the biggest instigator is obviously the MBA. Can't believe it--I LOVED that thing. Anyway, last night I ordered a hard case for the MBA along with a palm protecting and trackpad film. Also some palm "rests" to further distance my hands where they rest on the keyboard (and to guard against the CTS coming back). I hope this will cover up the whole laptop enough that I can use it again. I think I will now also get a film for the Mac's track pad or get a mouse. Wonder if I need keyboard covers too.

Another hand issue is a very painful middle finger of my non-dominant hand (can't blame it on trackpad) that all started at the same time. I can't seem to make a difference in it no matter what I do (haven't yet tried giving up my iMac to see if that'll help).

Anyway, just wanted to add another "case history" to this thread. Glad to know I'm not the only weird one unable to enjoy all Apple products (also iPhone and iPad user--but they've been completely protected since day 1 with case/film).

I use to get this pain as well with Dell laptops, Mitsubushi laptop.

Now have the same problem with Mac.

So this is not specific to Mac laptops.

The problem seem to be intense electromagnetic radiation emanating from the trackpad. It gets worse as the the temperature of the laptop increases.

Then I noticed that when ever I used my laptop cooler pedestals with fan running underneath - the pain simply disappeared. When I did not use the fan cooler the pain returned for all the laptops mentioned above.

Right now I am using a laptop base with two fans running underneath.

I do not have the pain at all.

When I stop the fans the pain returns very quickly after 10mts.

So the answer seem to be the temperature of the track-pad.

Hotter it gets intense the radiation becomes and the pain gets worse.

The pain can radiate all the way up the wrist, elbow and sometimes upto the shoulder. Thats because the pain is conducted by the nerves which are like electric wires running up the finger, wrist, forearm,elbow,shoulder, neck and into the brain. When the nerves are hurt then you can feel the pain running up the wrist and elbow.

One can find several types of laptop cooling pedestals online.

I bought one from Amazon.

Hope this helps.

regards,

ken

I have this same problem. I'm nearly certain it's because I have a metal allergy. It's a common problem, particularly among Caucasian women (according to a study I read). I can't wear most earrings, and even zippers or metal on my jeans makes my skin burn. Problem is, only the more expensive metals like gold or platinum don't cause a burning sensation. I certainly can't afford a golden iPad, however cool that would be. :^)

Here's this from the Mayoclinic on nickel allergies (although several different kinds of metals can cause allergies):

"Nickel allergy is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis — an itchy rash that appears when your skin touches a usually harmless substance. Nickel allergy is commonly associated with earrings and other jewelry, particularly jewelry associated with body piercings. But nickel can be found in many everyday items — from coins to zippers, from cellphones to eyeglass frames. Nickel allergy can affect people of all ages. A nickel allergy usually develops after repeated or prolonged exposure to items containing nickel. Treatments can reduce the symptoms of nickel allergy. Once you develop nickel allergy, however, you will always be sensitive to the metal and need to avoid contact."

oh great...

thanks apple...

Well to update, I got a new mac, thought it was better but its not...

I find I get pains in my fingers when the computer is slightly hot. When its cold the computer doesnt seem to bother me as much.

I dont get a rash, I just get hot hands that feel like they are somewhat on fire, and tingling.

So I use a mouse and keyboard... even with my laptop I have an external mouse and keyboard. Its the only way.

Agree with everything here except metal allergy...those touchpads are glass!! i cant type any more today my fingers are burning so much after an hour on it! buying a magic mouse soon but please APPLE look into this! (I remember looking at that glass when i first bought my 'mac book air 11" late 2013' model thinking wow design masterpiece....that wont get a shiny spot! but this is worse:-(

You may find some sensation in your fingers due to using the 'magic mouse' since it uses some of the

same touch-technologies the stand-alone touchpad and the touch pad in portable Apple computers...

To some degree, there is a similar sensation and negative feedback in my fingers from use of the

USB Apple mouse, formerly known as 'mighty mouse' wired version. It is a five button mouse with

dual-purpose scroll-wheel/button; the two buttons (hidden) near the tiny roller ball affect my fingers.

Something I've not quite felt before, and I've worked around electricity for awhile; many years.

{Other multiple button mouse products that do not use touch pad technologies, do not affect me...

I have two other mice that are mostly mechanical with extra buttons plus scroll wheel, as baseline.}

Perhaps the idea to test any new product extensively within the limited return duration is best, to see

what if any issues may result from a trackpad or touchpad built into a device, or a standalone unit that

does similar action requiring conductivity of ones hands or fingers, for the product to function.

There are static-cling protective plastic materials available from several vendors, and their composition

(type/kind) of plastic may vary somewhat. There is a possibility something like that may help, if it does

not interrupt the necessary conductivity of touch for these peripheral or built-in devices to work.

Good luck in any event...! 🙂

I have the exact same problem. Been using a MBP since 2012, and have had the problem for a little over a year now. However, I also have the same problem with my Wacom Intuos Pen & Touch graphics tablet (which also functions as a touch pad). My fingertips feel more or less constantly bruised, but only the three that are most frequently used on the pad/tablet.