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

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.

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.

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.

I am a professional in computer industry and spend over 10 hrs a day on the computer.  So, i have decades of experience to back up my observations. I have used windows laptops exclusively for nearly a decade.  Different brand names, never had a problem (except with the Lenovo thinkpad which had rough finish on their trackpads).  I switched to Macbook about a year back and loved the experience of Mac after decades on windows.  I will continue to buy and work on Macs from now on and make a switch from Windows for life.   But, at the same time i have to mention that Apple has a big problem that they have not addressed so far (surprisingly).   This is not an illusion, and i suspect this affects millions around the world.  I don't know how they kept a lid on it for so long.  This problem is not restricted to a specific race or age group or number of hours spent on the laptop.   An investigation should be done by apple to find if it is  because of the Nickel Aluminum contact  AND/OR  the Eletromagnectic behavior  of the circuits beneath trackpad.   Being used to this type of work, my fingers were strong enough to withstand this trouble for many months.  But, when it started getting worse, it got burnt/bruised   within a short period of time and progressed to painful levels  dramatically fast.   Now, i am going to buy the trackpad film  as well as gloves as suggested by others.  Indeed someone should bring it to the attention of the press/TV.  They love these stories. Otherwise it is unlikely to get attention of apple, for a fix soon, while millions suffer around the world.

I remembered couple of things overnight, after my previous post.  Even though i started using macbook an year ago, i was mostly on my windows laptop while i would use the mac only for short periods.  I switched to being full on macbookPro user only couple of months ago.  Within a month of this continuous use everyday for long hours,  I was seeing the fingertip burn/scars/pain.  I think it depends on the sensitivity of the person, and may differ vastly on factors like age, sex, ethnicity.  But,  even though you may not feel it, your body is getting affected by this for sure, for everyone at different levels. 

Second :  Since I need to use this MBP continuously for ongoing project, I needed a solution right away without waiting for delivery of  trackpad protector from Amazon.  Since i read on few sites that people have had success with cell phone screen protectors, I installed the one I had laying around. It was cell phone screen protector for a galaxy Note,  but it was big enough to cover my trackpad. So, i cut it with care to size even though it is not as perfect as you might get from a product at amazon.  But, guess what - as soon as i installed it on top of trackpad, i could instantly feel the difference on my fingertips. It works and after only  2 minutes, i was used to it as if there was nothing on my trackpad. 

You can find product discussion at  http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/touchpad-fingers-hurt.429897/   which concludes that Moshi brand is the best.  This sells for $20 currently, but i got my cell phone protectors cheap (3 for $8) and i can use it on different devices like what i did now.  Wanted to give feedback here, because this thread has been useful to me during past 12 hrs.  If this solution does not work over the long term, i will post again after seeing results for a month or two.  Otherwise, it means, i am happy with the $0  that i spent today.