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Soreness and numbness in fingertips from trackpad

I've been getting sore fingertips and numbness from using my 2010 Macbook Air's trackpad. It has got progressively worse over the 18 months I've owned it. It get's too painful to touch the pad after a few hours.


I press as lightly as possible and switched to tap-to-click a few months ago and, although it hasn't got any worse, it hasn't got better either. It doesn't go away even if I don't use it for days and I'm starting to worry that it is permanent damage.


I am a part-time student so I can't simply stop using it. I am also a builder's labourer so it's not that I have soft hands.


I tend to use it on the sofa, so a mouse doesn't seem to be the answer and also partly defeats the point of having a laptop.


Anyone else have this problem?

MacBook Air (13-inch Late 2010), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Aug 15, 2012 5:23 AM

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Posted on Dec 11, 2013 8:40 PM

Just posted this to another forum but I'll post it here as well.


I echo GoodSamritan's suggestions.


I have been having finger tip sensitivity while using the trackpad for about a year. Sometimes it is better sometimes it's worse. I think I've come across multiple contributors:

  • ]The coating on the trackpad is wearing off. I believe the coating is probably some sort of low friction substance.
  • My hands get dry in the winter.


Solutions:

  • Apply a high quality phone or tablet screen protector on top of your trackpad. I'm using a cheap one right now. A new one is coming in the mail. My fingers did start to hurt again on the one I'm currently using but it may be compounded by the winter dryness of my hands.
  • Apply scotch tape over the trackpad. I used the matte finish type. This actually worked really well. I may actually go back to it if the screen protector doesn't work out. I overlapped the edges of the tape some so they wouldn't peel up. One strip of wide tape may be the best.
  • Cut a finger off a rubber glove and put it on the finger that is sensitive. Make sure the glove doesn't bunch up on the soar spot or cut off circulation. I'm trying this out right now. Seems to work well. I'm using a nitrile glove from harbor freight.


Still looking on the internet for any other solutions. Interestingly the search results that come up are mostly about Macbooks

23 replies

Feb 21, 2015 6:00 AM in response to Eric Root

I have never posted on Apple communities but this problem has made me sign up just to comment on this problem. Eric - I posted my complaint and hope that others will do so too.


This is ridiculous, that a company such as Apple would allow this to happen, but worse, not fix the problem once they were aware of it. I even went to a neurologist to see if I had some beginning horrible disease. I have purchased a keyboard, mouse, switched fingers, hands, etc., but it defeats the purpose of having a laptop if you cannot use the built in keyboard and track pad. I am extremely disappointed and hope that Apple reads their supporters posts. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!!!!


Here is my post to feedback.

I have all apple products. Recently, I switched to Mac Book Pro Retina Display from PC. If I had known that I would have a constantly sore index finger and thumb from using the track pad, I would NEVER have purchased this computer. I have used my PC's track pad for years (25 years...) and never have had a problem. What is it with Mac book Pro that causes this problem? PLEASE FIX IT OR DEVELOP SOMETHING I CAN BUY TO ALLEIATE THE PROBLEM.

Oct 6, 2015 5:33 AM in response to Kathymel

Hey, this issue is real. I personally experienced it. So, first, you're not alone!

I tried using the Trackpad using those special Gloves I found on Amazon, but it didn't help much.

So, the only thing working in my case, is the use of a Wireless (or even Wired will work) Mouse. It isn't that good, but still saves us from the health hazard.

For the record, that sensation was worse. It made me think so many stupid things.

I even shared a detailed information on this topic over my blog here. http://how2this.com/2015/fingertips-pain-caused-trackpad-macbook/45/

Mar 25, 2016 12:14 PM in response to kerrigodman

RSIs can occur with any repetitive movement. And mine have never gone away; if I do too much text entry, I get soreness in my cubical tunnels. At one point it was bad enough that I also had numbness in my little finger and ring finger. It was hard to sleep because I had to keep my arms straight. Grip strengthening exercises helped some, but only a very sizable reduction in keyboard use, with frequent breaks when I did type, helped. I also had tennis elbow from the old late 80s one-button mouse, and the beginnings of carpal tunnel soreness. I had to alter my habits and invest in ergonomic mice (Contour Design makes the best ergonomic mice).


Those of you who have pain from trackpad use need to find ways to adjust your computer use. A good mouse is the easiest potential fix, even if it means you can't do as much work away from a desk.

May 20, 2016 6:15 AM in response to Kathymel

I'm getting this from using the magic mouse too - very sensitive fingertips

Think I preferred the track wheel - which I know had other, but less painful, problems .

I'm trying using talcum powder at the moment to see if that alleviates it a bit.

It's as a previous poster said - our fingers are designed for gripping not sliding

Someone else also noted that this complaint only seems to pop up in regards to Apple products

- googling for answers doesn't really point to any other specific company.

This problem has been coming up for years now - still no improvement?!.

Soreness and numbness in fingertips from trackpad

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