Users of Oculus Quest 2 complain of itchy and red faces

The Oculus Quest 2 is one of the popular virtual reality headsets of Facebook. But the social networking giant is recalling the foam padding of the device after many users reported about rashes on the face. One of the co-workers of Jeff Berling had warned about the rash. IT contractor Jeff Berling had bought the Quest 2 by Oculus in the month of July. He was told that he should get a face-pad insert from a third party seller. He was warned that the one that the face-pad that comes with the box causes rashes and redness on the face.

But Berling went ahead to use the device as it came with the package and was used it for about an hour of two. Soon he started to feel tingles and the skin in the shape of the goggles became red and itchy. Facebook assured last week that it is recalling the removable foam facial pad after reports of skin irritation. The social networking giant added that the recall was voluntary and that it has also paused the sales of the headset until August 24, 2021. The company is planning to add a silicon cover that fits over the foam in the box of the Oculus headset.

People who already have bought the device can request for a free silicon cover, by placing a request online. The matter went up to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that said that the social network received more than 5,700 reports of skin irritation. People had complained of irritation, hives and burning. 45 of the cases had needed medical attention. The Quest 2 headset is priced at $299.

The Quest 2 was launched in October 2020 and since then the company has manufactured nearly 4 million of the foam facial inserts in the United States and nearly 172,000 in Canada. They have been sold with headsets and as separate accessories. However, the number of reports represent to a very small percentage of the Quest 2 users. Moreover, many of them continue to remain unverified.

Photo Credits: Upload VR