Allergic to AirPod Pro eartips

Bought the APP recently and used them about 7-8 hours in total. Here is my current status.

Status Today:

• Ears itchy and moist with swelling.
• left Ear Canal Skin broken.
• can hear Blood pumping in my left Ear.
• Hearing generally muffled.
• Tissue is worst where the Tips touched it.

General Facts:

• used Sennheiser and Bose with Silicone for years, NO problems.
• regular Apple Pods, NO problems.
• IT Consultant and Diver with constant plastic/rubber/silicone/electronic device contact. NO problems in 20 years.
• NO Allergies.

First Assumptions:

• on closer inspection noticed strong chemical Stench coming from the Tips.
• assuming chemical contamination.
• primarily a material issue not a medical one as Silicone Allergies are extremely rare.

Seeking Confirmation:

• called friend (Material Scientist).
• due to smell she assumed Evaporation of (maybe) toxic compound.
• speculated maybe Solvent or Plasticizer.
• instructed me on doing a Smell Test for Evaporation.

Smell Test:

• prepared four Ziploc Bags. (unused and aired-out, neutral smell).
• detach Tips from the Pods and put each part in its own Ziploc Bag. Bags not too big and not too small.
• let parts rest for two hours (longer is better) so whatever evaporates can accumulate in the Bags.
• (prepared an extra fifth bag for the unused Small and Large Tips).
• after two hours gently opened Bags one after the other and immediately but carefully Smell-Tested the Air inside. best to be in a well aired room and take generous breaks between the Tests so the nose can "recalibrate".
• extra Test Bags with Bose/Sennheiser Tips.

Results:

• Bag with the unused Small/Large Tips contained a shocking amount of chemical Stench!
• very similar to Industrial Grade Solvent or and Acidic Cleaning Solution. Smell subsided quickly but still noticeable when in close proximity to nostrils.
• Medium Tips no better, after three days of usage noticeable chemical Stench.
• Pods themselves only very mild (but similar) chemical Stench which vanished very quickly.
• immediately stopped using the Tips and now keep them in a Ziploc Bag.
• Test Bags with Bose/Sennheiser FREE OF STENCH.

Conclusions:

• there is some kind of highly toxic chemical compound evaporating from the APP Silicone Tips.
• Tips are contaminating the Pods inside their charging case. Would explain why more sensitive users react to the whole Pod Assembly with reactions outside of the ear canal.
• Primary Health Issues after using the APP are most likely NOT an Allergy/Infection but something similar to A CHEMICAL BURN! Ears are desperately trying to drain out out the toxic compound. Poisoned skin is drying out and dying. Infections are probably second in the chain since the skin is damaged and ready for bacterial invasion.
• would explain the long healing process and why Antibiotics barely help.
• GENTLY&REGULARLY CLEAN THE AFFECTED AREA WITH A Q-TIP SOAKED IN A SALINE SOLUTION TO WASH OUT THE TOXIC MOLECULES AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.
• selling Millions of Pods with few complaints matters nothing since the reaction might only show in people sensitive to this specific compound.
• if you lack sensitivity the compound used will STILL accumulate and might cause massive health problems long term.
• DO NOT USE SMELLING SILICONE TIPS!
• (checked long term APP owners. pre 2020 production batch seem to be mostly free of these issues as well as the Stench.)

What`s next:

• Stored all the Tips airtight and leave the Pods themselves outside so they can air-out. Will do more Ziploc Smell Tests on the Pods to check on contamination.
• IF Pods have no more noticeable chemical stench I will try third party Tips and run another Test. Results in the thread were mixed maybe due to Pod contamination.
• Will clean affected areas with generous amounts of Saline Solution as mentioned. Two washes today already brought down Itching/Swelling considerably.
• Will Chat with Apple Europe on Monday escalating the Issue.
• Will contact local Labs and Universities for a proper chemical/material analysis. Essential to find out what is used in these Tips to cause such violent reactions.

I will update the post as it develops.

And to accompany the contact Apple Support post, below is a rundown of symptoms/remedies reported in this group with the AirPods Pro over the past 11 months. Also, advocate if you can!

Common Symptoms

• Itching (Very common)
• Pain (Very common)
• Crusting around outside of ear (Very common)
• Fluid drainage (Very common)
• Ear pressure
• Headaches
• Ringing of the ears (later stages for some)
• Partial hearing loss/distortion (later stages for some)
• Apple's list of materials that may cause sensitivity: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211158

Remedies

• Stop wearing them (best and recommended solution)
• Prescription medicine from doctor in some cases (take this issue seriously, it's your hearing). Keeping medical records can help with an Apple refund request too.
• Time (weeks to months to fully recover)
• Very few have had any sustained success with coverings or new tips (stop wearing them is recommended)

Advocating

• Contact Apple Support directly and report this allergy shared by many of their APP users. Tell the support agent, "I want to raise a Safety Escalation." And relate your story and the stories of fellow sufferers here.

And to accompany the contact Apple Support post, below is a rundown of symptoms/remedies reported in this group with the AirPods Pro over the past 13 months. Also, advocate if you can!

Common Symptoms

• Itching (Very common)
• Pain (Very common)
• Crusting around outside of ear (Very common)
• Fluid drainage (Very common)
• Ear pressure
• Headaches
• Ringing of the ears (later stages for some)
• Partial hearing loss/distortion (later stages for some)
• Apple's list of materials that may cause sensitivity: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211158

Remedies

• Stop wearing them (best and recommended solution)
• See a doctor and don't self medicate. Prescription medicine is needed in some cases (take this issue seriously; it's your hearing). Keeping medical records can help with an Apple refund request too.
• Time (weeks to months to fully recover)
• Very few have had sustained success with coverings or new tips (stop wearing them is recommended); the tips may not be the only cause.

Advocating

• Contact Apple Support directly and report this allergy shared by many of their APP users. Tell the support agent, "I want to raise a Safety Escalation." And relate your story and the stories of fellow sufferers here.

I spoke to someone in AppleCare in their Safety department. AirPods Pro 2 have the same formulation in the eartips as the 1st generation. If you are having an allergic reaction to the original AirPods Pro, you will have the same allergic outcome with the 2nd generation AirPods Pro. I made a report of my allergic reaction with them. I was asked many many questions, which at first I thought some were odd, like ever being allergic to acrylic nails. Not so odd after all...

This page explains that the AirPods Pro contain Acrylates 'in trace amounts': Wearing your AirPods, EarPods, or Beats devices - Apple Support and in the link in footnote #1 at the bottom of that page, they list Acrylates as a 'restricted chemical for prolonged use'. I never had a problem with the original wired EarBuds (or even the AirPods Pro for the 1st 6 months of use). Similarly, I had acrylic nails for 10 years and then formed an allergic reaction. It's something that can happen over time. Then you're done. The issue doesn't just go away. After you stop using the AirPods Pro (or whatever product is causing your ear drainage, etc) for a couple weeks, and your ears heal, you will immediately have that problem again quickly, if you go back to using them again. That's what happened to me. Unfortunately, they list AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, EarPods, and Beats headphones & earphones as all containing Acrylates. Thankfully, this compound does not appear to be in the Solo Loop watch band, as I have worn it without issue all day, every day.

My temporary fix for my AirPods Pro: After reading other recommendations, I started using the COMPLY foam tips and they seem to work. I still don't push it though, and don't wear my AirPods Pro for extended periods of time. The COMPLY foam tips on Amazon were also recommended to me by an Apple Store employee: https://tinyurl.com/ythtnx4y I found the Medium size fit me just the same as the original Medium AirPods Pro tip. I would think you could try any of the various foam tips that others have recommended in here as well.

Report your allergy issue to AppleCare, and ask to speak to someone in Safety. Maybe if enough people alert them to having an allergy to their products, they will create something that we can all safely wear. I really wish there was a better solution (something Apple that I could use), but for now, Apple has offered me a full refund for my AirPods Pro.

I have contact dermatitis to methyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate and propolis. Acrylates are the problem for me. That’s what is used in the manufacturing of the ear tips of the AirPods. I get irritation that becomes a burning which produces a thin leathery scab inside my ear. There is a prescription called clobetesol that clears it up. I am looking for an alternate tip material. You may have the same allergy.

FIXED -

in Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B088KPNKN2?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Bought the Airpod Pro 2nd Gen. but as soon as I put them in, my ears they started to itch and eventually ache. I was constantly taking them out and scratching. Then it started to feel like the ache was going deeper so I just took them out and stopped using them altogether. I was concerned I was going to get an infection (other people on here have complained about having to go to the doctor for medical attention). I need headphones for work so this was quite frustrating and because I bought them from "The Source" I couldn't return them. I figured I would give these tips a try and see if it fixed the problem before trying to resell the buds on FB Marketplace.

Luckily these replacement tips fixed the problem. I grabbed the S-M-L pack just incase and have been using these for a few weeks now with no issues.

(I do find this odd as I have other "silicone" products, such as my fitbit, that have never bothered me. There must be something weird in these airpod tips that is bothering people...Thanks a lot, Apple.)

And to accompany the contact Apple Support post, below is a rundown of symptoms/remedies reported in this group with the AirPods Pro (APP) over the past 14 months.

Common Symptoms

• Itching (Very common)
• Pain (Very common)
• Crusting around outside of ear (Very common)
• Fluid drainage (Very common)
• Ear pressure
• Headaches
• Ringing of the ears (later stages for some)
• Partial hearing loss/distortion (later stages for some)
• Apple's list of materials that may cause sensitivity: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211158

Remedies

• Stop wearing them (best and recommended solution)
• See a doctor and don't self medicate. Prescription medicine is needed in some cases (take this issue seriously; it's your hearing). Pictures and keeping medical records can help with an Apple refund request too.
• Time (weeks to months to fully recover)
• Inconclusive, varied results with coverings or new tips still means not wearing them is the recommended remedy for most; the tips may not be the only or single cause for many of us. This forum thread has a mixed bag of outcomes listed with alternative tips if you wish to explore.
• Consider alternatives to in-ear headphones (some wearers report long-term sensitivity after the APP reaction) , such as over-the-ear or even bone conduction headphones. None of these go in the ear canal and are less likely to trigger an allergic response.

Contacting Apple Support

• Frequently, you will be asked for evidence if you request a refund when reporting you symptoms. Documentation from a doctor and pictures can help with this process.

And to accompany the contact Apple Support post, below is a rundown of symptoms/remedies reported in this group with the AirPods Pro (APP) over the past 14 months.

Common Symptoms

• Itching (Very common)
• Pain (Very common)
• Crusting around outside of ear (Very common)
• Fluid drainage (Very common)
• Ear pressure
• Headaches
• Ringing of the ears (later stages for some)
• Partial hearing loss/distortion (later stages for some)
• Apple's list of materials that may cause sensitivity: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211158

Remedies

• Stop wearing them (best and recommended solution)
• See a doctor and don't self medicate. Prescription medicine is needed in some cases (take this issue seriously; it's your hearing). Pictures and keeping medical records can help with an Apple refund request too.
• Time (weeks to months to fully recover)
• Inconclusive, varied results with coverings or new tips still means not wearing them is the recommended remedy for most; the tips may not be the only or single cause for many of us. This forum thread has a mixed bag of outcomes listed with alternative tips if you wish to explore.
• Consider alternatives to in-ear headphones (since many have reported long-term sensitivity after the initial APP reaction), such as over-the-ear or even bone conduction headphones. None of these go in the ear canal and are less likely to trigger an allergic response. Do note, however, that there have been a couple recent posts here that AirPods Max have led to reactions too.

Contacting Apple Support

• Frequently, you will be asked for evidence if you request a refund when reporting you symptoms. Documentation from a doctor and/or supporting pictures can help with this process.

And to accompany the contact Apple Support post, below is a rundown of symptoms/remedies reported in this group with the AirPods Pro (APP) over the past 14 months.

Common Symptoms

• Itching (Very common)
• Pain (Very common)
• Crusting around outside of ear (Very common)
• Fluid drainage (Very common)
• Ear pressure
• Headaches
• Ringing of the ears (later stages for some)
• Partial hearing loss/distortion (later stages for some)
• Apple's list of materials that may cause sensitivity: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211158

Remedies

• Stop wearing them (best and recommended solution)
• See a doctor and don't self medicate. Prescription medicine is needed in some cases (take this issue seriously; it's your hearing). Pictures and keeping medical records can help with an Apple refund request too.
• Time (weeks to months to fully recover)
• Inconclusive, varied results with coverings or new tips still means not wearing them is the recommended remedy for most; the tips may not be the only or single cause for many of us. This forum thread has a mixed bag of outcomes listed with alternative tips if you wish to explore.
• Consider alternatives to in-ear headphones (since many have reported long-term sensitivity after the initial APP reaction), such as over-the-ear or even bone conduction headphones. None of these go in the ear canal and are less likely to trigger an allergic response. Do note, however, that there have been a couple recent posts here that AirPods Max have led to reactions too.

Contacting Apple Support

• Frequently, you will be asked for evidence if you request a refund when reporting you symptoms. Documentation from a doctor and/or supporting pictures can help with this process.

** SOLUTION **

I tried the replacement AirPod Pro eartips suggested by Gladiator_AppleGuy on page 76 here, and after more than a week of use the problem has not returned. As a bonus, they're not silicone but a heat-sensitive plastic that molds to your ear for a better sound seal than the original. Search on Amazon for "AZLA SednaEarfit XELASTEC for Airpods Pro". The best $24 I've spent in a long while.

FWIW, I don't think it's an allergic reaction so much as a skin irritation caused by the chemistry of the original Apple eartips. But the reaction can be quite severe, painful, and cause loss of hearing. I treated it for 3 months with a popular prescription skin cream called Triamcinolone Acetonide 0.1% - the condition would clear up after a couple weeks, but the cycle kept repeating until I realized the AirPod Pros were the cause. I removed the eartips and used the AirPod Pros without any tips for a time to confirm this before buying the AZLA tips above.

And to accompany the contact Apple Support post, below is a rundown of symptoms/remedies reported in this group with the AirPods Pro (APP) over the past 15 months.

Common Symptoms

• Itching (Very common)
• Pain (Very common)
• Crusting, flaking around outside of ear (Very common)
• Fluid drainage (Very common)
• Swelling
• Ear pressure
• Headaches
• Ringing of the ears (later stages for some)
• Partial hearing loss/distortion (later stages for some)
• Apple's list of materials that may cause sensitivity: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211158

Remedies

• Stop wearing them (best and recommended solution)
• See a doctor and don't self medicate. Prescription medicine is needed in some cases (take this issue seriously; it's your hearing). Pictures and keeping medical records can help with an Apple refund request too.
• Time (weeks to months to fully recover)
• Inconclusive, varied results with coverings or new tips still means not wearing them is the recommended remedy for most; the tips may not be the only or single cause for many of us. This forum thread has a mixed bag of outcomes listed with alternative tips if you wish to experiment on yourself.
• Consider alternatives to in-ear headphones (since many have reported long-term sensitivity after the initial APP reaction), such as over-the-ear or even bone conduction headphones. None of these go in the ear canal and are less likely to trigger an allergic response. Do note, however, that there have been a couple posts here that AirPods Max have led to reactions too.

Contacting Apple Support

• Frequently, you will be asked for evidence if you request a refund when reporting your symptoms. Documentation from a doctor and/or supporting pictures can help with this process.

And to accompany the contact Apple Support post, below is a rundown of symptoms/remedies reported in this group with the AirPods Pro (APP) over the past 15 months.

Common Symptoms

• Itching (Very common)
• Pain (Very common)
• Crusting, flaking around outside of ear (Very common)
• Fluid drainage (Very common)
• Swelling
• Ear pressure
• Headaches
• Ringing of the ears (later stages for some)
• Partial hearing loss/distortion (later stages for some)
• Apple's list of materials that may cause sensitivity: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211158

Remedies

• Stop wearing them (best and recommended solution)
• See a doctor and don't self medicate. Prescription medicine is needed in some cases (take this issue seriously; it's your hearing). Pictures and keeping medical records can help with an Apple refund request too.
• Time (weeks to months to fully recover)
• Inconclusive, varied results with coverings or new tips still means not wearing them is the recommended remedy for most; the tips may not be the only or single cause for many of us. This forum thread has a mixed bag of outcomes listed with alternative tips if you wish to experiment on yourself.
• Consider alternatives to in-ear headphones (since many have reported long-term sensitivity after the initial APP reaction), such as over-the-ear or even bone conduction headphones. None of these go in the ear canal and are less likely to trigger an allergic response. Do note, however, that there have been a couple posts here that AirPods Max have led to reactions too.

Contacting Apple Support

• Frequently, you will be asked for evidence if you request a refund when reporting your symptoms. Documentation from a doctor and/or supporting pictures can help with this process.

A short note to thread opener and all that come here through Google like me looking for a solution to keep using the AirPod Pro. After lots of trial and error I found a very simple and reliable solution which is to simply re-order the AirPod Pro replacement eartips. These are not the same as the ones that you get delivered with your AirPod Pro. The outside packaging looks the same but the inside package and of course the content, the Eartips are different. So in short the solution is to order the replacement Eartips from Apple.

To give some background:

I used the AirPod Pro from day one of their release, I was a very happy AirPod customer from Gen 1 to Gen 2 and then the AirPodPro (APP). After about one year one of my AirPod Pro fell down and developed a hardware failure. There was a constant clicking sounds every time you moved your head, something must have broken off/gotten loose inside. So I sold them as broken on eBay and bought a new pair from Apple. Just days after using the brand new AirPod Pro from Apple, the second pair which I bought I developed the itching, ear canal infection, etc. the same problem everyone has. My ENT doctor treated me for three weeks but insisted from the beginning that this is not an infection but more a severe reaction. I tried all things, over two months, I even ordered the new AirPod Max, all with the same result. My ears continued to itch and be infected. It always took 2-3 weeks to get back to normal. With the AirPod Max it is even worse as your/my entire ears looked like red glowing tomatoes for 3-5 days and feels like strongly sunburnt. I was almost ready to give up when I found a forum post of someone stating that the replacement Eartips do not "smell bad as the original ones currently being delivered". To note, I noticed the chemical silicon smells strongly on the AirPod Mac and on the AirPod Pro Tips. So I ordered the replacements and what is there so say, they are made from a different material, they have a slightly different color, do not smell at all and cause no reactions. I opened a case with Apple and shared this with them, I even told them the exact batch and serial numbers charges and they promised to submit it internally for research towards the supply chain.

In any way I am now a happy AirPod Pro user again. I would most certainly have just given up if I had not – without issues – used the original AirPod Pro for a year right after their release. I hope this is of help to anyone.

Be sure to buy the replacement tipps from Apple via their store and not some shady Amazon retailer.

And to accompany the contact Apple Support post, below is a rundown of symptoms/remedies reported in this group with the AirPods Pro (APP) over the past 16 months.

Common Symptoms

• Itching (Very common)
• Pain (Very common)
• Crusting, flaking around outside of ear (Very common)
• Fluid drainage (Very common)
• Swelling
• Ear pressure
• Headaches
• Ringing of the ears (later stages for some)
• Partial hearing loss/distortion (later stages for some)
• Apple's list of materials that may cause sensitivity: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211158

Remedies

• Stop wearing them (best and recommended solution)
• See a doctor and don't self medicate. Prescription medicine is needed in some cases (take this issue seriously; it's your hearing). Pictures and keeping medical records can help with an Apple refund request too.
• Time (weeks to months to fully recover)
• Inconclusive, typically negative results from coverings or new tips (documented many times over) still mean not wearing them is the recommended remedy for most; the tips may not be the only or single cause for many of us. Several have even tested without using tips at all and still had reactions.
• Consider alternatives to in-ear headphones (since many have reported long-term sensitivity after the initial APP reaction), such as over-the-ear or even bone conduction headphones. None of these go in the ear canal and are less likely to trigger an allergic response. Do note, however, that there have been a couple posts here that AirPods Max have led to reactions too.

Contacting Apple Support

• Frequently, you will be asked for evidence if you request a refund when reporting your symptoms. Documentation from a doctor and/or supporting pictures may help with this process.

And to accompany the contact Apple Support post, below is a rundown of symptoms/remedies reported in this group with the AirPods Pro (APP) over the past 16 months.

Common Symptoms

• Itching (Very common)
• Pain (Very common)
• Crusting, flaking around outside of ear (Very common)
• Fluid drainage (Very common)
• Swelling
• Ear pressure
• Headaches
• Ringing of the ears (later stages for some)
• Partial hearing loss/distortion (later stages for some)
• Apple's list of materials that may cause sensitivity: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211158

Remedies

• Stop wearing them (best and recommended solution)
• See a doctor and don't self medicate. Prescription medicine is needed in some cases (take this issue seriously; it's your hearing). Pictures and keeping medical records can help with an Apple refund request too.
• Time (weeks to months to fully recover)
• Inconclusive, typically negative results from coverings or new tips (documented many times over) still mean not wearing them is the recommended remedy for most; the tips may not be the only or single cause for many of us. Several have even tested without using tips at all and still had reactions.
• Consider alternatives to in-ear headphones (since many have reported long-term sensitivity after the initial APP reaction), such as over-the-ear or even bone conduction headphones. None of these go in the ear canal and are less likely to trigger an allergic response. Do note, however, that there have been a couple posts here that AirPods Max have led to reactions too.

Contacting Apple Support

• Frequently, you will be asked for evidence if you request a refund when reporting your symptoms. Documentation from a doctor and/or supporting pictures may help with this process.