Allergic to AirPod Pro eartips

Hi all,

So just to add to the discussion, I to have had reactions from wearing my AirPod Pros and can also confirm that it appears to be the silicon material that the tips are made from. Very similar reaction to some of the posts on here. Wearing them for (for example) a 10 min phone call is sufficient to bring on the reaction that takes days to heal. It starts with an itching inside the ear where the tips have come into contact with the skin. Very quickly develops into a "wet" feeling - like you would get from a blister oozing - clear, weeping and itchy. The wet fluid crusts over time but grows like a scab because the damaged tissue continues to weep and this can close the ear canal. It comes off pretty easy and I've used warm salty water on a cotton bud to clear the ear but it just comes back and I've found that the best thing to do is just leave it alone and it clears up in 2-4 days. Again, it does cause the ear to weep on to the pillow during sleep and I've taken to rolling-up a small piece of tissue or cotton wool and inserting it into my ear whilst I sleep. I've cleaned the tips thoroughly using warm soapy water and even anti-bac gel (we've all got loads of that these days!), but nothing works. Every time I think "it'll be OK this time" - I get the same results. I've stopped using them for the time being and hope that 3rd party tips are released with different material. I also own a pair of AirPods and Beats X and have no problem with those. The BeatsX have very similar black silicon tips but I have no problems with those at all; even after hours of wear, even after a long run. Shame the tips aren't interchangeable!!

I had the same question for my ENT, who advised that our bodies can take time to develop allergies and if we don't pick up on early warning signs the reactions will become more severe/obvious. As for why other pairs of silicone tips don't cause as severe a reaction for me/others, it's either because of the lack of airflow that comes with ANC buds, or there's a specific chemical in newer tips that differs from other brands.

I asked about a fungal infection as well, to which they replied that they didn't see any sign.

I had the same situation and hopes going into my alternative tips (AIRSPO silicone, CharJenPro Memory foam) experiments, with regards to the allergy developing after months of seemingly no issue, but it ultimately resulted in more pain, time, and money wasted. But your body, your choice!

I also had this happen after about a week and a half of light use - double ear infections with drainage. I went to see my doctor and she prescribed anti-bacterial ear drops. Here I am 8 days later now, almost fully recovered (the skin in my ear still doesn't feel right...) with no more drainage. I haven't had an ear infection since I was child. I don't cross-contaminate any objects (i.e. Q-tips) between my ears and have no other change to habit or lifestyle. Apple's AirPod Pros are 100% the cause of this issue. I have ordered replacement silicon attachments from another vendor on Amazon as I have never had any reaction to any silicon product before.

Apple - please disclose the manufacturing process and makeup of your tips. Change whatever you're doing immediately as this is a real problem.

It took some time but I went through and read all the posts on here from start to finish. It appears to me that most people are having the same issue. It seems to get worse, not better, for most over time. I personally used the smallest tips right from the start but I don’t believe that matters in my case. I can set the silicone tip loosely in my ear and have a reaction to that alone without having it attached to the AirPod Pro. At this point I’m just trying to save people some of the trouble I’ve been through. I think it starts as a reaction but the irritation to the skin and blockage, swelling & drainage probably makes people susceptible to a secondary bacterial infection. The longer the irritation continues, the more likely that probably becomes and longer it will take to heal.

I’ve also had the same problem, but thought it was just me!

I ordered APP in October 2019 and used daily without issues until just before Christmas 2019, when I started to really notice drainage/crusting/swelling of both ears.

I have never had any ear problems before including not having any allergies and I didn't really know what was responsible for it at the time and I went to the Dr's who gave me some drops. That obviously didn't work and then after 3 repeated dr's visits I was finally referred to the Ear dept at the hospital at the end of Jan 2020. In that period I did reduce the amount of time I was using APP and also trying to not let water get inside my ears.

Hospital visits were really beneficial.. not only did they clean the inside of my ears to remove the crust, they cleaned and prescribed medication with with a clear daily routine for a week and then went back to a check up. They said it was all good.. keep ears dry for another week and then go back to normal life. So I did.

What a mistake... I started using the APP again and low and behold, same problems are before. Not as severe as I noticed the problem straight away and then it really did click... it was definitely the APP's.

While I waited for another hospital appt, I ordered some foam tips from Amazon hoping they would be the cure... However, they had no effect at all.

A few more hospital trips later and ears all cleaned, different medication given with a weekly routine and again, no water ingress for a week (this time I made sure there was no water ingress for 3 weeks). Ears were much better.

That was end of February 2020.

Since then I have not put anything inside my ear - no APP's, no alternative brand ear buds. I only used my over the ear Bose QC35's which were going and tattered. 

I thought I would stick to over the ear and get the Sony XM4's... tried those in October 2020 and after 1 day the outside of my ear started to irritate (nothing major but I noticed it straight away as my ears were still sensitive). I had some of the cream the hospital prescribed so used that for a few days and it cleared up.

I now only have the Bose and I haven't tried the regular AirPods (non Pro) as I just fear putting anything inside my ears will produce a reaction. Even though I have used AirPods since Day 1 release (first and second generation).. 

And then I did a google search and found this thread. WOW.

I am uncertain whether I can return my APP to Apple (purchased direct from them) as They're just out of the 12 month warranty but what I can and probably should do is at least report this to them just like you have.

I sincerely hope Apple listen to feedback for the future as I absolutely loved the APP's and every day miss their functionality. The switching between devices is sorely missed.

Anyway, sorry for the rather long post but this is my story of how I got here.

Yes I have worst experience with AirPods Pro with silicon tips. I purchased it also when this product introduced newly. From April onwards I started felling itching followed by discharged. On checking with doctor, I was told there is some reaction of use of silicon tips with skin of ears. It triggers some sort of chemical reaction when ear skin touches the silicon tips in both years. I reported this issue to Apple care, I was replaced both AirPods with new ones but problem still persist. I reported this issue again. After wait of over one week I am told to return the airports for full replacement for which I am still waiting on the process to follow. Dedicated support age t 2tier Marc is touch with me and helping me to complete this return. I have also asked to consider to give me a special Customer discount as free replacement of AirPods without silicon. Waiting in the final decision from the apple support team tier 2. Conclusion: yes there is a serious issue with silicon tips on AirPods Pro, people may get itching with discharge of liquids coming from the ear’s outer canal. Guys take care. Apple support taking this issue serious and finding the long term solution I guess. Thanks stay safe and healthy out there.

My doctor had given me drops but that didn't clear the problem for me. I finally went to ENT for treatment and was also prescribed Ciprodex, which worked for me to clear the severe itching issue. I received my full refund from Apple but it took a while. I requested a refund for my doctor and prescription co-pay and they approved that as well.

I believe the problem is not limited to Apple only. I recently decided to try the new Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and immediately started noticing itching in my ears. Two days later with only less than two hours of use, my itching had returned. Not wanting to go through the experience I had before, I decided to just return them before it was too late. They were really good as well. I used to have Bose Soundsport before and never had any issues with them. Regular AirPods also didn't give me any reaction but won't hold up in my ear, they slip out. I have now given up using earbuds and will rely on over the ear headset.

Yes. With the new AirPod Pros. I tried several different brand of tips and all were an issue. I finally ordered Raycon earbuds. They are the best and only replacement that do not cause my ears to have watery drainage or itching and severe sores. Sorry Apple, but I can’t use your earbuds at all because of the allergic reactions.

It takes longer than you'd like if you don't get something to take care of it. Ciprodex drops worked really well for me. I had double ear infections. Both ears were almost swollen completely shut and the itchy oozy business bothered me too. Ciprodex is expensive for some crazy reason but if you get it directly from a Patient First (you can ask them if you can buy it from them instead of a pharmacy) it was significantly less for me. Like $80 or something instead of $240. Ask you doctor if there is something like Ciprodex that is cheaper maybe.

I had a similar issue with AirPods Max, which I received for Christmas: a severe allergic reaction consistent with the symptoms for allergic contact dermatitis, probably caused by the acrylates or methacrylates used in the AirPods. As they were purchased in the Apple Store, which is now closed for lockdown, I had to arrange a return with Apple Support.

Hi, bought the AirPods Pro July 2020 and had 3 ear infections (both ears) before I realised the AirPods were the issue. The third time was more a test, and indeed my ears start itching the very next day. Using ear drips (triamcinolonacetonide FNA) solved the ear infection after 2 weeks. After the first time I cleaned my AirPods with 70% alcohol after each use, making sure they were clean. I never had them in longer than 45-60 min, as I mostly used them for Team meetings. In total I have been dripping ear drips for 6 weeks (3 x 2 weeks), kind of worrying.

Didn't had the problem with the classic AirPods, so I assume the sillicone ear tips are the culprit. I've created a support ticket with Apple to see if they have a solution, Today I have been interrogated with a lot of questions by an Apple support employee though no conclusive solution has been provided. I've asked what the chemicals are, used in the silicone ear tips, as I have never suffered one ear infection in my whole life, quite curious to what I'm allegoric to as other silicone products don't bother me. The support employee didn't know.

I have been experiencing ear infections 2X in the last month. I bought the AirPods Pro back in October. I have only been using it frequently at work in December. I noticed the itching at first when I started using the AirPods Pro for a few hours at work. The week of Christmas was my last week at work before holiday and it was when I had the first ear infection. Both ears were in pain and my right ear was swollen. I did a telehealth and I was given antibiotics/steroid drops, which alleviated the pain. It got better and was relieved. But I went back to using the AirPod Pros again to watch videos on my phone and I had developed another ear infection. This time was more severe than the first. Lost hearing in the left ear and right ear was swollen and painful that it hurts to move my jaw or sleep on right side of face. To make the long story short, I spent New Year’s Day in urgent care. I was given a more stronger antibiotic drops and was beginning to feel better after a few days. But I didn’t get back my hearing until a few days ago. I knew my infections were a result of wearing the AirPod Pros. I had no problem with the regular EarPods that would come in the box with the iPhones. I actually would even sleep with them on. Just last night I had used the AirPod Pro and my ears started to get itchy and moist the next day. Knowing I did not want to go through all that misery again, I was glad I had leftover antibiotic drops.

I had the same exact problem. I was using my Airpods Pro for a while, and everything was OK. One morning I woke up with my ears drenched. I didn't know what the problem was at first. I didn't think it was the Airpods Pro, specially since I was using them for a while without problems. my doctor prescribed antibiotics thinking I had an ear infection. I realized later that the Airpods Pro were the cause of it. When I stopped using them, my ear stopped draining. I tried them on an off to make sure that they were the cause. Now I know that they for sure are the cause.

This ^^

I tried doing the workarounds and trying different ear tips and all that. Stopped using them too late and have permanent damage in my left ear. It’s been months and it’ll never go away. At certain tones in the real world, my ear drum just rattles uncomfortabley.

don’t take chances people! Do you like having functional ears?

There are many other options for AirPods Pro ear tips out there, I've seen ones from ComplyFoam (which does supply many well-respected earphone makers with their own foam tips), and also SpinFit. These have different materials, so it shouldn't cause these allergic reactions.