Allergic to AirPod Pro eartips

I, too, experienced fluid drainage and inflammation/redness in my ear canal. I switched from an android phone to apple by request of my family. I loved my Samsung earbuds and was hoping the Apple AirPods Pro would be as comfortable and have the same sound quality. I really wanted to like them but I must be allergic to the silicone tip. I began to notice fluid drainage from my ears….more noticeably on the side I chose to keep in for phone calls. I developed the most painful ear infection that was diagnosed as swimmers ear….yet I don’t swim. I thought maybe it was allergies or water getting in my ear from daily showering that might have been the cause but I finally realized that every time I tried to use the new Apple pods I immediately experienced irritation. 😢

Copying an pasting from Reddit:

"I cured my AirPods 3 using a regular desk lamp for a couple of hours. Remember that orthodontist and dentists cure acrylates using a very strong light for few seconds. Your nail curing lights would do the trick, similar to the dentist’s toy. But don’t forget to wipe them down afterwards. Before discovering this trick my ears would go hot and itchy if I used my AirPods for 20 minutes. I had the same reaction a year ago when I first got AirPods Pro before returning them. I thought the Gen 3 would be better option, as I thought the problem was due to silicone tips. But when I got the same reaction with AP3, I dug deeper in the issue until I discovered the acrylates problem. The acrylate used in AirPods is methacrylate, I’m not sure if that would be as severe allergenic to you as cyanoacrylate, but apparently not, as you used the AirPods Pro already without needing to get steroid injection."

Look at the last 2-3 pages. This also happens with the AirPods 3. Some people have better experiences with the Beats Fit Pro. They work for me. But I also took a break for a few months to let my ear heal before. I think this is important before a new test.

SOLVED…maybe

I’m starting to gain confidence that I have solved this problem, for me at least.

One of the contributors to this discussion mentioned using strong light to cure the resin used in the AirPods Pro.

i put mine under a strong lamp for a couple of hours, turned them and gave them another couple of hours, then gave them a good clean

Not convinced by that, I bought a UV phone sanitizer (PhoneSoap), and put them in there for a few 10 min cycles.

Since then, I’ve worn them for a couple of 1 hour stints and about 3 hours this weekend with no reaction.

I have also swapped the tips with some foam ones, but I have used them previously with these tips and still got a bad reaction, so I don’t think it’s just those.

Previously and hour with them would leave me with draining ears and dermatitis that would take weeks to get back under control.

I’m not 100% sure yet, but I’d definitely recommend people trying strong light on them and seeing if it helps resolve the problem.

Scientific results are now also coming in confirming the issue with the AirPod Pros:

https://www.practiceupdate.com/content/contact-allergy-to-acrylates-in-apple-airpods-proR-headphones/126089/62

Time for Apple to do a recall.....

Yep, that’s the one, you’ll prob need to wash them thoroughly and apply hydrocortisone for a few days, that’s what I’ve had to do.

if you’ve only just got them, send them back mate as not everyone finds a solution..I think I have for me, but doesn’t work for everyone

I have a severe allergic reaction using the Airpods Pro ear tips. I haven't realized it until late it was due to Airpods tips, I have my skin inside the ears getting peeled off and some liquids oozing from my ears. When I stop using them for a few weeks, my ears are clean and don't feel itchy. Unfortunately, I cannot return them even after having an allergic reaction.

I've had the same issue. Thanks for sharing experiences with this- crazy itchy inner ears, liquid in ears, crust and scabbing in ears. Cutting out AirPods pro use definitely makes the problem go away. I've worn similar headphone tips in the past without this experience. Will try 3rd party and hope for the best- and only grudgingly pay for them as this seems to be a pretty widespread issue!

Return the Airport Pros.

There are no other tips available.

Time to make an appointment with an allergist.

Yeah I did the whole thing, sent pics, answered all of the questions, had to give them the diagnosis of contact dermatitis, returned it, got my money back and all of it

I used the replacement tips for over an hour today for a meeting, and no irritation. So my guess is that there is something in the original apple tips that is causing some of us to have the reaction.

I had sores and excessive peeling with the silicone. I tried the memory foam too....same issue.

I also purchase the silicone tips and had the same awful reaction. I ordered the recommended foam replacement tips and so far so good! Foam Masters Premium Memory Foam Airtips.

I bought Foam Masters for AirPod pros from amazon and they fixed the problem for me.