Allergic to AirPod Pro eartips

Wow this was swift response.

I only tested the official Apple replacement Eartips as I looked at all the Amazon reviews of the linked/mentioned third-party tipps and the review are actually quite bad. Many people say they smell/itch. Which means they probably contain worse or more chemicals.

I just gave the Apple original Eartips a try because they where cheap and swift in delivery and worst-case I could have just returned them. I used them now without issues for 2-3 weeks, this includes daily wear for sadly too many Zoom calls of 6-8 hours with breaks and also intensive sweaty workouts. So far I only washed them once in between with some warm water. I have the original/stock ones still for reference of course and the crazy thing is, even when you wash them with hot water and soap as told by the Apple support they still smell like latex/condoms kind of. The new ones are absolutely neutral. I can only hope this applies to all badges but with the very nice return policy of Apple I can see no reason for anyone not to give it a shot? If it does not work, just return it for free.

Basic problem isolation... if removing (not replacing) the tips allows APP to be used without a skin reaction, this would show that the tips are the key factor, not the APP itself.

Why do many people still have issues with other tips? Maybe they use some of the same ingredients. Maybe their ears weren’t fully healed. Maybe the initial reaction triggers a new sensitivity that never existed before.

But from a purely troubleshooting process, replacing the original tips with an unknown substitute is only helpful if the condition clears (which several people have reported here).

However, if the problem persists, you can’t know whether it’s because the offending substance is also used in the replacements, or the skin is hyper-sensitive now, etc. It’s more productive to test without any tips attached, to know whether trying other tips will help you.

I have the same issue. I received my APP in mid-late December. I used them only a couple brief times that first week just to verify they functioned as I hadn’t had time to really mess with them. During the holiday break, I used them quite a bit and almost immediately developed itching in my ears. I thought it was odd, but thought maybe it’s just because I hadn’t worn earbuds for a while (since I wasn’t traveling most of the year due to COVID). So I continued wearing them. Then came the flaking skin, the drainage, the scabbing that you all described. I stopped using them and went to an ENT. Eardrums were inflamed, and she gave me two prescriptions - one for a steroid ear drop to help calm the inner ear inflammation and one for a steroid cream to help with the dry skin on the exterior. During this time, I also ordered two different replacement tips for APP to try, one “memory foam” based (Comply), the other a different, clear silicon(Azla Xelastec). I’ve worn various earbuds for many years, including IEMs, with no issues, so I didn’t think I had suddenly developed a silicon allergy. During the two weeks between my initial visit to ENT and follow-up, I didn’t wear the APP at all the first week, as I was concerned about further damaging my inner ear. After it felt like that part of the problem had cleared up, and the external issues were subsiding, I tried using the APP sparingly with the different tips. The inner ear issues didn’t return, but outer ear issues were aggravated, including a small splotch on my cheek directly in front of my earlobe where the body of the APP touches. So again, it’s everywhere the body touched that was further aggravated and not the inner ear where the tip touches. I really hated the foam ear tips so stayed with the alternate clear silicon-based ones (which I don’t really like either, but they are the lesser of two evils and I’m scared to attempt the Apple ones again). I am now trying to use some APP covers that I bought (DamonLight), which are intended to be cosmetic but I’m attempting to use for medical purposes, to shield my skin from the toxic chemicals that Apple decided to use in this production run of these products. I have been an Apple guy for decades. My entire house is filled with Apple products (which is the entire reason I want to use APP). I love the sound of the APP. I want to love them. This lack of quality control and/or testing on Apple’s part is very unusual in my experience with them. It is frustrating and concerning that there has been no public statement or response to our concerns. These are clearly not isolated concerns - a great many people are experiencing these issues.

My question to you all is - has anyone exchanged their APP and received a replacement recently that does NOT cause the same issues? I’m wondering if Apple actually has fixed the problem, just hasn’t made it public for fear of lawsuits, etc. Because, again, I love the product and want to be able to use them without fear of further complications and doctor visits or long-term consequences. So I’d be willing to try to exchange them for a replacement manufactured either a) under a different run, or preferably b) at a different plant.

I really can’t say how it is in Germany, but in America it would also probably cost a quite a bit to get a specific allergy test for the Airpod Pros.

My doctor’s take was, “I mean...you clearly are having a reaction to the airpods, and you’re not experiencing it elsewhere, so what would the point of getting an allergy test be? You know you’re allergic to this one specific item, you can save yourself the money and easily just stop using it. If you start having other random ‘mystery allergies’ in your life where you can’t pinpoint the source, THEN you’d want to try a broader allergy test.”

Sure, it would be fun to know if it’s the silicone or the hard plastic that’s causing the allergy (based on how I’m starting to lightly react to the hard plastic of wired Apple headsets, I think it’s probably that for me), but my doc’s take wasn’t wrong. When I avoid Apple headphones, I don’t have awful reactions.

When it came to getting a refund, my Apple Support phone rep really just needed medical evidence that using the airpods had done “something” to me, not that I was specifically allergic to some component of them. This meant photo evidence, and any kind of doctor’s note that I had been prescribed a medicine and advised to not use the airpods.

It might be different in Germany, but I would try calling back for a different Apple Care phone rep and try to provide all the evidence possible from your doc.

It is really crucial to not use Apple chat support in cases like this. They are mostly useless on the first try. In the past year, due to the pandemic, Apple had had to beef up their remote support options, taking many retail employees and setting them up at home. Some of these employees are sales people that have never had to troubleshoot before, or are just generally brand new hires and are trying to help you with the limited instructions Apple gives them. This results in them template matching, interpreting your reported issue as something else, or honestly just making up things like “get an allergy test” and “we can’t help you” because they don’t feel like escalating the issue to their supervisors, or don’t want to create a ticket that could possibly stay open for literally MONTHS while you wait for your refund. Felt so bad for my advisor who called me every two weeks from November until late-January to tell me my check was “on the way, sorry it’s taking so long.”

Again, I really can’t say how it works it Germany, consumer law is different in every country.

Also: my brother, who was just gifted a set of APP’s, now seemingly has an ear infection that he can’t shake. He’s a diver and assumed that it was swimmer’s ear, got antibiotics and steroids and that whole thing, symptoms persist. I told him to cut back on APP use and see what happens. Waiting to hear back from him.

I contributed to this thread many weeks ago after my ears had cleared up through drops from the doctors and discovered that my ear issue may have been caused by the APP.

For months my ears have been clear and Ive been using Beats Studio 3 wireless headphones.

Two weeks ago I tried the APP again and within an air my ears were experiencing clear fluid runs. I phoned the doctors and was advised to stop using them. Within a week ears resolved themselves.

You would have thought by now apple would accept there are issues for some and just accept they need to be returned. As my ears have cleared up again Im not willing to cause issues again and go against my doctors advise. This means Im stuck with the APP as I cannot provide proof my ears suffered.

I purchased direct from the Apple store not through some third party but with stores closed at the moment I cant go in and raise concern but will be doing as soon as retail opens up.

I am having the same problem. Draining, itchy, flaky skin, ear infections. Same symptoms in both ears.

Several doctors visit with no improvement. ("Try olive oil, try cortisone, try keeping water out of your ears etc...")

Visited my dermatologist and a prescription for ic triamcinolone 0.1% cleared it up in about a week or so.

I didn't realize it was a reaction to the earpad pro's ear tips so after a few weeks to let the symptoms completely clear up, I went back to my AirPods. After just a few hours of use the itching is back.

Worst thing about it is that I love the AirPods! Great sound!

****.

My solution was to get the Aeropex Aftershokx Bone Conduction headphones. These have great sound quality, sit outside your ears (so no internal irritation), are wireless and so lightweight I forget I’m wearing them. Most people can’t tell I’m wearing them because they hide under my hair. Obviously it’s not the same product and won’t provide noise canceling. It is a very useful wireless headset and works well with an iPhone.

The AirPod Pros have a weird chemical odor. I tried to wash the silicone tips with alcohol swabs but the strong chemical odor persists.

I believe that the chemical used to make either the tips or the hard plastic or the internal components as well as the glues/adhesives are what is causing the allergic reaction. Since it is something volatile meaning released in the air, the chemical can cause the reaction in the surrounding ear tissue without having to necessarily be in direct contact with the skin.

My advice as a physician is to stop using the AirPods. One can try to sooth the affected areas with something cool or else a mild over the counter topical cortisone creme for a day or two.

Edwin A. wrote:

I am having ear drainage when using my new AirPods pro.has anyone else experienced this problem?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

[Personal Information Edited by Moderator]

I had this problem too , I thought was dry skin, but after I try to change the AirPod Pro, both ears I was having inside the ear , dry skin pealing out and a rash , with like infection , I have to stop to use and at the Amazon I found ear tips compatible with a memory foam , now working perfect and no rash and allergy anymore.

Apple disclosed that they were made of silicon. I'd recommend that if you are allergic to silicon, you might be better off with the non-pro AirPods as they do not need the silicon tips.

On a second thought, it may be possible for you to find a third party plastic tip if you are insistent on using the pro.

Well heres what Apple stated:

From: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211158

AirPods, AirPods Pro, Earpods, and Beats earphones: plastic housing and (if applicable) silicone ear tip, stainless steel acoustic mesh, thermoplastic elastomer cable, and thermoplastic elastomer earhook.

Nickel. The stainless steel acoustic mesh of AirPods, AirPods Pro, and EarPods each contain some nickel. However, they all fall below the strict nickel restrictions set by European REACH regulation. Therefore, while nickel exposure is unlikely to be a problem, you should be aware of the possibility in case you're susceptible to nickel-related reactions.

Acrylates. AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, EarPods, and Beats headphone and earphone products contain trace amounts of acrylates and methacrylates from adhesives. Acrylates and methacrylates are found in many consumer products that come in contact with the skin, such as adhesive bandages. Some people may be sensitive to them, or may develop sensitivities over time.

Like I said, if you are experiencing a reaction to silicone, try an ear tip of a different material. You can complain to me about how other silicone tips won't cause reactions but that wont magically stop your allergies. Just take action and switch out your ear tips.

Also,

foxtail_77 said:

It is not the silicon. Many (most?) of us have used other silicon earbuds for years without any problems, until the APPs.

Well most of us that have used other silicon earbuds are also not having any problems with the APPs. Allergies are unique to different people.

Yes. Ear drainage. I stopped using the Apple tips after outer ear canal felt like sweat caused abrasions and started scabbing. I scratched at it and it got worse. Wore them again and next morning had crusts crumbs and dry skin. Then drainage. So bloody strange.

I found this thread and stopped using them. I ordered foam tips for these on Amazon. Work beautifully. You can squeeze and compress them, insert them as far as possible and let foam expand. Created very nice fit with excellent bass response. No crust. But I had significant residual drainage in one ear. Never had this before in my life. I am meticulous about keeping clean ears, but this is just so bizarre.

when it first started, I also got ear aches from possibly scraping area with my fingernails.

Apple absolutely HAVE TO fix this as someone might not make the connection and attribute this problem to the AirPods. With continued use it could progress to serious ear infection and permanent hearing loss!!!!! Apple…. RESOLVE this for safety’s sake!!!

Here are the replacement buds O bought that resolve everything. Highly recommended:

Foam Masters Memory Foam Ear Tips for AirPods Pro | Comfortable | Secure | Better Noise Cancellation | Version 3.0 Replacement Buds (Medium - 3 Pairs, White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FCD2CXZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_T0V535X2FE6P2F3NRHTW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I, too, have experienced the same dermatitis reaction reported by others. Itching, flaking, crusting and discharge begins almost immediately after wearing AirPods Pro even for just a few.minutes. Takes about 1 week to resolve.

Foam tips are not a solution for me, because they are unhygienic, cannot be properly sanitized, and ultimately wear out. Generally foam ear plugs are intended to be single use items, and I would think same should be true of foam tips.

My resolution was to use Spinfit AirPod pro replacement tips. To my knowledge, these are currently the only silicone replacement tips on the market. These tips are made of medical-grade silicone, which seems to be a different material from Apple's stock tips. Something is obviously different about the material, because with these tips, I am able to wear the AirPods Pro for long periods of time without any allergic reaction. Hope you have the same luck.

I have had sensitivity to earbuds my whole life. Apple is not the only brand that uses bunk silicone but they should know better. I have found that the memory foam AirPods Pro tips from Comply sit easy in my ears and cause no allergic reactions. When you go to install them it feels weird to rip the old tips off they feel like they are going to break but just pop them off and I recommend wiping the whole set down with rubbing alcohol to remove any silicone residue before applying the Comply tip to your cleaned AirPods.

After letting my ears recover from the Beats Studio Buds I decided to (last chance!) replace the silicon ear tips with an old set from my wired Sennheiser headphones. I’ve worn them now for 2 days and have had no irritation at all. I’ve ordered a set of Comply TrueGrip Pro TW 200-C tips to fit to the Studio Beats Buds as these will fit better and hopefully improve the sound quality

From my experience I can only conclude that the plastic used in the manufacturing of Apple headphones (APP and AP3) causes me irritation (and maybe the tech for ANC and Spatial Audio because Apple wired headphones don’t irritate me) as well as the silicon used in APP and the Beats Studio Buds tips. I tried the Comply replacement tips for the APP but still got irritation (and I use Comply on some other wired headphones so I know it’s not the tips that irritated me)

Im a bit gutted as the AP3 are great sounding headphones and the Beats Studio Buds lack the tech and integration of the Apple headphones but this will have to do 🤷🏻‍♂️