Allergic to AirPod Pro eartips

I have the same problem. It came to the point that My ear became itchy and had a fluid discharge. I have been using various IEMs for years and never had a problem like . At first I thought it was the metal thing that contacts the charger. Because I’m allergic to zinc. Then I found this thread. Long story short I mod the large stock eartips and put my RHA eartips. What I did is I cut down the large stock eartips then I insert the Rha eartips like in the pictures. Man my long time problem has gone. Now I love my airpods pro again.

Exact same problem here. Bought them last december and I tried everything including 2 different ear tips (1 pair of silicone and another of molding foam). Problem remains. Itching, sore ear canals, draining ears, eritema, dry and pealing ear skin, also hearache latelly.

After several complaints (also sent pics of my sore ear canals as you can see below), they told me I need to get a medical report attesting I have an allergy to airpods (what kind of exams should you do to get that report?).

Also in a repair centre here in Portugal, the airpods were exchanged for a new ones first, but the simptoms remained, then again they changed both the airpods and the charging case, but the problem persists.

Looks like I'm not alone with this problem (far from that) and Apple don´t do anything?

I love Apple products but with that kind of Irresponsibility, I guess I will start skipping their products also.

Thought this might help.. Got this from Amazon and still waiting for the rest of the skin to be shipped. Just this to cover the actual pod. :( For now I just want to keep them and hoping that the cover-ups can help. :(

So I bought the silicon body cover, new eartips and covered the rest with plastic film. Covered also the inner case with plastic film. Now I'll wait to heal and try it again.

Also, I was using a silicon case cover to protect it (photo). Maybe it could be releasing some kind of allergen to the APPs? Can someone confirm whether was using something like those? I know it seems paranoid, I just trying to look deeper into it.

Unfortunately I though I was the only one facing this issue, I have been using the AirPods for a year then upgraded to AirPods Pro immediately started to irritate after a use for 3 hours while traveling, I though it was something with hygiene issues then I cleaned and sensitized them but unfortunately the problem was there. It was to bad that when I woke up in the morning my ears were bleeding and some discharge appeared on my pillow. APPLE Team please verify the issue of material used or components of the units. Now I have exchanged the silicone tips and it’s on trial. Let’s hope it solves the problem.

thanks

Abdulaziz

I had the same problem that continues for over a month, i don’t want to go to the doctor because of covid19 so I bought ear oil from amazon to relieved the itchiness and drainage and it helps a lot and I changed the silicone tip with a memory foam that I bought from amazon too and the itchiness and drainage from my ear stops. Thinking I almost gave away my EarPods but it’s too expensive so I just tried to made some changes and it works. and the allergy stops.

I have Severe itching and draining from my both ear after and while using mine. I have been on many course of antibiotics and ear drops since I bought my AirPods Pro. I am convince it’s the AirPods Pro. I never had ear issues and infections in my life prior to these! Ever. I am 42 years old. I will need answers from Apple. At this point I seem to have a chronic problem.

I too got AirPods Max in December 2020 hoping it would give me the opportunity to use APP functionality (Spatial Audio WOW!!) however, after much testing with them, the outside of my ears had started to go red and swell - the top and ear lobe area. This was probably after 20-30 mins use.

I had a daily usage log and also if it was using ANC/Transparency or no mode at all. I concluded that the modes didn't make any difference. It was purely the contact with my skin and ears. In the end, I returned the Max's back to Apple.

The ONLY headphones I've tried that are my saviour have been the Bose QC35's, which are my go to war horse, however lack the Apple integration I so desperately missed from the APP's.

I attach a picture of the inside of the ear cups from the AirPods Max and the Bose QC35's. As you can see the Bose's are much more oval and hence I assume do not touch my ears, whereas the Max's are more of a rounded rectangle and a smaller space for ears without the fabric touching my ears.

It looks like the APP's have given me hyper sensitive ears and skin on them, but I also find it stand that during winter months I constantly wear a beanie hat tight on my head and ears, and I get no reaction to those!

I am so longing to have something which gels better with Apple devices.. however I highly doubt the rumoured updates to the AirPods Pro etc.. will provide any better materials. I have thought about getting a bunch of different in ear.. ie. Jabra 85t, Sony WFXM3's etc... however, I just cannot cope if any end up giving me the same problems the APP's did so am very reluctant to try them at the moment.

Hope this experience helps others.

I tried some third party tips, foam silicones etc without success. I thought maybe it’s the plastic material so I tried putting a masking tape without covering the sensors, it help a little but still itching but not the same without. And then I ordered a silicone cover for the airpods which advertised as non slip. It arrived 2 days ago. In my observation the product seems solved my issue. I even put the original tips now without any problem.

yes. Me too having the same problem.. Any solution for this ??

I’ve chased a solution to this since APPro release date and had some really accute symptoms. 1 week in on Sedna Earfit Xelastic tips and no problems. Your milage may vary, but definitely give them a try before bailing out on the Pros.

I’m having similar issues. My ear always feels likes there is liquid and feels itchy every time I wear them.

Published in the International Journal of Dermatology:

Contact allergy to acrylates in Apple AirPods Pro® headphones: A case series

What do you use instead of AirPods?

I agree it is the silicone tips. I have the old pods no tops no problems. But they don’t fit nearly as well as these do. I gave Bose, etc these were the first too fit great. I’m sure 3rd party will be out shortly.