skin irratations and itchy ears from powerbeats pro wireless

Meldeleon, I haven't heard that Apple is doing anything about this other than giving refunds if people are willing to go through the process of getting in touch with Apple Support, answering a bunch of questions, sending in photos of their ears etc. as reported in all the posts above. Have you been in contact with Apple Support yet?

I have been dealing with Apple support since March. After answering several questions, they had me send the headphones back and are issuing me a refund. They received my headphones back 5/22/2020 and I spoke to my Apple clerk on 6/04/2020 and she said they were processing my reimbursement check.

Same here. Rash and itching behind ears and drainage from ears. It comes and goes. Doctor says that infections don’t do that. It has to be a reaction to something that I’m doing. Asked me to monitor “my habits”. I’ve pretty much isolated the problem to these headphones. Stopped using them and symptoms are going away

I have had the same experience. I started wearing mine more when I started working from home due to COVID19. First, I noticed my inner ear getting very itchy. I eventually removed the noise cancelling piece, but I ended up with an inner ear infection and was prescribed a host of antibiotics. Then about two weeks ago I noticed the back of my ear was very itchy and eventually formed a scab. The only thing I could attribute it to was my Powerbeats Pro as nothing else had changed. It eventually cleared up with Neosporin. I haven’t used them in over a week so I figured I would try them again this morning and sure enough my ear is itching again. So, looks like I must be allergic to something in these. Apple, will you do something to address this?

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They are almost fully healed (I slacked using the drops this weekend). When I used my earbuds this morning, they were getting itchy again so I will let you know in a week when I use fully healed. The funny thing is that they did not start bothering me until the warmer months while using more extensively for calls. I think the humidity is a big part, but I don't have evidence or data to support that. They are hydrocortisone drops that, within a few days cleared it up 85-90%?

The official diagnosis from the doc was eczema but now that I stumbled upon this, I am questioning that. Do I think it will permanently solve? No. Just a remedy for when it is really bad.

They know it's an issue. They're choosing to not do anything about it. I've sent them this thread and one from Reddit when I started this entire process. I've had older in ear beats and they never caused an irritation. I have the over the ear ones no irritations. Just the PBP, there's something in the material that's causing the irritations. And they have them in pastels now, like that's going to solve the issue. Ive used the ones that came with my phone (Samsung) no issues with those.

Well the 3rd party (which was through Google shopping) told me I'd have to contact the manufacturer, which is Apple. Soooo I'm back on hold with Apple to see what they say about that. Both times today that I was talking to someone from Apple they said it's a safety issue, and both times they seemed pretty understanding and willing to give me a refund (despite the resulting runaround). At this point I don't even mind if they just give me credit or something, but we shall see.

I bought the Powerbeats for running and working out. Right after I bought them I took them on a trip. I wore them during a trail run and afterwards my ear canals itches badly. Chalked it up to a flight. Once my ears cleared I wore them again on a trail run and the same issue.. Ears draining clear liquid and scabbing. I chalked that up to not waiting long enough. Once my ears cleared up I wore them on an hour walk. Next day the problem was back. I ordered a replacement set of memory foam ear buds to see if it’s the silicone tips.. My ears are still healing. I spent a lot of money on these and I will take them back to apple if it happens again.

When my same experience occurred, it took approximately 2 weeks for all symptoms to resolve. I wore them again for approximately 45min while washing my vehicle. Unfortunately, this problem returned and appeared to be worse than the initial experience inner ear itched very bad, draining and skin was inflamed. It’s now getting better each day. I will not be using these Power Beats again. Great sound but not worth potentially long term ear damage.

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities.

We want to make sure you reach the right team for help with your Powerbeats Pro Wireless. We recommend that you contact Apple Support directly. Depending on your region, you may be able to reach them here: Get Support

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities.

We want to make sure you reach the right team for help with your Powerbeats Pro. We recommend that you contact Apple Support directly. Depending on your region, you may be able to reach them here: Get Support

I have had the same problem. Pus inside and and outside both ears. Liquid dripping all over the back of my ears too… Crusty ears inside it out… Rash continual itching. Both sides of my face where my ears are have dark shapes virtually identical to where the BEATS sit behind and over my ears. I didn’t believe that the beats were causing it and my doctor didn’t even consider it… I am also an antibiotics to try to clear it up. Needless to say, I am no longer wearing the Powerbeats pro. And also I agree with the previous comments on this post I haven’t had any other problems with any wireless air buds before.

This descriptions mirrors my recent experience very closely. I have clear fluid drainage from both ears. More from the right. And as shown in some of the photos, this becomes "crusty" overnight. I've had PBP since February, and started heavier use "in the time of Covid". I stopped using PBP about 10 days ago. The itching and drainage stopped. Yesterday, I used them for about 40 minutes on a Zoom call. Both drainage and itching were present by the end of the call. The drainage from my right ear became "crusty" overnight. A Google search turned up this post. It looks like Apple is well aware of the problem. As a long time Apple customer (my first product was an Apple Lisa in the early 80's) I hope they will find a fix. In the meantime, maybe some of the tips that came with other vendors' products [I have tried several] may fit, work, and not cause irritation like this. I'll post again here if I find something. And, will probably use AirPods in the meantime.

Apple are aware of this and include it in their documentation referring to the allergic like symptoms

but the question is why if knowing this information do they put MANY people at risk

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