Drainage and itching when using AirPods Pro

1. So glad I found this discussion. I’ve been trying to figure out what is going on with my ears. I have itching, crusting, flaking, pain and drainage. I thought I had some type of dermatitis I picked up and have been treating the inside of my ears for a few months. It started after I had the AirPods Pro a month or so and I thought I had touched something then transferred it to the AirPods Pro then to my ears. I completely cleaned them but my ears hurt too much when I wore them I had to stop wearing them to let my ears heal, only they didn’t heal completely so I started using my old AirPods while they did and they finally had stopped draining and were only slightly crusting but didn’t get worse. Today I had to be on a Zoom meeting at work and decided to use my AirPods Pro again for the noise canceling. I only wore them for 45 minutes and within 30 minutes after taking them out, my ears started to drain, itch and swell. Within an hour my ears were almost swollen shut and my hearing sounded like I still had cotton in my ears. It became really painful. My first thought was that I hadn’t been able to clean them well enough to remove whatever I was getting an allergic reaction to so I cleaned my ears with peroxide and applied cortisone cream. They continued to swell really bad so I took a Benadryl and finally after 2 hours the swelling is starting to go down but they are still swollen and draining. While I’m extremely upset the AirPods Pro are what has caused my ear problems and the fact that Apple has been made aware of it and chosen to ignore everyone that has posted here at least I now know the cause and won’t be using them again and will make sure everyone I know hears about it. Hopefully my ears will heal completely soon.

Kelly I had the exact same symptoms. Did switching the tips out help? I really like the AirPod Pros - but can’t wear them because of the reaction my ears have to them. Hoping to find a solution - like different tips. Thanks for the help!

I wish I had seen your post before buying them.

Got a pair this past Sat. Started having issues Mon, thinking it could be from prolonged wearing.

Woke up middle of the night w lots of pain w ear and ear canal swollen. (Both ears.)

Not good.

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.

I did order these tips on Amazon and have been using them regularly for the past month with no more issues. It seems to have helped my ears - hope it will help other that are having the same issues -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088KPNKN2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This was also my situation. The first set I bought was OK - I had no allergies at all during many months wearing them. Then, after sending the Airpods for service, Apple switched then for a new set and the problems with itching/drainage/pain started. I believe Apple should investigate a change in production that could have made this happen.

The same thing happened to me. It started with itching, scabbing, shedding then the clear oozy drainage started. Used neosporin for a bit and it didn’t help. I finally went to doc and was prescribed antibiotics drops for a double ear infection. I switched over to my Bose headphones for a few weeks til my ears healed. Went back to AirPod pros for a week and the itching and scabbing came back. I read a few different threads and it looks like some people are allergic to the silicone tips on the AirPod pros. I ordered a pair of comply foam ones from Amazon and will see how I do with them after I wait for my ears to heal (again, ugh).

Holy cow same thing for me. exactly as described. weird thing is i have no known allergies. i changed the tips to foam, problem still exists. the even weirder thing is that i have been using them for a whole year, i mean a lot with no issues, then all of a sudden it started and got real bad. It makes me think the other individual who mentioned about a coating that wears off might be it. Also would explain why used pods could also start it. I have the same ones but it didnt start for about a year! now i cant wear them at all.

Sadly- I’m on my third (yes, THIRD) pair of AirPod Pros, second set of Comply foam tips (tried different sizes in case it made a difference) and after 6 months, I’m ready to give up. My ears itch, hurt, flake, ooze and I’m putting antibiotic drops in every so often to keep the symptoms from getting worse. Sadly I’m starting to get the sense I’m just allergic the nickel in the Airpod Pros themselves. I’ve never had this issue before with regular Airpods. If anyone else has any ideas please let me know. I hate that I just burned $250 on these. For everyone else, here’s a great article on the allergies people are experiencing: https://appletoolbox.com/allergic-airpods-pro/amp/

Hello . This is exactly what is happening to me . What we can do ? I just used twice and I can’t stand the itching and sore . I’m using this droop but is $250 products so how Apple can reward customer that can proff this is what the AirPod is causing ? I used other (cheap one ) and never happened. I’m cleaning every time I tried to used and nothing help . Definitely Something in the AirPod cause allergy. Plus the battery charger is not longer that should be .

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Just got earpod pro for Xmas and I’m very disappointed. The first few times I wore them they were perfect but then started giving me discomfort. Also noise cancellation isn’t working as good. There’s seems to be a seam going around the pods that sticks up and irritates the heck out of my ears! The friction has left a cut on my right ear. Are they defective? Is there any recall or is it just me having issues with this? I’m beyond bummed out about this ☹️

I'm sorry to hear that this is happening to you. This is the information that Apple support sent me. They would not let me exchange for a different product, only like for like. I was on my third pair of AirPod pros and 7 months in by the time I gave up.

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

FYI I bought foam tips and even air pod covers and they didn't help. I wouldn't waste the money.