Drainage and itching when using AirPods Pro

My issue was with the airpod max.

While I thought it could have involved an ear infection, it appears mine was an allergic reaction to the adhesive used to glue the synthetic material to the foam.

Was able to get the swelling down and back to normal within two weeks. I bought them at MicroCenter, an Apple retailer, didn't have any issues... of course two days later Apple support wanted me to return the pair back to Apple... too late. ;-)

I ended up getting a different brand which had natural leather ear cups. So far, no issues. I would consider buying a pair of Airpod maxes if they had a natural leather air cup available. The fake pleather on the beats just didn't hold up over time.

Of course there's another issue.. condensation within the cups w prolonged usage. Something else to watch out for.

My theory is that it is not the tips (for me at least). I think I am getting an allergic reaction from something further out on the AirBuds Pros than the tips. This was not obvious, which is why I tried Comply tips and another brand of tips. A big clue: my Etymotics earbuds with silicone tips do not cause this reaction. Now, I think it is something in the plastic further up the AirBuds from the tip.

Over-the-counter hydrocortisone lotion helps tame the reaction, but I would have to apply it every time I wore the AirPod Pros.

I've been having this same problem as well, but only after getting the first ones replaced. I had the original versions that came out for a while with no issue. The first ones lost their clear coat after about two weeks and eventually had a matte finish. I returned them during the recall and have been using the replacement ones for about six months now. The clear coat is still intact on this set after five months, but I get severe itching and liquid out after about an hour of use. I even went to the doctor two weeks ago for a severe outer ear infection. I now believe it's the chemicals in the clear coat causing the allergic reaction (smells like nail polish). I think I'll sell these and get the new Sonys.

I've been screwing around with this issue for over 6 months and currently on my third pair of Airpod Pros. I hate to throw $250 down the drain but the itching and aching (with occasional clear drainage) of my ears just aren't worth it. I even bought the Comply foam tips but they fall apart after awhile. I've been diligent about cleaning my Airpod Pros daily (especially after the gym) and also cleaning the replacement foam tips. Nothing has helped at this point and having to struggle with the ears just isn't worth it.

I'm also experiencing the same allergic reaction from the airpods pro. I tried other tips as well. first was cloudfoam tips then xelastic tips, same result. probably it was the head part of the airpods pro causing the allergic reaction for me. hope they will use new materials for the airpods pro 2 but I'll be sticking with my regular airpods for now.

Please share how the new earbuds worked out. I have had this problem since I bought them. I haven’t stopped using them completely but it may be I have to. They were so expensive and I’m very upset. I use them and then my ears heal in a few days I try them again and it’s the same.

Never improved for me and I’ve been desperately trying for the past 7 months to make these work so I don’t waste $250. My ears are getting worse and I worry about permanent damage if I keep this up. Not worth losing my hearing. I spoke to Apple again and they said some users experience allergies to the nickel in the mesh of the AirPod pros. They also cannot let users exchange for other products. Mine are going into the trash.

Same here. As the problem went on even after switching the tips with other brands, I had to finally give up using the Airpods Pro. The nickel in the mesh theory is a good one, since the large black stripe on the top of the airpods is in direct contact with the skin.

Ugh- sorry you are going through this. It’s the worst. If your ears don’t get better go see a doctor. I ended up with a double ear infection and had to get prescription antibiotic drops. I still attempted to wear the AirPod pros after my ears were healed because I didn’t want to waste them. I continued to get flareups. For small flareups prescription hydrocortisone cream helps but that’s not the answer. Apple sent me their disclaimer that states the irritants in their product so I guess that’s their fail safe. Sucks.

I stopped using them all together and just bought the beats studio buds that were released. It’s been two weeks and so far, no issues!

I bought my AirPod pro when they were first released. Aside from a few minor issues with individual pods which Apple corrected through Apple care promptly they were great. However, this spring of 2021 they would not connect to any of my devices such as Apple watch 6, iPad Air, iPhone 12pro max. I was instructed to send them in for service. I did so and was sent a while new set. This was bittersweet as my wife had the original set custom ordered with a monogram. This new set has been causing issues congruent to dermatitis. My ear canals peel and itch and I get fluid draining from the lesions. If I stop using then and apply hydrocortisone the symptoms subside. The first time I use them again my ears start to set flake and get nasty. I’ll be contacting Apple support after reading this thread and how others have experienced the same symptoms.

I’m really shocked to see so many others with the same story. No issues with the for a long period of time however, after having them replaced for service the new pair causes a rash. Sounds off to me. I never had any issues whatsoever until this last pair. Smh

Now that I think of it I don’t think I had issues with my original pair but then again I only had them for a month. After it crapped out and they sent me pair #2 I started having issues with my ears. They convinced me pair #3 was brand new but I experienced the same irritations. No idea what the case it but annoying for sure. I can’t wear them anymore.

Thank you. I have been applying cortisone cream every few hours since Friday and they are starting to clear up and the swelling has gone down. You would think Apple would respond to take care of all of these serious cases.

Yeah - you would totally think that Apple would do something with all of us having the same issues?? Anyway - the only way I could still use the Airpod Pro's without having ear issues was by purchasing these two items. They have helped stop the issues and allow me to use the Airpods. Here's the links -

Proof Labs Airpod Pro Ear Hook Covers https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0844WPDY5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Comply foam earbud tips - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0844WPDY5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hope this helps others.

Thanks Keithski. The Proof Labs hooks seem to be working for me as well. Didn’t use my airpods for a year due to allergic reactions but I tried them again with the ear hooks and haven’t had any allergic reactions so far. As some people mentioned, it’s probably not the silicone that’s causing the problem but likely the black mesh. Whatever it is, seems like the ear hooks are shielding my ears from it. The silicone tips are still touching my ears but no issues so far after 2 days of using them. I also did a test by removing the silicone tip and putting it in my ear for 15 min and didn’t have a reaction. But I remember using the AirPods Pro before with the silicone tips removed and still had a reaction.