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Allergic for Airpods Pro

Metzgermeister

Metzgermeister

macrumors member
Original poster
May 27, 2007
87
12
Probably not the first one to start about this. But recently I don't see threads covering this issue.

Last year (August) I got myself a nice pair of Airpods Pro which I really enjoyed without any problems until December. I just them for during holidays quit a lot and I started noticing severe itching inside the ear ways on both sides, but one more than the other. I tried to scratch but it didn't helped, other then it started hurting.

I stopped using the Airpods and it got better. I tried again the airpods and again after a bit of time it started itching and I had like water (clear, no color) coming out of my ear, like you went swimming. When dry it left a crusty leftover, difficult to remove.

I searched many places and tried many things, every time with same result. the above mentioned reaction after two hours use. Also important is that I only have this reaction with the Airpods, other in-ear headphones from other brands never gave a reaction. I tried the following:

- Replaced tips with Comply Foam tips
- Replaced tips with third party silicon/plastic tips
- With sunlight, desklight, UV-B and UV-C light trying to dry the resins in the plastic (really, it was mentioned in other Forums that this was the problem.
- Use the Airpods without tips
- Considering a reaction to the used plastic casing of the pods I also wrapped the Airpods in Kling film and used them like that to avoid contact with the white plastic.

It doesn't matter what I do, I get the same reaction. What can this be? Has anybody any other ideas or experiences? I even start believing I am sensitive to the signals (bluetooth) of the airpods, what else can it be?
 
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What you used to clean them and clean plugs you have in ear? Looks like an infection from poor OR TOO MUCH hygiene (not judging you, had something like that when used one of the antibacterial tissues).

I hope you are well and don’t clean ears too much (wax is here for a reason- the best way to protect ear and the rest of body).
 
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Yup happens to me with my AirPods Pro and my older power beats pro I found the comply tips help somewhat but still get the itches just not as bad with the silicone
 
Are you sure you're not just getting water/sweat trapped in your ears from them being sealed off and then they get itchy? This happens with my non-pros.
 
I'm with you. I wore my Airpod pros for months without issues. But then all of a sudden I started having the exact same issues as you and tried all the same remedies. Sad to say, I stopped wearing mine and it pains me to this day that I can no longer wear them. No solutions, but here for solidarity.
 
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It sounds like an allergic reaction where your body is likely responding with hives (itch blister-like patches) in your ears. The clear fluid that gets crusty is a serum that pools under the skin as part of the immune response. It's the same stuff that is under your skin if you get poison ivy that leaches out and gets crusty over the rash.

I don't think there is much you can do. It seems that your body has decided that it either doesn't like a material you are putting in your ear.

While I doubt it will work for such a strong reaction, you could try an over the counter allergy medication that many take for seasonal allergies, like Zyrtec. It may suppress your histamine response enough to wear your AirPods, or it may not. Keep in mind that if you start an allergy regimen and keep it going for longer than a couple weeks, it is best to speak to your doctor and make sure the medication is suitable for you. Also know that your body may get used to the allergy med and the suppressed reaction may eventually return.

Do not take this as professional medical advice. I am not an M.D., but a person who has dealt with some allergies myself over the years. It is something I would consider if I couldn't live without my AirPods (which I definitely could in your case).

All that said, if it irritates your body and you can live without it, it's easiest and best to avoid the trigger, which was the advice of your physician.
 
I bought a set of Comply earphone tips a few days ago. Whoever mentioned Comply, THANK YOU! Before now, they'd never stay in my ear (I've hairy ears and trimming didn't help). I was almost ready to sell my Air Pods for a set of Beats (I heard they tend to stay put).
 
Metzgermeister said:
It doesn't matter what I do, I get the same reaction. What can this be? Has anybody any other ideas or experiences? I even start believing I am sensitive to the signals (bluetooth) of the airpods, what else can it be?
Click to expand...

It's whatever the tips are made out of. it happens with most in ear headphones that have tips like that. When I got a set of high end Etymotic headphones years ago I couldn't wear them at all because the tips would drive me crazy - and they went a lot further in than the Airpods do. The solution is to get foam tips, like the comply tips that someone recommended. They fit better, they seal better, and they feel great. Downside is that foam tips wear out over time and need to be replaced regularly due to the ear wax that they soak up like a sponge.
 
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