Vaping FAQs

am i allergic to vaping

by Merle Padberg DDS Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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If you’re having a bad reaction to vaping, you should now see that it isn’t necessarily an “allergy.” In fact, the odds are that it’s sensitivity rather than an allergy, but it is possible that you’re having an allergic reaction. Documented allergic reactions to PG tend to be from skin contact.

The most common culprit in vape allergic reactions is propylene glycol (PG), a commonly used base in vape juice. PG can cause allergic symptoms ranging from a scratchy throat to sinus problems, headaches, and even feelings of nausea.

Full Answer

Can you get a skin allergy from vaping?

Skin Problems and rashes – about one in every 5000 vapers are very sensitive to PG and have a true allergy. They will experience a range of problems with their skin which could range from severe itching to extreme dryness, hives and rashes.

Can vaping cause an allergic reaction?

Vaping 'could cause deadly reactions and chemical asthma' VAPING e-cigarettes could trigger deadly allergic reactions and "chemical" asthma, experts have warned. Most mild reactions can cause symptoms including sneezing, red and itchy eyes, wheezing and coughing and a rash or worsening of asthma and eczema symptoms.

Does vaping cause nasal congestion, sinusitis, or allergies?

This cough is most likely caused by the propylene glycol, which dehydrates the body. The cough seems to be an indicator of potential harm to the respiratory system overall. Nasal Problems and Allergies. The CDC indicates vaping tends to suppress the immune receptors within the nasal mucosa.

Can vaporizers be used for allergies?

So while both vaporizers and humidifiers add moisture to the air, they use different methods to do so. Humidifiers and vaporizers can both make the home more comfortable by relieving excess mucus, dry skin, chapped lips, and sore throats. They may be helpful for people with allergies.

When is something suspected as a respiratory allergen?

How long does it take for an allergic reaction to occur?

Why is it important to tell people about allergens in a product?

What is less common, asthma or allergic reactions?

What is the most common type of allergy?

Why are e-cigarettes so popular?

What is it called when you have a severe reaction?

See 4 more

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How do you know if you're allergic to vaping?

PG Allergy SymptomsDry Throat. 1 in 10 new vapers are slightly sensitive to propylene glycol and will suffer from upper respiratory tract irritation and/or drying. ... Sore Throat. ... Swollen Gums. ... Rashes and Skin Problems. ... Sinus Problems.

Is it possible to be allergic to Vapes?

The chemicals contained in vaping devices have also been shown to cause skin problems in some users, Ashack added. Some people are allergic to the propylene glycol that is used as the base for most e-liquids, Ashack said. Those folks could develop a rash from exposure.

How do I know if I'm allergic to propylene glycol?

This contact allergy may cause your skin to react when it is exposed to this substance although it may take several days for the symptoms to appear. Typical symptoms include redness, swelling, itching, and fluid-filled blisters.

What does a nicotine allergy look like?

It has been reported that in some cases nicotine can cause allergic reactions and signs may include: breathing difficulties, swelling of tongue or throat, hives.

Why does vaping make me itchy?

"Vaping contains lots of chemicals and nicotine which come in contact with our skin. This may cause the skin to become dry or flaky," she says. "It can also aggravate those with naturally dry skin by making it patchy and sometimes itchy.

How common is an allergy to propylene glycol?

At the present time, dermatologists estimate that PG allergy ranges from 0.8% to 3.5%, but it is much more likely to cause allergy when it's in aqueous solution. In that case, allergy rates range from 10% to 30%.

How do you avoid propylene glycol?

Summary To avoid propylene glycol in foods, read labels and look for it as an ingredient or as the additive number E1520. Use online sources to help identify hygiene products that contain it. For medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

How long does propylene glycol stay in your system?

about 48 hoursIf you eat products that contain propylene glycol, it may enter your bloodstream. Exposure of the general population to propylene glycol is likely since many foods, drugs, and cosmetics contain it. Propylene glycol breaks down in the body in about 48 hours.

What are side effects of vaping?

The most commonly-reported adverse effects were throat/mouth irritation, headache, cough, and nausea, which tended to dissipate with continued use....The most common side effects of vaping include:coughing.dry mouth and throat.shortness of breath.mouth and throat irritation.headaches.

Can vape cause skin problems?

We do know that vaping can dry out your skin, and cause significant dehydration. The dryer your skin becomes, the more likely it is to produce oil and sebum (which can clog our pores and potentially lead to acne breakouts).

Does vaping make allergies worse?

It's believed that vaping can increase inflammation & disable the immune function in your lungs. This means your body might not fight off allergens as effectively as it would otherwise. As of yet, there is no evidence to suggest that vaping will worsen or produce new allergy symptoms in a patient.

How do you know if you have a nickel allergy?

Nickel allergy signs and symptoms include: Rash or bumps on the skin. Itching, which may be severe. Redness or changes in skin color.

Can people really be allergic to second hand Vape?

I'd like to be able to answer your question but alas, I don't know. However, you have someone who you graciously let stay in your home rent free, telling you what you can and cannot do, or at the very least, making you feel uncomfortable with what you do in your own home.

Woman claims allergic reaction to vape caused painful rash, required ...

A woman in England is calling for a law requiring an allergy test for any first-time vapers after she claims her severe reaction to the e-cigarette landed her in the hospital.

How long does it take for vaping to go away?

The good news is these symptoms go away after a few weeks to a month, but the bad news is vaping-related side-effects are very much the same, so it’s hard to identify what is causing them. The best thing you can do is stop using e-cigarettes for a couple of days and see if your general condition improves. If it does, you should investigate ...

Why do I feel a buzz when I smoke?

It might be the nicotine if you have any. Since like cigarettes, there is a nicotine option, you may be feeling a buzz. This is common, as it is a side effect of nicotine, whether smoking or vaping. However, I recommend you see an allergist and test for propylene glycerol, because that is always a possibility. I hope this helps. Have a nice day

Can vaping cause gum bleed?

If you quit two months ago and stil are going through health issues, the vaping is NOT the problem. Some experience gum bleeeding, a direct result of years o fsmoking cigarettes. when quitting cigarettes and going over to vaping, the natural bad health of the gums, hidden by shrunken capillaries from smoking cigs, suddenly becomes pronounced and brushing teeth or nothing at all causes the gums to bleed. Getting your gums back to good health is all that is needed, but it takes time and fortitude.

What happens if you quit smoking?

These can include mouth ulcers, headaches, nausea, coughing, a skin eruption known as “quit zits”, sputum and phlegm, among others.

Is ecig vapor toxic?

It’s a toxic feeling. It almost feels like your entire bloodstream is infected. It’s serious and needs to be discussed. E cigs need to go through the FDA. There is just too many things that we don’t know about them. With multiple ways of ingesting and creating the vapor comes multiple ways of possibly infecting ourselves with things that aren’t good for us. With the amount of vapor being produced by some methods, you are inhaling 10 times the amount once thought safe. Liquid nicotine is poisonous.

Can you be allergic to e-cigarettes?

Another thing you have to understand is that you don’t have to be a new e-cigarette user to experience vaping-related health issues. Humans can become allergic to various things at any point during their lives, so even if you’ve been happily puffing on your e-cig for months, even years, you can start to experience all kinds of bizarre symptoms. The most common culprit seems to be propylene glycol (PG), the organic compound used as a base for the majority of e-liquids available on the market today. It holds the nicotine and flavor in suspension so your e-cigarette can produce those thick plumes of smoke-like vapor, but it’s also a known irritant and can cause a number of allergic reactions. In mild cases, they range from a sore throat to sinus problems, headaches, and even feelings of nausea, while in extreme cases PG can cause numbness of the face and tongue and itchy hives on the upper body. The best way to make sure propylene glycol is responsible for any of these symptoms, and at the same time solve the problem, is to switch to a 100% vegetable glycerin e-liquid, or at least one with a lower PG content.

Can you vape with artificial coloring?

Artificial colorings, artificial flavorings, artificial sweeteners and other additives are approved for human consumption, but they have not yet been tested for safety when inhaled, so they could cause irritation or allergic symptoms when vaped.

Can you get itchy after vaping?

If you develop, itching and irritation after vaping. Check to see if it is propylene glycol based or vegetable based. Even vegetable based could be a problem in some people since we know that people can be allergic to fruits such as mangos, strawberries, kiwi,etc as well as coconut, hazelnut and other plant extracts.

Is vaping better than smoking?

Vaping or the use of e-cigarettes has been touted as “safer” than smoking cigarettes. Yet, is this really true? With respect to skin allergies, hives and itching, there may be more to be studied. Many of the liquids used for vaping containe propylene glycol, a known skin allergen.

Can you vape with berries?

In addition, many contain fruit and spice flavorings such as strawberry, mint and berry extracts that are know irritants on the skin and possibly can also produce hives and a systemic reaction. If you already know that you are allergic to berries, then vaping an extract with berries could produce a systemic allergic response in your lungs ...

How to buy vape juice with PG allergy?

So, how do you buy vape juice if you have a PG allergy? The answer is that you simply need to look for 100-percent VG e-liquid. When you shop for e-liquid, the one thing you need to know is that there is a difference between “100-percent VG” and terms such as “high-VG” and “max-VG.” Those terms don’t have universally accepted definitions, and any e-liquid not labeled “100-percent VG” may contain a small amount of PG as a flavor carrier or thinning agent.

What Is Propylene Glycol, and Why Is It Used in Vape Juice?

Propylene glycol is a synthetic chemical with an enormous variety of uses. It has so many uses, in fact, that it’s synthesized from a several different sources .

Why use PG in vape juice?

All of the properties above help to make PG the perfect base for vape juice. Because PG is an emulsifier, you don’t need to shake a bottle of e-liquid each time you fill your tank. Since it’s a great flavor carrier, PG helps to ensure that you enjoy bold, tasty flavors when vaping. Finally, PG creates a nice, thick cloud of vapor when it’s heated. It provides everything that you could possibly want in an e-liquid base.

Is vaping PG a sensitivity?

With that being said, there’s a big difference in smoking a tobacco product that contains trace amounts of PG and inhaling an e-liquid that’s more than 50-percent PG. It is possible that the higher concentration of PG in vape juice will reveal a PG allergy or sensitivity that was previously unknown. If that’s the case, look for symptoms such as persistent coughing and itching, bumpiness or redness on the skin. If you experience any of those symptoms when vaping, you may want to ask your doctor to order an allergy test.

Can you vape with PG?

PG is an even more difficult chemical to avoid if you vape, because it is the most plentiful ingredient in most vape juice. If you have a PG allergy and are considering switching to vaping to help yourself quit smoking, though, you’ve got to find a way to make it work.

Is VG a good base for vaping?

As we’ve already explained, PG is an absolutely perfect base for vape juice. That’s bad news for the few people who suffer from PG allergies. The good news, though, is that an equally perfect alternative exists. That alternative is vegetable glycerin. VG is a natural byproduct from soapmaking, and it shares many of PG’s properties. It’s also an effective emulsifier and solvent, and it’s possible to make a great vape juice using only VG – and no PG at all – as a base. In fact, many people prefer high-PG e-liquids even if they don’t suffer from PG allergies, because VG is a thicker liquid that creates larger and more luxurious clouds when it’s vaporized.

Is it hard to vape if you are allergic to PG?

Thankfully, it isn’t too hard to vape if you are allergic or sensitive to PG. All that you need to do is buy the right vape juice. Before we discuss that in greater detail, though, let’s learn more about what PG is and how to tell if you might be allergic to it.

Why do people come to Kai's Virgin Vapor?

We get quite a few customers who come to Kai's Virgin Vapor because they are experiencing allergic reactions when vaping and are hoping that our minimalist philosophy which rejects the use of any unnecessary ingredients in our vape juice will help tame their symptoms.

What to do if VG is not agreeing with you?

Try switching to a different vendor in case there is something in the VG or nicotine used by that particular vendor that doesn't agree with you.

How to know if you're overdosed on nicotine?

Rule out Nicotine Overdose. For more severe symptoms, be certain to first assess if your symptoms are being caused by nicotine overdose. Symptoms of nicotine overdose can include nausea, headache, rapid heartbeat and a general feeling of being unwell.

Does vape juice have PG?

The vast majority of flavorings come in a base of PG , so even if the vape juice is VG based, it may still contain PG added with the flavorings. For people that are truly sensitive to PG, that can be more than enough to trigger allergic symptoms. Ask your vape juice vendor if their flavorings come in a base of PG to be certain.

Is Kai's virgin vape juice PG free?

At Kai's Virgin Vapor, all of our organic and natural e-liquid flavors are 100% PG-free, so we make it easy to avoid PG exposure. Many other vendors also offer VG-based e-liquids, however, always be certain they are truly PG-free. The vast majority of flavorings come in a base of PG, so even if the vape juice is VG based, ...

Why switch to a different flavor?

Try switching to a different flavor in case a particular compound in the flavoring is irritating to your system.

Can vaping cause allergies?

It is important to note that milder symptoms may not be coming from an allergic reaction at all. Vaping is dehydrating and can dry out your sinus passageways, mouth and throat. If you vape regularly, you may not be aware of just how much of a dehydrating effect vaping can have. Try upping your H2O intake first to see if this simple fix can eliminate any mild symptoms.

What happens if you have a PG allergy?

If you have a PG allergy, you’ll likely show signs of allergic contact dermatitis.

How does the immune system respond to an allergy?

Like it does in response to an infection, your immune system responds to the perceived threat by creating antibodies specifically designed to fight it off.

Can PG cause sore throat?

Although it’s entirely possible that new vapers having problems such as sore throats are having a reaction to PG, it’s not the only explanation. In fact, several symptoms often accompany quitting smoking, and these can overlap a little with the symptoms of PG sensitivity or allergy.

Can you get a PG allergy from vaping?

As mentioned earlier, PG is in so many different products you’ve probably already come into contact with PG on your skin. This means many people will a true PG allergy will probably be well aware of it – or at least that you have an allergy to something before you start vaping.

Is PG a true allergy?

The big issue is that these symptoms are a lot like what you’d get if your skin was simply irritated by PG. This isn’t a true allergic reaction, but the symptoms are so similar it can be really hard to tell which is which. In fact, this is a big part of the reason researchers aren’t quite sure how common PG allergy is.

Can you be allergic to PG?

A common explanation is that some people are just allergic to PG. But it ’s not that simple. In fact, while allergies do happen, in situations like the one dramatised above, it’s normally something a lot more common but arguably just as unpleasant: PG sensitivity.

Is vaping bad for you?

If you’re having a bad reaction to vaping, you should now see that it isn’t necessarily an “allergy.” In fact, the odds are that it’s sensitivity rather than an allergy, but it is possible that you’re having an allergic reaction.

Can you draw vapor into your lungs?

It isn't necessary to draw vapor into the lungs. If a lung hit makes him cough, then don't lung hit and he can counter his nicotine dependency from smoking just fine. It sounds like he has his nicotine addiction under control. Nicotine in vapor is absorbed in the mouth just fine, many vapers do not inhale into lungs.

Can you cough after smoking?

As the tiny cilia regenerate (are damaged by analogs) and start pushing the garbage out of the lungs, it can cause a nasty cough (persistent many many months in some cases) Really not enough history here to guess at that but certainly not an unusual condition..

When is something suspected as a respiratory allergen?

They found when something is suspected as a respiratory allergen, the concentration at which it could be used safely is too low for the ingredient to provide any flavour.

How long does it take for an allergic reaction to occur?

An allergic reaction usually happens within a few minutes of exposure to an allergen - the compound that a person is allergic to.

Why is it important to tell people about allergens in a product?

Dr Costigan said: "No two people have the same immune response, which is why it is important to tell people about allergens in a product even if all your data says most people shouldn't experience a problem."

What is less common, asthma or allergic reactions?

Less common is a respiratory allergic reaction or "chemical asthma".

What is the most common type of allergy?

Dr Sandra Costigan, principal toxicologist at British American Tobacco, explained the most common type of allergy is caused by the skin coming into contact with an allergen. Less common is a respiratory allergic reaction or "chemical asthma". "Although respiratory allergy is much less common than skin allergy, the potential adverse effects are much ...

Why are e-cigarettes so popular?

A wealth of scientific research has explored the health benefits and dangers of the devices, which are becoming increasingly popular. E-cigarettes were designed to help smokers quit their deadly habit, and are marketed as a healthier alternative to regular fags.

What is it called when you have a severe reaction?

But, severe reactions can also occur, and are called anaphylaxis - a medical emergency that can prove life-threatening.

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