Allergic reaction to second-hand vape? - e-cigarette-forum.com • The place for electronic cigarette reviews, news and chat

DonDaBoomVape · 07-12-2009, 05:56 PM

I am having no negative reaction to vaping or to PG.

However, my wife (a life-long non-smoker and non-vaper) has multiple sclerosis (and generally a very sensitive system). About two weeks into my vaping (a couple weeks ago), the tightness in her chest that she sometimes experiences flared up.

[That tightness first occurred about 10 years ago, after some acupuncture sessions.]

The timing of this recent occurrence coincided with my starting to fill cartridges of my new DSE801 penstyle with e-liquid (and some DIY mixing). [Previously I had been vaping a KR808D-1 with prefilled cartomizers.]

I have since moved out to the patio to do all my vaping (just as I did with my analog smoking) and I store all my liquids in a sealed container (which I keep out on the patio). Her chest tightness has eased.

I am not 100% sure that her recent problem is due to my vaping. For 2 weeks, I had vaped (virtually chain-vaped) in the same room as she with no problem. During the past few weeks the heat and humidity (and rain) here in South Florida have been unusually high. Perhaps the pollen count has been high as well, but I don't know. Or maybe she reacted to the exposed liquids and flavorings (but not to the vapor).

Ironically, she seemed to have the most severe reaction when I mixed spearmint flavor (intense) with VG.

We are a very committed couple (married 32 years), so her health and well-being are extremely important to me. At the same time, I am really enjoying the vaping experience and would like to vape more often (i.e., inside), not just during outside "smoke breaks." [See my signature.] And the same weather conditions mentioned above make spending much time outside not so pleasant.

Does anyone here know of any instances of reactions to second-hand vape? Or have any suggestions?

Thanks!

chad · 07-12-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonBoldUser

Ironically, she seemed to have the most severe reaction when I mixed spearmint flavor (intense) with VG.

Is it possible the flavoring additives are the cause and not the PG/VG? Maybe try to get a bottle of spearmint oil and see if that causes her problems. I know people who are very sensitive to some essential oils.

happily · 07-12-2009, 06:24 PM

Didn't you post this 2 weeks ago,,,,,,,,,,,what's the update?

DonDaBoomVape · 07-13-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happily

Didn't you post this 2 weeks ago,,,,,,,,,,,what's the update?

Yes, I did post something to this effect a couple weeks ago in the Fibromyalgia thread. As I said then: "[BTW, since the issue of second-hand vape is off-topic for this thread, I think I'll start a new thread for it. My concerns are only tangentially related to fibro and lactic.]"

The update includes the statement in my first post of this thread: "I have since moved out to the patio to do all my vaping (just as I did with my analog smoking) and I store all my liquids in a sealed container (which I keep out on the patio). Her chest tightness has eased."

Beyond that, two events of potential relevance:

A couple of evenings this past week I "cheated"* (to avoid being eaten up by mosquitos which have attacked our area) and vaped a bit in my office (with the door closed as I have been doing recently to isolate her from lingering odors). My wife didn't notice.
Yesterday, I brought into the house and opened an empty container that had had a couple spearmint carts in it. [I used it to soak a dying atomizer in hydrogen peroxide.] My wife complained about even that brief exposure to the spearmint scent.

And previously, during my first couple weeks of vaping (in the house), she had noticed the smell of the vapor from a RY4 cartridge (more aromatic than plain tobacco flavor).

So chad in his note above may very well be correct: It may be some of the flavoring (e.g., the LorAnn spearmint) that is bothering her, rather than my vaping of PG or VG.

I'll keep you posted.

* FYI: Little things like that are the only cheating I've ever done in our marriage.

TropicalBob · 07-14-2009, 03:36 PM

Let me join in this by saying I, too, think Chad got it right. You'll find it's the flavorings that are bothering your wife. She smells them.

Some people are extremely sensitive to odors given off by perfumes. A person using a strong perfume fragrance -- sandalwood and musk, for instance -- will bring these sensitive types to a hand-waving frenzy usually seen only from members of Tobacco-Free Kids. They are made physically ill (mentally, too, but that's another story) from the delightful smell.

I can attest that exhaled vapors have odors. We can say otherwise all we want, but I've heard numerous times from those riding in a closed, air conditioned car with me. My wife smells it when riding as a front-seat passenger. More incredible, my twin grandkids smell it while riding in the back seat -- and can identify the flavor of RY4 by its "cotton candy" aroma. They can also identify the cappuccino flavor by its unique aroma.

Now, if they had sensitivity to odors, as some do, I'd have trouble e-smoking anywhere near them. Fortunately, they aren't sensitive. My bet is Don's wife is.

paladinx · 07-14-2009, 06:08 PM

I am not trying to be a wise guy at all by this statement. But do you think there is a remote chance that second hand reactions to whatever are more psychological than anything? I say this because only 20 or so years ago, people were smoking cigarettes EVERYWHERE. Restaurants, malls, bars, etc. Many people never even complained about smells or anything, especially when smoking cigarettes was the "cool" thing to do. Now if someone smells a cigarette from 20 miles away they start hacking and coughing flaring their hands in the air in agony. Everyone uses the word "allergic" and second hand smoke. bla bla. My sister is one example. She lived in a house full of smokers her whole life and never said a peep. now in 2009 you cant go near her with a cig or she goes into a coughing fit. how come she wasnt like that when five people used to blow smoke in her face?

Kate51 · 07-14-2009, 06:27 PM

TB, you got it right, too. I have an extreme sensitivity to PG, makes me feel like I'm being strangled. I only use flavors with the least amount of ingredients possible, i.e., tobacco or tennessee cured at the most. The more flavors you add the more you expose yourself to additional coloring, ingredients in flavoring and scents can also be very irritating to people with a predisposition to breathing problems. The longer the exposure the more intense the reaction.

TropicalBob · 07-14-2009, 06:32 PM

Your assessment is accurate, Paladinx, but I think it goes beyond mere psychological reaction for some. An easy test is not to let them see you are e-smoking. With my grandkids, they are deep into a hand-held videogame in the back seat, paying me no attention as I drive with the back of head visible to them.

"What's that smell?" one will say. "Oh, grandpa is smoking that thing again," the other will answer, and they return full attention to the game. They have not seen me e-smoking in the driver's seat. They smelled the vapor.

Face it: Exhaled vapor smells. It has odor. Whether that is of consequence to anyone is a very important issue for the future of e-smoking. But it's something I don't feel we can deny or brush off lightly as "all in their heads."

TropicalBob · 07-14-2009, 06:37 PM

duplicated post as system messed up .. repeatedly ...

Stephaniems · 07-14-2009, 06:44 PM

I agree that they do have a smell to them. That being said I've never had anyone say that it is an unpleasant smell and with the ruyan#4 people enjoy the smell, to the point that nonsmokers ask if they can get oils to heat to make their house smell good.

I would test it out to see if it was psychological reaction.

07-12-2009, 05:56 PM	#1
DonDaBoomVape Supporting Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 552	Allergic reaction to second-hand vape? I am having no negative reaction to vaping or to PG. However, my wife (a life-long non-smoker and non-vaper) has multiple sclerosis (and generally a very sensitive system). About two weeks into my vaping (a couple weeks ago), the tightness in her chest that she sometimes experiences flared up. [That tightness first occurred about 10 years ago, after some acupuncture sessions.] The timing of this recent occurrence coincided with my starting to fill cartridges of my new DSE801 penstyle with e-liquid (and some DIY mixing). [Previously I had been vaping a KR808D-1 with prefilled cartomizers.] I have since moved out to the patio to do all my vaping (just as I did with my analog smoking) and I store all my liquids in a sealed container (which I keep out on the patio). Her chest tightness has eased. I am not 100% sure that her recent problem is due to my vaping. For 2 weeks, I had vaped (virtually chain-vaped) in the same room as she with no problem. During the past few weeks the heat and humidity (and rain) here in South Florida have been unusually high. Perhaps the pollen count has been high as well, but I don't know. Or maybe she reacted to the exposed liquids and flavorings (but not to the vapor). Ironically, she seemed to have the most severe reaction when I mixed spearmint flavor (intense) with VG. We are a very committed couple (married 32 years), so her health and well-being are extremely important to me. At the same time, I am really enjoying the vaping experience and would like to vape more often (i.e., inside), not just during outside "smoke breaks." [See my signature.] And the same weather conditions mentioned above make spending much time outside not so pleasant. Does anyone here know of any instances of reactions to second-hand vape? Or have any suggestions? Thanks! __________________ DonDaBoomVape ... bum, bum! The Wonderful World of Vaping: An Illustrated Guide to E-cigs I am, therefore I think ... differently from most, apparently.

07-12-2009, 06:24 PM	#3
happily Super Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: ut Posts: 1,964	Didn't you post this 2 weeks ago,,,,,,,,,,,what's the update? __________________ The sledge hammer: JOYE 510 THE WRECKING BALL VP2 http://www.vaprlife.com/index.html

07-14-2009, 06:27 PM	#7
Kate51 Supporting Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Argyle Wi USA Posts: 1,935	TB, you got it right, too. I have an extreme sensitivity to PG, makes me feel like I'm being strangled. I only use flavors with the least amount of ingredients possible, i.e., tobacco or tennessee cured at the most. The more flavors you add the more you expose yourself to additional coloring, ingredients in flavoring and scents can also be very irritating to people with a predisposition to breathing problems. The longer the exposure the more intense the reaction. __________________ Smokers have more choices than just quitting or dying

07-14-2009, 06:37 PM	#9
TropicalBob ECF Veteran Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Port Charlotte, FL USA Posts: 5,076	duplicated post as system messed up .. repeatedly ... Last edited by TropicalBob; 07-14-2009 at 09:44 PM.

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07-14-2009, 03:36 PM	#5
TropicalBob ECF Veteran Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Port Charlotte, FL USA Posts: 5,076	Let me join in this by saying I, too, think Chad got it right. You'll find it's the flavorings that are bothering your wife. She smells them. Some people are extremely sensitive to odors given off by perfumes. A person using a strong perfume fragrance -- sandalwood and musk, for instance -- will bring these sensitive types to a hand-waving frenzy usually seen only from members of Tobacco-Free Kids. They are made physically ill (mentally, too, but that's another story) from the delightful smell. I can attest that exhaled vapors have odors. We can say otherwise all we want, but I've heard numerous times from those riding in a closed, air conditioned car with me. My wife smells it when riding as a front-seat passenger. More incredible, my twin grandkids smell it while riding in the back seat -- and can identify the flavor of RY4 by its "cotton candy" aroma. They can also identify the cappuccino flavor by its unique aroma. Now, if they had sensitivity to odors, as some do, I'd have trouble e-smoking anywhere near them. Fortunately, they aren't sensitive. My bet is Don's wife is.

07-14-2009, 06:08 PM	#6
paladinx ECF Veteran Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 351	I am not trying to be a wise guy at all by this statement. But do you think there is a remote chance that second hand reactions to whatever are more psychological than anything? I say this because only 20 or so years ago, people were smoking cigarettes EVERYWHERE. Restaurants, malls, bars, etc. Many people never even complained about smells or anything, especially when smoking cigarettes was the "cool" thing to do. Now if someone smells a cigarette from 20 miles away they start hacking and coughing flaring their hands in the air in agony. Everyone uses the word "allergic" and second hand smoke. bla bla. My sister is one example. She lived in a house full of smokers her whole life and never said a peep. now in 2009 you cant go near her with a cig or she goes into a coughing fit. how come she wasnt like that when five people used to blow smoke in her face?

07-14-2009, 06:32 PM	#8
TropicalBob ECF Veteran Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Port Charlotte, FL USA Posts: 5,076	Your assessment is accurate, Paladinx, but I think it goes beyond mere psychological reaction for some. An easy test is not to let them see you are e-smoking. With my grandkids, they are deep into a hand-held videogame in the back seat, paying me no attention as I drive with the back of head visible to them. "What's that smell?" one will say. "Oh, grandpa is smoking that thing again," the other will answer, and they return full attention to the game. They have not seen me e-smoking in the driver's seat. They smelled the vapor. Face it: Exhaled vapor smells. It has odor. Whether that is of consequence to anyone is a very important issue for the future of e-smoking. But it's something I don't feel we can deny or brush off lightly as "all in their heads."

07-14-2009, 06:44 PM	#10
Stephaniems Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 280	I agree that they do have a smell to them. That being said I've never had anyone say that it is an unpleasant smell and with the ruyan#4 people enjoy the smell, to the point that nonsmokers ask if they can get oils to heat to make their house smell good. I would test it out to see if it was psychological reaction.