Body breaking out in hives from vaping.

[b00gym4n]

Whoa.

First, do you have other existing allergies? Do you see an Allergist? Taking daily antihistamines is a non-issue. Especially if you may have other reasons (allergies) that you aren't even all that aware of. I have an allergic reaction to one of my freakin' cardiac medications. You know what the symptoms are? - hives and itching. The solution isn't to stop taking the cardiac medication. The solution is to take loratadine religiously. But before you write off any potential solutions you need to figure out what you are dealing with.

You have three potential sources of allergic reaction here: PG, VG (unlikely), or your flavorings or sweeteners. People here tend to fall into two very broad classes when it comes to PG allergic reaction: People like me who can tolerate PG used as a carrier in flavorings - up to about 20% of the total amount of a liquid. Or the severely allergic who have extreme reaction to any PG in a liquid. Period.

If you're actually breaking out in hives don't mess with this. Start with 100 VG at your regular nic level, unflavored, and see how that goes. If you have no reaction within 48 hours (admittedly arbitrary figure) then start introducing things back into the mix. Start adding PG only - no flavorings - to see if PG itself begins to trigger reactions again and at what level. No reactions? Then you have to start systematically looking at your flavorings.

There is no mystery to PG allergy. It's been known in the medical community since long before vaping came around. Mind you, it's still the exception - but that doesn't mean it's any less valid either. Ask an Allergist about it and see how familiar they are with the problem. It won't be a rare thing requiring deep research.

Going to try the unflavored 100% VG first. That's probably the smartest approach to it.

I'm 100% sure it's from vaping. I've been getting minor itches here and there when I started vaping, but thought it was maybe soap or my socks. I've changed to non-fragrance detergent, high quality soaps, basically everything. Can't believe I didn't think of e-liquid for so long. Anyways, it got much worse once I started getting into rebuildable atomizers and sub ohming. I vape 3x more juice and inhale large amounts of vapor... that's when it all started.

Google allergic reactions to vaping and you'll find several threads on it. I was unaware of this the entire time and hopefully these kind of things will be labeled on e-liquid bottles from now on. I'm sort of lucky because it's just rashes... other people have had their throats swollen/unable to breath.

I promise to update this thread as I go through my process so others can find a solution faster.

 

[b00gym4n]

How long ago did you start DiY? and where do you get your supplies? Did you have the hives before you started DiY?
It's possible to be allergic to any one of the ingredients in your e-liquid. So break it down, and make your juice as simplistic as possible, and then just add one ingredient at a time until you find the one that you react to. Start with just VG thinned with a little distilled water since you suspect VG. Then add nicotine, and see what happens, Then a small amount of PG. After, and only after, you determine a base that you are comfortable with should you start messing with adding flavors.

Started DIY maybe 1.5 months ago. Bought all base liquids from ejuice4you and flavorings from TPA & Capella. After doing a ton of research and reading other peoples experiences, I've come to the conclusion that it is PG and or Flavorings. I'm smoking cigarettes for now, until my 100% vg nicotine comes in and will test it out.

 

[crxess]

Not to be rude but you should be sitting in an emergency room or arranging a doctor visit, NOT typing on a forum looking for answers to PERSONAL health issues.
If you think it is Vape related - STOP all usage until you get a definitive answer.

 

[Youssefa]

crxess is right, First, Your health is the reason you started vaping. Second, if you are having a bad reaction to vaping, you could become a statistic in the war against ecigs.

 

[v1k1ng1001]

Be careful who you buy from or go DIY because there are juices that use 100% vg base but then the flavoring or nicotine contains pg.

 

[Racehorse]

Start with 100 VG at your regular nic level, unflavored, and see how that goes.

This is first step, for sure.

This will eliminate both PG and flavorings problem....because you won't be vaping either.


If this test goes well, add 1 flavoring to the VG/nic mix. If no problems, then you can use that flavoring and VG.

Test other flavorings in the VG/nic solution.

If you have hives during that then it is flavorings that are your problem.

 

[stevegmu]

Propylene glycol is in things like asthma inhalers. You wouldn't have reached the same conclusion from recting to a 'safe' prescription.

Have you read the list of possible side-effects from asthma inhalers? Just because something is used to treat an illness doesn't make it safe.

VENTOLIN HFA may cause serious side effects, including:
worsening trouble breathing, coughing, and wheezing (paradoxical bronchospasm). If this happens, stop using VENTOLIN HFA and call your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away. This is more likely to happen with your first use of a new canister of medicine.
heart problems, including faster heart rate and higher blood pressure.
possible death in people with asthma who use too much VENTOLIN HFA.
allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:
itchy skin
swelling beneath your skin or in your throat
rash
worsening trouble breathing
low potassium levels in your blood.
worsening of other medical problems in people who also use
VENTOLIN HFA, including increases in blood sugar.
Common side effects of VENTOLIN HFA include:
your heart feels like it is pounding or racing (palpitations)
chest pain
fast heart rate
shakiness
nervousness
headache
pain
dizziness
sore throat
runny nose

 

[b00gym4n]

I appreciate all of your concerns, but I don't think my rashes are emergency enough to go to a doctor. I mean my body skin is pretty disgusting right now, but I know it will get better as I flush all of this built up e-juice out of my system. I'll tell you what though, the itch I get from this allergic reaction is probably the worst I've ever had. I mean I want to scratch it with a knife until I bleed. :X

 

[suspectK]

Have you read the list of possible side-effects from asthma inhalers? Just because something is used to treat an illness doesn't make it safe.

I was talking about the reaction and consideration of more possibilities, and it was just a good example. Not that propylene glycol can't cause this.. The increase in vapor production later mentioned, makes it seem more plausible just to become reactive after DIY.. The information wasn't all there in the beginning. I should've asked.. I didn't. done.

Edit..I just thought about this. Right after I was in this thread I left for a job site. I ended up having a hive on my forearm.. to say the least I was like ...? Then, after solving panic from how reading about it earlier could've possibly been a catalyst in creating the hive, I was leaning on a table in a relay house.. Possibly could have gotten some electrolyte used in the batteries underneath it or something of that sort.. It went away...but I was still a-scared..

 

[Rickajho]

I appreciate all of your concerns, but I don't think my rashes are emergency enough to go to a doctor. I mean my body skin is pretty disgusting right now, but I know it will get better as I flush all of this built up e-juice out of my system. I'll tell you what though, the itch I get from this allergic reaction is probably the worst I've ever had. I mean I want to scratch it with a knife until I bleed. :X

Can you elaborate on the itching? If it comes on as intense itching, but largely in the extremities, and in a "pattern" where the itching suddenly disappears from one spot and randomly pops up in another place, traveling from one place to another like right wrist, left ankle, left thigh, right forearm etc. - that's a known symptom of an allergic reaction to PG.

 

[cmdebrecht]

I appreciate all of your concerns, but I don't think my rashes are emergency enough to go to a doctor. I mean my body skin is pretty disgusting right now, but I know it will get better as I flush all of this built up e-juice out of my system. I'll tell you what though, the itch I get from this allergic reaction is probably the worst I've ever had. I mean I want to scratch it with a knife until I bleed. :X

Oh I can sympathize with you about hives! A little over a year ago I had a horrible reaction to an antibiotic. The only (and I mean only) part of my body not covered in angry red hives were the soles of my feet. I was so red and puffy I looked like Bob the Tomato.

Anyway, as long as you don't feel that your tongue is swelling or that your throat is itching you probably don't require emergency care.

I do recommend going to a doctor, though. He could prescribe a short-term course of steroids to at least get your overactive immune system calmed down. This, and some Benadryl or other antihistamine, should get you feeling. more comfortable in half a day.

You could also try a bath with some baking soda or a soak that contains oatmeal. Avoid using hot water in your showers and baths for the time being. The heat will increase circulation in your skin nd get those mast cells all worked up again.

Hope you are feeling better soon!

 

[Lessifer]

I don't mean to be rude, and I know that join dates don't always mean what we think, but did you not notice any itching over the past 4 years? PG and VG have been used from the beginning as far as I know, and more often than not juice is more PG than VG. I would seriously look into anything else that could be causing your reaction. By all means try cutting out the PG, but it could be unrelated. I break out in hives whenever I use a product that contains benzophenone, which is used in a lot of shampoos, body washes, etc. to give it a longer shelf life.

 

[b00gym4n]

Can you elaborate on the itching? If it comes on as intense itching, but largely in the extremities, and in a "pattern" where the itching suddenly disappears from one spot and randomly pops up in another place, traveling from one place to another like right wrist, left ankle, left thigh, right forearm etc. - that's a known symptom of an allergic reaction to PG.

It's usually in spots where my skin is the most fragile and sweats. Like, behind the knees, behind the ears, armpit areas, stomach, behind the elbow, eye lids, inner thighs etc. I've started using aveeno eczma cream and hydrocortizone and it has helped reduce redness and smoothed out the skin a bit.

I don't mean to be rude, and I know that join dates don't always mean what we think, but did you not notice any itching over the past 4 years? PG and VG have been used from the beginning as far as I know, and more often than not juice is more PG than VG. I would seriously look into anything else that could be causing your reaction. By all means try cutting out the PG, but it could be unrelated. I break out in hives whenever I use a product that contains benzophenone, which is used in a lot of shampoos, body washes, etc. to give it a longer shelf life.

I started using the Joye 510's back in 2009. I used to get itches on the top of my feet, but figured it was due to sweating and my socks. I started vaping again maybe less than a year ago and have been using the ego twist with cartomizers... I started getting dry skin and minor itches, nothing serious. My hives started breaking out bad when I got into DIY and rebuildable atomizers. My guess is that my body couldn't handle that much PG (or some type of chemical) since I started chain vaping since then and I was vaping 3-4x more than before. Also, my room would get much more foggier from the large amounts of vapor I was producing with the more advance mods.

I've switches shampoos, soaps, laundry detergent, washed everything etc. The only thing I can think of is from vaping and I'll find out in about a week to pinpoint exactly what is causing this. It's just extremely weird how when I read other threads about this they're experiencing the same thing.

 

[Lessifer]

Fair enough, hope you get it sorted out. Like I said, I've had a reaction like what you're describing and it is not fun.

 

[AttyPops]

I've been making my own lately.

PG, VG, Natural & Artificial Flavorings, Ethyl Alcohol, Nicotine, sometimes sweet sucrose

Wait. Member since 2009. Making own juice "lately". Now all of a sudden have PG concerns and hives?
OK. Allergies can develop over time. But this is....strange.

Talk to your doctor. If approved:
Try 100% VG thinned with water. Unflavored.
Or PG/VG unflavored.
Or get some lozenges and forgo the e-cigs.
Also track what you eat and drink.

And have an epi-pen handy if you experiment.

Some flavorings give me hives. That's why I DIY my juice...

EDIT: Didn't read all posts. So, OK, had some issues all along....
Maybe e-cigs aren't for you.

 

[crxess]

Remember - DNA writes the rules
Certain people and items cannot be mixed - this is just the nature of things and makes nothing a danger to all or a threat to the masses.
Diabetics - sweets
Lactose intolerance - Milk
individual Allergies - strawberries, shrimp, yeast, Gluten, etc.
Flue Vaccine saves millions - cripples/kills small percentage

This is the unfortunate part of being unique. We must always be vigilant of things that effect us on an individual basis.

Not trying to make light of any negative condition. Health is a serious matter. Just want people to be more direct about an issue and more specific about comparison references.
Certain terminologies can make it sound as if everyone is going against logic and deliberately partaking in unhealthy consumption rather than acknowledging a few other persons have had an allergic reaction.
5 of 10 persons would be a threat of danger
5 of 100 a serious concern
5 of 1000 would warrant attention/study
5 of 1 million is an individual reaction - be it an allergy, etc.

We do want all to be informed and we should, without creating a panic.

I would suggest a full list of changes/items you are using since this was brought on.
Doctors love list
They are keys to events
They narrow possibilities and speed accurate diagnosis

 

[azzaman]

Correlation doesn't equal causation.

Lots of things can cause an allergy. Eliminate everything and slowly introduce things. Diet, household items, vaping.

 

[TomCatt]

I'll definitely look into that. I don't want to switch to 100% vg because that stuff will make you all oily from it sweating out of your skin. I'm seriously about to just go cold turkey. This is too much. None of this stuff is as safe as we think it is.

does this really happen?


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk 2

 

[classwife]

There's a 24 page http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ng/71250-itchy-skin-rashes-pg-allergy-17.html thread on it, but there's NO solutions or any updates. I don't know why they closed this.

The system auto closes threads that have been inactive for 6 months.

 

[classwife]

About 4-6 weeks into vaping, I started itching like crazy.

I was simply not getting enough water.