Help! Newbie. Seems I have 2 different allergies to both PG and VG. Suggest a mix for me to try?
- Thread starter tootired
- Start date
- th_trl_thread_readers 0
- Status
Bless your heart! Have you tried washing your hands really often and being very consious of NOT touching your face? Could it a a topical reation on your skin?
Right now I am as careful as a surgeon going into the operating room. I wipe down my tip with every puff, wipe down my whole unit after every drip with alcohol, wash my hands constantly and do not touch my face unless I have washed with soap 1st. It seems as if it is a topical reaction to the PG vape, where it hits my face and a contact reaction on my lips to the VG liquid. If I vape PG outside I get less of a reaction as the vape is blowing in the wind and not landing on my face. Crazy, right?
I would be extremely careful about vaping if you're having that type of allergic reaction. You don't want to go into anaphalactic shock. There is the option of trying PEG instead but is harder to find.
I totally get it. My daughter has such bad allergies that I keep epi pens in my home. I have one front and center in case of an extreme reaction.
I'm glad you said that. Make sure someone is in the house with you too if you attempt trying PEG as well. So sorry you're having these reactions with vaping. Please be very careful.
Nicotine can still be the problem. Nicotine is a skin irritant. It is more irritating in vapor but mainly in PG vapor. PG is thin and lets through the most flavor, nicotine TH and nicotine irritation.
BTW - what nic level were you using and what method to vape? If cartridge and atomizer, did you ever get liquid on your lips or in you mouth (or on your hands then not wash your hands and touch your face?). That method (cartridges) is prone to suddenly dropping a bunch of juice out of a cartridge.
Also, when you switched to VG did you use a fresh blank cart or carto and a clean atomizer?
I would at least try another brand in another flavor of something like 70PG/30VG in one step lower nic. And use cartomizers. I think 80PG/20Vg works better in cartomizers but I know 70PG/30VG was enough VG to get rid of my irritation at 18mg. And cartomizers (the stuffing kind) won't dump a large quantity of juice like cartridges can. I still occasionally got dry patches of irritation if I got juice on my fingers and didn't wash my hands and touched my face. Or if I excessively frenched the vapor (drag into mouth and let it out to inhale through nose). But that blend worked for me, buying locally made non-Chinese juices.
BTW - what nic level were you using and what method to vape? If cartridge and atomizer, did you ever get liquid on your lips or in you mouth (or on your hands then not wash your hands and touch your face?). That method (cartridges) is prone to suddenly dropping a bunch of juice out of a cartridge.
Also, when you switched to VG did you use a fresh blank cart or carto and a clean atomizer?
I would at least try another brand in another flavor of something like 70PG/30VG in one step lower nic. And use cartomizers. I think 80PG/20Vg works better in cartomizers but I know 70PG/30VG was enough VG to get rid of my irritation at 18mg. And cartomizers (the stuffing kind) won't dump a large quantity of juice like cartridges can. I still occasionally got dry patches of irritation if I got juice on my fingers and didn't wash my hands and touched my face. Or if I excessively frenched the vapor (drag into mouth and let it out to inhale through nose). But that blend worked for me, buying locally made non-Chinese juices.
Last edited:
...if you have had allergy problems in the past with both PG/VG in the past, I don't know what to tell you since, all juice, as far as I know, has a PG and or VG base...this could be a tough one................
madjack
True. Cigarettes also contain small amounts of PG/VG. I'd try unflavored.
Huh, I was going to suggest trying outside, if you're sitting in an enclosed space maybe the vapor is leaving a residue on your skin that irritates it? Can you just vape PG outside? How is your skin now?
Even when I vape outside, I get a reaction. Not as bad but I still get one.
Thanks! I will try a 80/20 and 70/30 mix.
Nic level switched from 24mg quickly to 14 and 11 mg. used clean carts and atty each time. I gave up on the carts all together( thinking my allergy could be the material in the carts) and now drip making sure there is no liquid that can get to my lips. All of my efforts have improved the severity of the reaction but has not eliminated it enough to a point that I can tolerate.
If you are pretty certain you have pg sensitivity, I would suggest trying just a little pure vg, no flavors, no nic, just diluted with distilled water. Some people with pg sensitivity also have flavoring sensitivity, and many nominally vg eliquid have some pg in the flavorings.
Vg is readily available at drug stores, labeled glycerin usp skin protestant. The only ingredient listed should be glycerin usp 99.5%. About $5 for a squat, clear, 6 ounce bottle, in the bandaid section.
Take a small clean bottle, fill it about 75% with the glycerin. Add just a bit of water ($1/gallon distilled water, sold in grocery stores). Shake it up. If it it's still really thick, add a bit more water.
See if this mix vapes ok. If it does, next step is to try some vg with nic.
Vg is readily available at drug stores, labeled glycerin usp skin protestant. The only ingredient listed should be glycerin usp 99.5%. About $5 for a squat, clear, 6 ounce bottle, in the bandaid section.
Take a small clean bottle, fill it about 75% with the glycerin. Add just a bit of water ($1/gallon distilled water, sold in grocery stores). Shake it up. If it it's still really thick, add a bit more water.
See if this mix vapes ok. If it does, next step is to try some vg with nic.
Hope you find something, maybe it is the flavoring?? maybe try VG diluted with distilled water?? bnrk
No go. Unfortunately, I tried this with disastrous results. This produced the worst reaction of all. Too bad. I thought this would be the magic fix.
All you guys are doing is suggesting they keep vaping the stuff they're allergic to!! WTF/FFS!! Getting ethylene glycol from PEG is NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. Probably less likely than getting it from PG, cause you'd have to cleave both its termini and then somehow combine them to get ethylene glycol. I'd definitely try PEG. If that doesn't work, you could also give dipropylene glycol a shot, but it's the most expensive option out there.
You can get PEG e-liquid from:
http://www.ecigsejuice.com/products/20ml-E-Liquid-PEG-400-.html
If you want to PEG-DIY, You can get a PEG nic-base from Unflavoured PEG 400 E-liquid DIY base 52mg-5.2% 75ml £25.99
or from Totally Wicked: Platinum Ice 54mg - Mixing Juice-PG, PEG-400 or VG- 30ml Bottle
Both also sell no nic PEG. Get some flavors to add to the mix, and you're good to go.
You can get PEG e-liquid from:
http://www.ecigsejuice.com/products/20ml-E-Liquid-PEG-400-.html
If you want to PEG-DIY, You can get a PEG nic-base from Unflavoured PEG 400 E-liquid DIY base 52mg-5.2% 75ml £25.99
or from Totally Wicked: Platinum Ice 54mg - Mixing Juice-PG, PEG-400 or VG- 30ml Bottle
Both also sell no nic PEG. Get some flavors to add to the mix, and you're good to go.
Last edited:
LOL! People are trying to help and I truly appreciate it, but, yea, vaping 100% of what I KNOW I'm allergic to is probably not the answer.Thanks for taking the time to give me alternatives. I just searched dipropylene glycol. Interesting. I'm going to 1st move to PEG400 straight then add in nic, then flavor. If that doesn't work I'll try DG. It's a long shot but I'm not going to give up easily. If I can't vape I fear a relapse with analogs and that is the last thing I want to do. Again, many thanks.
I'm so sorry you are having troubles with both PG and VG, hopfully PEG or DG will work for you. I hope you'll keep this thread updated, as it can help others in the same predicament.
If you find you just won't be able to vape or maybe you'll need to really limit your vaping, there are other alternatives. People use Swedish snus or nasal snuff and find they move away from smoking easily (I have used both). Some supplement their vaping (vape less) or even quit vaping all together using one of these (usually the snus). You can find more information here Smokeless tobacco
If you find you just won't be able to vape or maybe you'll need to really limit your vaping, there are other alternatives. People use Swedish snus or nasal snuff and find they move away from smoking easily (I have used both). Some supplement their vaping (vape less) or even quit vaping all together using one of these (usually the snus). You can find more information here Smokeless tobacco
I'm baaaaack. Just received my PEG 400 and flavors. Vaping it now. Disappointing vapor plumes but I shall forge on. NO NIC as I had such a bad reaction before I do not want to chance it and it forced me into withdrawal anyhow. Wasn't pretty. Wish me luck and I promise to report back.
tootired - Read your story and I hope you find something that works for you.
My wife had a bad reaction to the PG juice with itchy throat and it just made her feel awful, extreme fatigue and she turned very pale after only a few puffs. We switched over to 100% VG (no PG flavor extracts) juice and it worked! She is happily vaping away now and down from a pack or more to only 3-5 analogs a day.
I read back through your thread and I didn't see you mention much about equipment except for the change you made from carts to cartos. Which PV/ecig are you using?
Best wishes and good luck with the new PEG juice you are trying!
My wife had a bad reaction to the PG juice with itchy throat and it just made her feel awful, extreme fatigue and she turned very pale after only a few puffs. We switched over to 100% VG (no PG flavor extracts) juice and it worked! She is happily vaping away now and down from a pack or more to only 3-5 analogs a day.
I read back through your thread and I didn't see you mention much about equipment except for the change you made from carts to cartos. Which PV/ecig are you using?
Best wishes and good luck with the new PEG juice you are trying!
- Status
Similar threads
