Liquid nicotine skin allergy?

[michaelw]

I started vaping about three weeks ago and noticed a skin outbreak starting to happen on my shoulders, upper chest and neck, like a mild rash of little tiny pimples. I've had allergic reactions before that manifest this way so I know it's not just the "quit zits" I've read about. And besides, I haven't really quit analogs, I just reduced down the number by about half with the intention of weaning myself off them completely.

So I assumed it was an allergy to PG as that is what the e-liquid that came with the kit is made with, so I ordered an organic RY4 that is a PG/VG blend but got it in 36mg strength instead of the 18mg I was vaping previously because I felt like I wanted more nicotine. I tried vaping the RY4 full strength and the outbreak worsened dramatically. I tried cutting the RY4 with 0 strength VG (1 part VG, 2 parts RY4) but it doesn't seem to have helped. I'm wondering then if this is a liquid nicotine allergy rather than a PG allergy? It's possible I didn't give the VG cut RY4 enough of a chance but in the couple days I did give it, the breakout showed no signs of reducing. In my research, I haven't run across this type of reaction so I wanted to see if anyone had a similar experience? I really love vaping and want to continue but not at this cost. Thanks.
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[keyzygirl]

I get a skin rash from VG so you never know.If I use more than 20% VG I break out in a rash.

 

[dormouse]

Nicotine is a skin irritant. Even the nicotine patch warns about skin irritation. 100% PG vapor does little to buffer the irritation. Try juices with a bit of VG in their base, wash your hands every time you get juice on them, drink plenty of fluids. You are using extremely high nicotine.

There are also quit zits or hives that some people get when they switch - read about them in the Health section of ECF

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

When I first began vaping I was using 36 mg. After 2 weeks went to 30 mg and am now on 24 mg. While I was using the 36 occasionally I would get very itchy all over. Stopped when I went down to 30 mg.

 

[Freckle]

When I first started vaping I also broke out in a rash, well a dry skin patch. I talked to others out in the community and they had the same thing happen. One person actually said that a Dr had told them it was the chemicals from the cigarettes coming out of our bodies.

Every time I cut back my nicotine I still get dry patches and my acne flares up.

Not totally sure this is what is the case for you but know that a lot of people do get rashes at first when making the transition and it goes away with time.

 

[swedishfish]

It could be PG, could be VG or it could be flavoring. If you have other allergies it could be the VG because it's plant based or something in one of the flavorings. An option would be to try some unflavored.

 

[markfm]

Swedishfish is right. I've run across allergies to various mixes of tbe pg, vg, and flavorings components.
I mainly make my own eliquid, with organic flavorings, seems that they work better for some.

 

[michaelw]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Looks like I've got some testing to do! Cheers!