new member hello, and Q re: cigarette "withdrawal" symptoms (??)

[eatingsea]

hello all! i'm a little over one week into using an e-cig. i had been smoking about 1-1.5 packs a day for approximately 6 years, and i have found using the e-cig most definitely satisfies any and all cravings/needs i've had and haven't touched an "analog" since i began! i'm very impressed with my adorable joyetech e-roll

i do have a question as to how my boyfriend is handling his introduction to vaping and stopping smoking. we started on the same day and he similarly is doing just fine without the "real thing." however, he was a much, much heavier smoker than me (about 18 years strong, 2 packs a day, never attempted to quit before). a few days after we started vaping, he suddenly started breaking out in a horrible, persistent, itchy red rash on his body, mainly concentrated on his chest, back, neck, arms, hands and stomach. he would scratch the itchy areas and be left with long, raised red streaks and then, tiny little bumps, almost like eczema. i've been with him for 5 years and he has the heartiest constitution ever, so this was shocking. the only conclusion we could come to is that the rash/allergy was somehow connected to cigarette "withdrawal" (we just perished the thought that he was somehow allergic to vaping). the rash was persistent for about 2 days and now it's subsiding. my question is, has anyone else experienced this? could it possibly be related to suddenly stopping smoking analog cigs, or is it just coincidental he got a rash and it's due to something else perhaps?

thanks for all responses!!

 

[geeve]

Could be from withdraw, could be a reaction to a flavoring in the juice, could be the anxiety from the drastic change in habbit as well, or it could be a coincidence. if it comes back or gets worse go to see your doc.... past that make sure to up your water intake and it will help with alot of dry throat, skin and dry mouth. everybody is different when it comes to withdraw so I would just monitor it and see what happens. Like anything else, if it gets to where you or him are uncomfortable with anything call your Doc

Not trying to sound scary but like I said everyone is different..... I still get hot flashes after almost a month, but I know that is withdraw because I have "quit" (more like paused) before and it happened then as well.

Geeve

 

[Krazirob]

coincidence maybe? maybe it was something not related to smoking period and just so happen to appear when he started vaping......just a thought.....never seen anyone allergic to vaping or had a breakout from stopping analogs.......but i have seen where someone is allergic to a certain flavor......

 

[Fenris4024]

First of all, congrats to both of you for making the switch, and welcome to the forums!

List of Symptoms - ECF sticky

(because I had to beat Caridwen to it just once!!!)

It sounds like its more of just coincidence, but I'd certainly get it checked out if it returns... it could be a sign of something unrelated to cigs/ vaping altogether. It could also simply be a stress reaction... stress can do all manner of weird things to you, even if you don't "feel" stressed.

 

[DEAN W]

I have heard of people allergic to PG and stuff, might want to look into that.

 

[dmanindfw]

Yes I agree with Dean that it could be a PG allergy. Do some research on that topic to see what comes up. You may want to try some juice from another vendor as well.

 

[eatingsea]

thank you all! if it continues and/or worsens, i will definitely push him toward that doctor's door (it'll be a difficult weight to push against). and i will check out that link. and thank you for the congratulations! i am rather surprised how easy it was to give up cigarettes. i sure don't miss all that ash

First of all, congrats to both of you for making the switch, and welcome to the forums!

List of Symptoms - ECF sticky

(because I had to beat Caridwen to it just once!!!)

It sounds like its more of just coincidence, but I'd certainly get it checked out if it returns... it could be a sign of something unrelated to cigs/ vaping altogether. It could also simply be a stress reaction... stress can do all manner of weird things to you, even if you don't "feel" stressed.

 

[alisa1970]

Yes, def take him to the DR if it continues. I have eczema, and high PG juice or too long vaping PG will aggravate it. I've had it so long I didn't make the connection because I just never put anything on my skin.

You can try giving him Benadryl in the short term and if it works then it's likely an allergy. However, even if it is, seeing a Dr is a good idea just in case there is something else going on or just for peace of mind.

Your body can do all kinds of weird things while you're detoxing, too--

 

[gammaxgoblin]

I found I had to scale back the nic concentration quickly and unexpectedly. 3.6 was necessary and a week later it was way too much. .... some days 1.8 feels like to much now. ... It's probably atopic dermatitis..... best described as the itch that rashes. ... just monitor it while isolating variables.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

 

[yaypudding]

Read this for quitting withdrawal symptoms, idk if your specific issue is covered, but there are some useful links and info.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/health-safety-e-smoking/3305-list-symptoms-when-quitting-tobacco-changing-ecigarette.html

edit: oops JL already put the link up

 

[harrycan]

Actually it might be hives or a heat rash.Drink plenty of water.I dropped down from 1.8nic to 1.1 and had a bad case of hives or a heat rash from not sweating.

 

[eatingsea]

interesting. although it's unfortunate for anyone to be miserable with a skin breakout/rash, i am relieved to hear others have experienced something similar. incidentally, the rash has subsided. a little itchiness and some red marks where he scratched his poor skin to high hell, but nowhere near as awful as it was the few days after quitting cigs. cortisone cream helped to relieve the pain a lot. we are suspicious of one particular vendor's liquids and he's avoiding them for the time being. i myself love them though so will continue. thanks for everyone's help, what a great forum this is!!

Actually it might be hives or a heat rash.Drink plenty of water.I dropped down from 1.8nic to 1.1 and had a bad case of hives or a heat rash from not sweating.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

I am not a doctor, but I am a cancer researcher for many doctors at a national institution. A rash is one of several ways the body detoxifies itself. In this instance, this is likely a withdrawal symptom and your body is doing a very natural, normal and healthy process, presenting as a "healing crisis." Detoxification comes in many forms and is a GOOD symptom, and can present in many ways. The body holds on to toxins in fat cells until the body is well enough to release the toxins. Certainly, any doctor should look at any condition, but I would be celebrating this healing process, not worrying about it. That being said, this condition could be unrelated to your smoking cessation, and that would be the only concern. Given the timing, though, probably detox w/d symptom. Obviously, you'll keep an eye on it. Detoxification can take several days to clear up, presenting in this manner. Most of the symptoms of withdrawal are the body ridding itself of toxins that have been suppressed for years in many cases (detoxification). Coughing, sneezing, flu like symptoms, mucous, difficulty sleeping, cravings, rash etc. are all detox symptoms. If after a few days it doesn't go away, or certainly if it gets worse, consult medical personnel. Good luck to you! You are likely just getting well. All the best!

 

[Shanigenz]

I too got a rash of bumps when I started. I saw a Dr and he said it was likely a skin rash caused by my body detoxing all the nasty chemicals in the cancer sticks. Cortisone cream was a godsend for the itching!!!

 

[harrycan]

Actually it might be hives or a heat rash.Drink plenty of water.I dropped down from 1.8nic to 1.1 and had a bad case of hives or a heat rash from not sweating.

I was using a PG E-juice to when i got the rash.