Rash as allergic reaction?

[aikid19]

Hi everyone,

I have been vaping instead of smoking 4 weeks tomorrow. Yay me!

My question is on behalf of my beloved. She has seen my success in quitting analogs and bought a couple of disposables, trying to follow suit. After less than a day she broke out in a severe allergic-type rash reaction. While there may, of course, be many factors for the break out, the e-cig is kind of presenting as one of the stronger candidates of the cause.

Has anyone else experienced this, personally or anecdotally? She is not otherwise prone to allergies particularly.

Thanks for responses.

 

[elfstone]

I haven't experienced it, fortunately, but allergy to PG (propylene glycol) has been described. While the type of allergic reaction usually described is different, you can never say for sure it isn't. And while you can't discount other components in those disposables, PG is the most likely candidate. Also, she must look carefully for any new food or medication - it's easy to overlook something.

It may be a really good idea to have the rash looked at by someone qualified to say if it's the type of rash seen in allergic reactions or something else. Other than that, I can't really say much.

 

[Rocketman]

Potentially it is the PG in the e-juice. Especially old e-juice in pre-filled cartridges.
PG sensitivity to vaping, with no previous indications could be it.

A lower percentage of PG, like 50/50 PG/VG sometimes helps.
E-juice can be purchased in the strength you like with any ratio of PG to VG.

I am sorry to say this, but she should probably hold off vaping for a couple of days until you can get an alternate e-juice.
If the rash in severe enough, see a health care professional.


Good luck.

 

[36tinybells]

I had a terrible rash/swelling from the flavorings and additives. Not entirely a bad thing, since I ended up taking diy serious and actually prefer my juice to most premades now. I have gluten and corn allergies, the corn is what was the culprit. If she has a corn allergy, this could be the culprit. Highbrow (Bryan) Vapor is awesome about customizing juice, if you don't want to diy yet.

 

[Rickajho]

Medically, I don't know quite where the hair is split between an allergic reaction versus a "sensitivity" to an ingredient. For example: I have a friend who was vaping 50/50 PG/VG for over a year and had recurring breakouts of what she described as "dermatitis" - areas of red blotchiness on her face and hands that would come and go in severity. That was her only symptom. In my case I had severe reactions to PG in the first four days of vaping - which included nausea that turned to vomiting, intense allergic itching on my hands and forearms, and ultimately hours of difficulty breathing.

In my friends case she never investigated the matter much with her MD. My allergist confirmed that what I experienced was an allergic reaction to PG and said they see a lot of allergy problems in his practice regarding products that contain PG. If people don't have a problem with it - fine. But allergic reactions to PG do occur, are a lot more common than Dow Chemical leads you to believe, and a full blown allergic reaction can actually be a serious medical problem.

That all being said, in both her case and mine eliminating PG completely eliminated both our problems. The only thing either of us will vape are 100% VG liquids and we have had zero problems with adverse reactions using VG.

It does, unfortunately, pretty much leave us in the position of being our own crash test dummies. There is no doubt that a pre-filled disposable contained a high concentration of PG. Not knowing what setup you are using, you need to get her a sample bottle of a liquid she will like to try in 100% PG and 100% VG and do the obvious: try one and then the other. From what you described if she is having an issue with PG the symptoms should come on quickly and be just as obvious. If that's the case STOP! The point has been made. Try the VG and if she has no negative reactions you have found your answer.

You have also found another problem: Depending on her commitment to wanting to try this you will have to deal with filling cartos or using attys and carts and filling those. I do not believe there are any pre-filled or disposable options in the market that contain 100% VG.

Best wishes. I do hope she will try this "controlled" experiment and find something she can vape without problems.

 

[base234]

I started with VG juices and loved it. I wanted to try different flavors so I ordered some in mostly PG. Then the itching started. Mouth, throat, skin, scalp. I went back to VG and it cleared up within a week. Worth a try.

 

[otrpu]

Maybe it's just me. . .the higher %VG I use in my DIY eLiquid, the more my nose runs. Like a nasal drip. Less VG, less nasal drip, more PG, more nasal drip. And I mean from the first hit. Settled on 70 to 75%PG/30 to 25% VG. Also, the > the % of VG the faster my automobile windows accumulate an oily film on the inside. JMHO

Cheers,
otrpu

 

[aikid19]

Thanks all,

This sounds like it might well be the problem. She's going to try the Blu disposable at some point soon. But, I'll add a small bottle of high or 100% VG to my next juice order. She's never smoked as heavily as I did, but it would be great to clear the air between us!