So upset! I think I have to stop vaping.

[Tracy68]

Shannon, I too am constantly amazed at how often you go to see the doctor and they "don't know". I've given up on the idea that the medical profession somehow has all the magic answers because in my experience so often they just don't!
Do we even have poison ivy in Australia? I'm not even sure about that. Don't think we do.

Thanks Mohawkx. I'm thinking that if for whatever reason if vaping doesn't work out for me (but I am praying that it will) that snus might just be something I will try. I'd actually never heard of it before coming to ECF. It's that whole hand to mouth action and 'seeing the clouds of vapour" thing that I've realised I really am so hooked on though and what's made it so easy to give up the analogues.
I'm giving myself a week or so of going back to smoking to hopefully clear up these symptoms. Wish I could just go cold turkey but at only four weeks in and my first and only ever attempt at stopping smoking...well, I just can't manage that

 

[Wolfstar]

Mustang Sally....I know what you're saying. None of us want to believe that vaping could give us problems but in my heart of hearts I feel it must be "something" to do with vaping. I did think it was odd that it took three and a half weeks for things to go awry but the second doc I saw said this "can" happen with allergies - they can build up to a point where you become intolerant?
I hope I'm completely wrong and that really it's nothing at all to do with vaping (Please don't anyone get discouraged - I'm TOTALLY for vaping!) but seeing that there could be no other obvious cause - no - no yard work, no change of washing powder.... nothing out of the ordinary, I have to be logical and assume that it must be due to vaping.

I've not read anywhere that giving up smoking itself causes allergic reactions?
This isn't acne....it's very definitely a rash and it looks very much like eczema to me. My son sometimes gets it on his face.

Tracy68, I read here that it is similar to the eczema your son gets...is there a trigger that brings this on for him that you know of? I mean, you ARE related and share DNA...just a thought.

Also, I have a friend that whenever she goes through extreme stress (like her husband having a virus in his heart, which was basically destroying the heart muscle) she broke out in a fine covering of small red bumps like you described. Hers itch and burn, and so widespread on her upper torso and part of her face and arm that they used a UV treatment for a while that actually relieved the burning and itching within three treatments, and eventually it went away completely. She had to go to a type of therapy place and stand in a "light box" for a few minutes several times a week for a few weeks. Of course, we live in Oregon where the sun can be frugal with it's glory a good part of the year, and maybe the doctor thought it was more of a fungus than eczema! BUT, it worked and her eczema cleared up. (And her husband is doing better now too). But everyone has different stress "triggers" and different reactions to them. And you never know when some chemical process changes in your body and suddenly you have issues you've never heard of before, like suddenly being allergic to something you never had an issue with before. I don't know, but I sure wish you good luck, and a speedy recovery!!

 

[RockAction!]

Just keep asking questions in this forum. As far as I can tell these people know what they're talking about. Hope you figure it out and keep us posted.

 

[keyzygirl]

You could try PG,I had a reaction to VG,a rash and itching and burning on my neck and back.Im fine with PG.Just an idea.

 

[Katmandu]

Tracy68 I can surely relate to the panic on going to back to smoking. 8-o

How long have you been using the strawberry flavor? Reason I ask is I just finished testing out a few different strawberry flavors and guess what? I'm allergic to all of them. Red skin - the whole nine yards.

You do need to give your body time to rid itself of whatever it is that is causing this though.

If you go back to analogs until it clears up - well you have to - but when you start vaping again maybe just start with unflavored first and then try one flavor for a couple of days and then the next until you see which one you react to.

 

[Clutter]

Tracey, you may have lost your taste for analogs already.
I mislaid spare atties a while back and it was vile smoking analogs until the replacements were delivered.
Until you sort out your skin allergy, keep your cleansing routine simple and gentle, so as not to exacerbate it.

 

[Tracy68]

Wolfstar - No, have never been able to source the reason for my sons eczema. It's never been a regular thing for him and since my father is allergic to everything under the sun and gets hayfever and eczema all the time I just presumed my son has inherited his sensitivities to a point. In fact I've always been surprised that *I* have never before experienced any allergies. Kind of stinks if this is indeed my first allergy.
But the thought has also crossed my mind..."What IF the whole shock of giving up smoking could trigger sensitivities that up until now have lay dormant?" I just dont know.
It makes sense to me that I am undergoing a WHOLE lot of stress at the moment through this huge lifestyle change and although for the most part I have been elated at taking up vaping and quitting the smokes.....well it's still stressful as any major change is.
I really don't know, but I still need to rule vaping out as a starting point.

 

[Tracy68]

Katmandu - Thanks...yes, you never know it could very well have been the strawberry. I pretty much started with that flavour but it could be that I developed an intolerance to it after a few weeks?
When I have had a sufficient break and start vaping again I will be sure to thoroughly rule that flavour out as a possible irritant.

Clutter, unfortunately I have to admit that I've just smoked my first cigarette today and I am disgusted in myself because it really DIDN'T taste as terrible as I hoped it would.
I've heard so many people say that going back to smoking tastes gross but really all I could taste was the menthol.
I must say I really don't like the feel of smoke in my lungs though. It just "feels" toxic (as it is)

 

[Eli Huffman]

wow....im really sorry you're going through this!!

 

[Wolfstar]

I think I would probably start there as well. I know that I've been vaping off and on for a few months now, too much stress to really put the analogs down all the way...but today my husband and I made the "Pact" to finally quit and just vape. I'm all set with lots of juice and batteries galore, as well as some snus for really bad cravings. And we smoked our last analogs today that we had. Ready, set...but wait! I'm happily vaping away, and then BAM!!! Heart racing, breath short...kinda dizzy and anxious. That has been happening all day long every time I realize that I STOPPED SMOKING TODAY!! So yeah, it's just a little stressful, this quitting thing. Hang in there Tracy68, I just know it will all be ok, and you'll be right as rain in no time. And vaping to your heart's content, no doubt! Good luck and keep us up on how you're doing...I know we all care about what's happening there with you.

 

[AnaCat]

It's not hives, it's an overall very fine rash - barely visible but I can feel it with my fingers and if I were to apply foundation you would see the roughness of it. It's the overall burning feeling all over my entire face that is so painful. My scalp too feels sensitive and prickly.

I had a reaction exactly like this when I tried a gas station disposable menthol e-cig (cigalectric brand). I was mortified, as it was the day I graduated from university, and I knew there would be pictures taken. That morning I looked like I had a horrible sunburn, but later, for a week it felt the way you described. I couldn't wear makeup, either. It felt horrible. I think I know exactly what you're going through, and my heart goes out to you.

I can't help but wonder if it's a reaction to some juice? Once I ditched that cheapo e-cig and got a real PV and good juice, I've never had that happen again. I think that all juices are not created equal. Is that mango juice from a different supplier than your normal juices? I'd bet that might be the problem. If you're having the same problem I did, it's something in the mango juice. If you stop using the offending juice, it should go away in about a week. Just use the juices you know won't hurt you. Good luck!

 

[Tracy68]

Thanks Eli. Me too. I thought I was all set.

Wolfstar....ahh,I know how scary it feels to actually take the big plunge and "quit". Don't be afraid though. Vaping is now your new best friend and it will always be there for you! As I've heard other people say, try not to overly THINK about it....Just tell yourself it's a new brand of cigarettes - that helped me, but I must admit I WAS still obsessing over it all.
Good luck to you and hubby. You'll be fine I'm sure!
And thanks for the well wishes. I certainly will keep coming back and giving updates. I don't want anyone reading this getting all paranoid when it may NOT be vaping related after all.

 

[Tracy68]

Interesting AnaCat. Does make you wonder doesn't it. You're the first person that I've read about that's had a very similar reaction.
Did you get a headache as well with the rash?

I'm pretty sure the mango juice was from the same supplier yes. (I'll check with hubby though)

 

[MASTER0FDAMPF]

I know this will sound sort of off - but it is pepper season! Any chance you hae been cutting/cooking with peppers? Serano's and especially habanero's can do this by the oil left on your hands...and once the spot itches you are moving it around when you rub/scratch. I wear nitrite gloves when I cut peppers (I am telling you that you better if you ever cut mombassa or ghost peppers. It takes week to get the oil off your hands!). Also, did hubby change any cosmetics/toiletries either? It may not be you. I had a friend that had a similar issue with an air neutralizer allergy, just another avenue to look down. Sounds like it could be fungal as well...try petroleum jelly (vaseline) on part of your face where the rash is for a couple of days and see if that spot clears up. The vaseline will stop direct contact from just about any external irritant. Just a dot in one spot a couple times a day. Good luck

 

[Pink Floyd]

The most obvious thing here: dehydration!!!!

You need to drink lots of water for the next few days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you hear me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've read these symptoms a 1000 times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vaping will dehydrate you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I totally agree with this one. I have a rash to, but only around my neck. Came around after I started taking a certain medicine that dehydrates me, and got 100 times worse when I started vaping. I take blood pressure medicine. Cant remember the name but it has "HTC" after it. 2 meds. in one.
The HTC part makes me urinate more, meaning less water in me. That along with vaping totally dehydrates me. Next time I can afford to see my doctor routinely, I'm going to see if I can get off the HTC part of the pill and see what happens.

The "rash" was very light when I started vaping, and now since on the pills, has got pretty dark red like. Its embarrassing, but my shirts cover it up for the most part.

But like Almighty God said....start flooding yourself with water, and see if there is any change.

Also....when you blow dry your hair (if you do) does the heat of the dryer, really really burn/hurt where the rash is? (a sign of dehydration) Just curious.

Good luck with whatever you try.

John

 

[Tracy68]

MASTER0FDAMPF , no no pepper chopping here lately. But I do have to wonder if somehow I was getting a bit of nic juice on my fingers touching the e-cig. Not likely because I'm sure I'd have felt it on my lips if it were leaking or something but twice I DID feel a numb sort of feeling in two different spots around my mouth - very temporary but none the less I'm sure I didn't imagine it.
No change to hubby's toiletries either. Thanks for trying to solve the mystery but it may very well end up that - a very frustrating impossible to solve mystery.

Sorry to hear about your rash John - hope you get to the bottom of it.
I'm sure dehydration is a factor for me . It's winter here, the air conditioner is on for heating....vaping CERTAINLY dehydrates you but I suspect thats not the only thing going on with me. Really does feel like a reaction rather than a dry skin rash. The swelling under my eyes preceded the rash.

It will be interesting to see how I feel by the end of today....see if there's any change.
I am HATING the analogues. If I felt "dirty" smoking them before now it's threefold. I just want to go back to vaping asap!
Just gotta be patient though.

 

[skydragon]

Instead of going back to cigarettes, maybe if you bought some SNUS pillows to aleviate your nic cravings while you determine what is causing your reaction. At least you won't be putting the poisons back in your lungs. SNUS does work as an effective nicotine delivery system at least for you it could be a short term fix. I feel so bad for you. I hope you get this figured out soon.

I was thinking about this as well. Here is a link if you want or need to ask any questions. They are all very helpful.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-lip-your-nose-right-now-569.html#post3136563

 

[garyinco]

I agree with the earlier post about seeing a dermatologist. I had the same symptoms as you. I didn't know what was going on. My regular physician didn't have a clue. Then I went to a dermatologist for the first time in my life. He had a suspicion, but scraped my skin a little with a scalpel, ran off to peek in his microscope, and came back confirming his hunch. I had a fungal yeast infection of the skin.

What the .... I'm a guy with a yeast infection!!! That's not supposed to happen. But that's what it was. He said he has seen a ton of it this year. He gave me an Rx for some cream, shampoo, and the same pills women take for that other kind of yeast infection. You know, the "you just take one pill and you're done" kind. But I had to take one per day for thirty days.

The rashes went away. So did the itchiness. And the red face - my face had turned this reddish color like I had fallen asleep in a tanning salon. The cream got rid rid of the redness in less than two days. Darnedest thing I'd ever seen.

Who knows what is causing yours. A dermatologist is your best bet.

A fricken' yeast infection. My friends still give me a hard time about it.

 

[Tracy68]

Thanks Skydragon. I will do some reading about the snuff.

Gary, you made me laugh. Yep, it's not just women who get yeast infections I've heard of yeast infections in the mouth, under the fingernails and in infants diaper rash but never on the face I must admit.
Did your rash itch?
Mine strangely enough isn't itchy....well, a little bit but I think that's just because it's so dry but I wouldn't call this an "itchy" rash.
Some food for thought anyway and I'll keep it in mind if it doesn't go away. Thanks!

 

[garyinco]

Thanks Skydragon. I will do some reading about the snuff.

Gary, you made me laugh. Yep, it's not just women who get yeast infections I've heard of yeast infections in the mouth, under the fingernails and in infants diaper rash but never on the face I must admit.
Did your rash itch?
Mine strangely enough isn't itchy....well, a little bit but I think that's just because it's so dry but I wouldn't call this an "itchy" rash.
Some food for thought anyway and I'll keep it in mind if it doesn't go away. Thanks!

Yes, it was itchy at times. Kinda like when you get a sunburn. Little itchy spots, that felt like needle pokes. If you have had sunburns you'll know what I'm talking about. The red rash on my face started subtly, I didn't notice it, others did. Friends and co-corkers thought I was either stressed, had drank too much, or had a sunburn. When I started noticing it I thought it was sunburn. There was a distinct line between the rash area (my face) and the rest of my head/neck.

The itchiness was mostly on my back. In little spots, after awhile, I could feel little rough areas, almost scaly for lack of a better term. I looked up psoriasis, my symptoms kinda matched. So I bought some cream supposedly good for that - has coal tar oil or something. Didn't help but I was seriously greased up. The stuff never soaks in. I smelled like creosote, you know like a telephone pole.

The dermatologist said the cream was about the worst thing I could have done. In fact, about everything I was doing was wrong. I normally have really dry skin and I don't like using lotions, so this snuck up on me.

Which reminds me - I need to take my last Fluconazole tablet - "The easy ORAL cure for most vaginal yeast infections".

Sigh...