way to see if you might be allergic to PV?

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anavidfan

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Dang, I just noticed I meant to type PG, not PV. SOrry. No way to edit the title? Oh well.
I keep seeing posts about people who have problems with Propolene Glycol(PV) and was wondering if anyone knows if there might be a way to see if one is sensitive before inhaling it? Maybe put it on a sensitive part of body, like your wrist? or neck, just a small bit to see if there is a reaction. I know they say to this with certain hair color products. Has anyone thought of this? A rashy arm or wrist would be better than my throat or mouth. As far as I can see it might be worth a try, better than having an extreme reaction like maybe going into anaphylactic shock. Im going to try some out on me when I get my kit.
 
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ShelleyF

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I can only use a 30 PG blend but am trying a suggestion soon on a 40 PG to see if I can handle it. I know a 50 PG 24 mg breaks me out with hives and red rash so that is too strong but I was told that if you lower the nicotine you might be able to handle a 50/50 but am scared to try that first so a 40 PG is what I am going to try with a lower nicotine. I want more flavor as the VG mutes the flavors and I want to get off the analogs so this is what I am going to do. I don't think that is a good idea to put it on your skin but I am no way an expert. I just hope someone answers you before you try to do this as I don't want you to get hurt. It could be perfectly ok but I am not sure.
 

Hoosier

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I've read a number of posts from folks discussing their reactions to PG vapor. Nowhere have I seen them say that toothpaste, frosting in a can, or lotions caused them distress. Since the three things I named contain PG, it would appear that inhaling it and contact/ingestion are completely different.

Common fog/smoke machines like those used in haunted houses and some stage productions use a fluid that is mostly PG. (Around 80% is what my rememberer is telling me.) If you've had adverse reactions from that fake fog/smoke, then that would seem to be a better indicator that inhaling PG vapor could be an issue.
 

anavidfan

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here is what I found on wikipedia : Propylene glycol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Like I thought it is used in many things as Hoosier stated. Its in many alcoholic products too.
VG vegetable glycerin/glycerol is in personal care products and food here is what wikipedia posted
Glycerol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Again, many ingredients are delivered into the body and absorbed differently. Maybe since we here inhale it, it goes more directly into the bloodstream via the lungs. If ingested goes thru digestive system and by the time it gets to small intestine and then to bloodstream it is diluted? Same with going thru skin as in skin product, it is evaporated before it get to make it into bloodstream. I will test it out on me later and let you know what happens Im pretty positive nothing will. As I use toothpaste, body lotion, deodorant etc.
 

Paulette

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Good find. It could also be another ingredient. I'm allergic to Ethyl Maltol aka Cotton Candy- had cankers break out in my mouth. Gave my sweetened watermelon to a friend and he LOVED it without issue.

That is very interesting as I've had cankers break out in my mouth for months now. I've found a way to lessen the amount of them and ways to get rid of them (short of 2 weeks), but couldn't figure out what caused them (other than pretty sure it was vaping). How in the heck did you determine it was the Ethyl Maltol? I vape a LOT of sweet flavors.
 

Vapoor eyes er

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I used the process of elimination and kept an accurate log. When I didn't use the sweetener cankers disappeared within 2 days. I would then begin vaping it again and within hours the cankers would appear. I mix for a bunch of people and some have the same issue BUT can tolerate lower levels of Ethyl Maltol. I can tolerate a very tiny amount but seeing as I'm allergic to it I don't vape it all all as I have other allergies and know all too well the consequences of ingesting allergic items.
There are alternatives but it's via DIY:
"You can make a sweetener using Splenda. A 2-3ml of distilled (hot) water to 3 packets. Add drops of water or more Splenda to achieve the desired thickness. You may have to reheat to get it to fully dissolve. I then add it to some VG mix well and store in a cool dark place with my other mixing supplies. Although I think any sweetener adds to the gunk on atties or in cartomizers, a little bit helps some juice blends."
"you can add Stevia Liquid which is natural herb"
"Sweet-Ez"
Also realize PG coats the mouth, throat and if you inhale/ exhale thru the nose the nasal area. I gargle daily with fresh squeezed lemon and water to rinse the coating away. I already use a sinus rinse because of nasal issues.


That is very interesting as I've had cankers break out in my mouth for months now. I've found a way to lessen the amount of them and ways to get rid of them (short of 2 weeks), but couldn't figure out what caused them (other than pretty sure it was vaping). How in the heck did you determine it was the Ethyl Maltol? I vape a LOT of sweet flavors.
 

DaveP

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If you go to an allergist, they bring in a tray or two of tiny vials with little plastic needle tips inserted in the fluid for each allergen. They create a matrix of dots on your inner forearms and use the plastic sharp tips to make a tiny scratch on each area. They record on a sheet what allergen was used on which spot. You wait for about 15 to 20 minutes and they come back and look for reactions. Redness or a mosquito bite swelling indicates sensitivity.

I guess you could do that for pg and vg with a drop on a needle. All you have to do is lightly break the skin with a drop of juice on the tip of the needle. Use a different clean needle for each test point. Look for redness or slight swelling after a period of time.

ETA: I'm not a doctor. I'm just relating what mine did in his testing routine.
 

Hoosier

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Actually, PG is absorbed by the skin. That is why a compounding pharmacy will have it on hand. They will mix medications with it so the medicine is absorbed along with the PG so it is used for folks who cannot take the meds by traditional means. PG is an alcohol and enters the bloodstream fairly easily. It is also filtered out quite easily.

Most folks that don't use PG juice have adverse reactions to the drying action. Only a small percentage is allergic but rashes and itching is the usual indicator. In the years I have been here I have only read one person stating that it caused system shock, but that person also could not be near car exhaust without suffering the same thing.
 

Paulette

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Wow Vapoor Eyes -- thanks again. I also DIY and I don't add any Ethyl Maltol to my mixes, but figured that some of the flavors I have might already have it in there.

I've been vaping about as long as you have. Going back and thinking about when I first started getting the sores -- it was when I started vaping more than just menthol or a mix of menthol and green apple.

Interesting tidbit about the PG -- I mix 80pg/20vg, so I think I'll give that a try; although I don't think it will help with the sores.

Thanks again!
 

Vapoor eyes er

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Hopefully it helped. Also some of your DIY flavors may contain sweeteners. Sometimes asking the vendor if there is sweetener in it may help. Yes I also vape menthol and LOVE it but have to be careful with the amounts otherwise I get dry/ sores lips inside and out.
Interesting tidbit about the PG -- I mix 80pg/20vg, so I think I'll give that a try; although I don't think it will help with the sores.
The PG is what carries flavor and TH, lung hit. Maybe it's irritating your mouth the the point of sores?? Yes I would try some lower PG juice.
Good Luck and have a great weekend.

Wow Vapoor Eyes -- thanks again. I also DIY and I don't add any Ethyl Maltol to my mixes, but figured that some of the flavors I have might already have it in there.

I've been vaping about as long as you have. Going back and thinking about when I first started getting the sores -- it was when I started vaping more than just menthol or a mix of menthol and green apple.

Interesting tidbit about the PG -- I mix 80pg/20vg, so I think I'll give that a try; although I don't think it will help with the sores.

Thanks again!
 

iznogood1

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PG ?.. Gives vapor.. but.. VG Gives a H.ll LOT more.. at least when we are waping.. So it should do as well in real life mashines ?
Just wondering an bit on this ?
Sincerly
Ole F
I've read a number of posts from folks discussing their reactions to PG vapor. Nowhere have I seen them say that toothpaste, frosting in a can, or lotions caused them distress. Since the three things I named contain PG, it would appear that inhaling it and contact/ingestion are completely different.

Common fog/smoke machines like those used in haunted houses and some stage productions use a fluid that is mostly PG. (Around 80% is what my rememberer is telling me.) If you've had adverse reactions from that fake fog/smoke, then that would seem to be a better indicator that inhaling PG vapor could be an issue.
 

Hoosier

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PG ?.. Gives vapor.. but.. VG Gives a H.ll LOT more.. at least when we are waping.. So it should do as well in real life mashines ?
Just wondering an bit on this ?
Sincerly
Ole F

Too much VG in a fog machine will clog it up. They are not fun to clean afterward. The gummy pumps aren't that bad, but the element housing is a pain. (I've been playing with fog machines for many years.)
 
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