Smokeless cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, have become known for being safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes. Most e-juices and smokeless devices have a nicotine strength comparable to tobacco, with fewer of the harmful chemicals usually associated with smoking.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that smokeless cigarettes have zero side effects. Vaping may be less harmful than smoking, but there are still some possibility that your body will react to the ingredients in e-cigarettes.
Not only can you still get a considerable dose of nicotine while enjoying your smokeless cigarette, but it’s also possible to experience an allergic reaction.
Smokeless Cigarettes and Allergies
Most allergic reactions associated with vaping come from an allergy to propylene glycol, a key ingredient in many e-juices. Though rare, it is also possible to be allergic to vegetable glycol, which is also sometimes found in smokeless cigarettes. People can develop allergies to an e-juice at any time, but it is more common after prolonged exposure.
Some of the symptoms of an e-juice allergy include a sore throat, headaches, nausea, and sinus issues. In some extreme cases, people may experience hives throughout the body and numbness in the face and tongue. These symptoms should go away after you discontinue vaping.
Many people who experience allergic reactions also find that switching to a different e-juice helps relieve symptoms. Since propylene glycol is usually the reason for a reaction, many vapers use juice that has vegetable glycol as the active ingredient instead.
Allergies vs. Cessation Systems
Since so many people who use smokeless cigarettes do so to help reduce or quit their smoking habit, they may also be experiencing nicotine withdrawal. The symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are similar to a smokeless cigarette allergy and can include:
- Mouth ulcers
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Increase in sputum and phlegm
- Skin blemishes sometimes known as “quit zits”
The symptoms of nicotine withdrawal can begin as soon as two to three hours after your last cigarette, but they usually disappear within a few weeks.
Determining whether you’re experiencing smoking cessation symptoms or an e-juice allergy is sometimes as simple as monitoring your symptoms. If the worst of your symptoms go away within a few weeks while you’re still vaping regularly, your problem was due to quitting smoking. If you find that they’re getting worse, you may have an allergy.
Putting down your smokeless cigarette or switching to a new e-juice with different ingredients may be for the best, but you should always be prepared to seek medical attention if your symptoms are particularly severe. As always, your doctor will be able to make the best call regarding your health.