Allergies? PV or VG?

[Decidion]

I've noticed that over the last few months, basically since I have been vaping, that I have been sneezing a LOT. Much more than normal and I seem to be especially sensitive to dust from the granulated garlic in our restaurant. I have never had any sort of allergies in the past and all of this seems to be too much of a coincidence. The garlic dust has caused me to sneeze occasionally in the past, but nothing like I have been experiencing lately, so I don't think it is the culprit (at least not primary culprit).

So I am thinking I may be allergic to either the PV or VG I have been vaping, but I am unsure how to test whether it is one or the other.

I have always ordered juice in the typically recommended "house blend" (for the places I have ordered) of 20VG/80PG.

Any ideas on how I can test whether I am allergic to one or the other? Can I just get a bottle of each and taste them? Apply it to my skin?

Thanks

 

[Mudflap]

You could order two small bottles of nic for future DIY projects. One would be 100% VG, the other would be 100% PG. Get a nic strength you're already used to vaping. Drip one into an atty for a few puffs and see how your body reacts, and then try the other a few hours later. If you're sensitive to one over the other, that should tell the tale.

 

[Decidion]

Thanks Mud, good idea.

Any recommendations on someplace I can buy a small bottle of 24-36mg nic in 100% PV and 100% VG? The place I buy from only sells the unflavored stuff in 236ml bottles. I don't know the smallest amount I could buy, but I would think I only need a couple of ml to test this.

 

[Andy Thatcher]

ECBlenders sell 5ml of flavourless juice in both types for $2.50 a pop.

 

[Dee74]

I became allergic to pg, but with redness and itching to my arms and behind knees, red around mouth and nose 6 months after starting vaping. You can develop allergies at any time and the more you are around something the more likely you can become allergic. I think the garlic dust may be more of an issue, try wearing a mask when working with it and see if it improves. Vg is less of an issue than pg for most folks. Of course this is the worst allergy season in years, could just be seasonal weeds and grasses.

 

[nerak]

The skin test would not hurt to do. I have lots of allergies. I can't do PG at all. Didn't know till I tried some and started itching and swelling.

Your sneezing could just be from your new ability to taste and smell after quitting smoking. You just might be more sensitive to odors and particles in the air.

One other thing to consider though, is the flavors you use. If you have had reactions to things like that in the past.

 

[Decidion]

Thanks for all the input.

I talked to my current juice vendor and he is going to take care of me with a couple of test bottles.

I guess it could be the flavoring, but I have tried a couple of dozen different flavors, from fruits to vanillas and caramels to tobacco and had the same result. So unless each flavoring has a common ingredient, I would rule that out.

 

[Andy Thatcher]

I have a slight PG intolerance.

If a juice is more than 70% PG and I vape it all day I get a sore throat. I have tested this with a number of juices from different vendors and the song remains the same.

Oddly 65% I am fine, which is a relief as I normally have something from NLV with me. The way I deal with it is to have a couple of options with me including a 100% VG and swap. Doing that I don't have any issues.

 

[bushmaster]

Sorry to hear about your affliction, Decidion. I too get stuffed up and sneezy more than I should, but I attribute it to the dusty, musty ventilation system in my skidder. I've been fine the last few weeks since I've been laid-off. I may simply be allergic to work. I think that would be a tough sell to Labor and Industries though.
Seriously, I hope you find the cause and remedy. I'll be watching for any updates.
Roger

 

[TennDave]

I think I have/had a PG intolerance too- but most noticeable was when I was coming off the cigs and was on a VAPE-FEST.... just vaped too much anyways (my cheeks and gums hurt)...and I started itching all over. Lately, as I've settled into a pretty good routine w/ about 5ml of 18mg juice a day, I'm not as sensitive and am adding some PG blends without any issue.

 

[SammyT]

hmmm, doesn't sound like what most people describe as their reactions to PG/VG. usually it is sores in the mouth and or throat irritation/swelling. If you keep sneezing while doing both experiments, It's probably just spring time allergies. I never used to have allergies when I was a kid, but now I do.

 

[Decidion]

Well I got my 100% VG and 100% PG samples in today and tried them right away. In both samples I used the same flavoring, which I mixed in at 20% strength.

The VG I tried first and man it was harsh. My nose started running and within minutes I had a headache. I couldn't even inhale it all the way into my lungs.

The PG was very smooth and no runny nose or anything. However, it was so smooth I could hardly even tell I was getting anything and there was almost no vapor whatsoever.

Based on that experience, I think I must be allergic to the VG, as it really get my sinuses going and produced the headache. It was so harsh, I couldn't even taste any flavoring.

Anyway, I still think 100% PG isn't going to work, so maybe I'll just go with 90PG/10VG after I get through all my 80PG/20VG juice.

Thanks