Can Allergy Season Affect Your Vaping Experience?

Vaping is a pleasant experience that is more enjoyable than using tobacco products, but when you have seasonal allergies, you may find everything far less enjoyable. With a few self-care techniques and tips, you usually don't need to stop vaping to control seasonal allergy symptoms.

Seasonal Allergies versus Vaping Allergies

If you are diagnosed with seasonal allergies, you may have sensitivities to other substances. Most e-liquids contain Propylene Glycol (PG), a non-toxic substance that is also used in cosmetics and other products, as a base ingredient. Most people can safely use Propylene Glycol.

A few people are sensitive to PG and experience allergy-like symptoms when using e-liquid that contains PG. The signs of PG allergy includes hives, headache, itching and acne outbreaks. One of the most recognizable signs of PG sensitivity is tiny bumps around your mouth that sting when you use PG-based e-liquid. Switch to an e-liquid made with Vegetable Glycerin if you suspect PG is related to your symptoms.

Managing Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies begin at about the same time each year, and are characterized by symptoms like watery eyes, nasal congestion, coughing, and nasal drainage. Seasonal allergies usually appear even when you don't vape. The symptoms are controlled with prescription or over-the-counter medicines, or your doctor may recommend a combination of both types of medicine.

Antihistamines like Diphenhydramine and Loratadine are the most common types of medicines used to treat seasonal allergies. Other ways to control seasonal allergy symptoms include using saline nose spray to relieve nasal congestion, or using over-the-counter pain relievers for symptoms like headache. As with all medicines, talk to your doctor about ways to control your seasonal allergies before using any prescription or over-the-counter medicine.

You can take different kinds of over-the-counter medicines while you are vaping, as you’ll just have to simply monitor closely your vaping sessions.

Comfortably Vaping with Seasonal Allergies

To make vaping more comfortable, drink plenty of water to soothe dry throat and prevent respiratory congestion, and use a MOD with temp control settings and effective airflow. For instance, using your vape on low power produces cooler, mistier vapor, and opening the airflow can help reduce throat irritation.

Sometimes, the e-liquid that you vape with can cause symptoms like dry throat to worsen. Switch to an e-juice perhaps that’s lower in nicotine to reduce throat irritation, and avoid vaping indoors.

Cutting Back

Vaping can occasionally worsen allergy symptoms, although most people experience reduced allergy symptoms after switching from tobacco products. If your symptoms worsen or don't resolve with the treatments recommended by your doctor, stop vaping for a short time to allow your symptoms time to resolve.

Usually, you don't need to stop vaping because of seasonal allergies. Self-care, such as drinking more water, and your regular allergy medicines can provide the relief you need to enjoy vaping outdoors in the warm spring weather.

However you will want to consult with your doctor for any recommendations in regards to vaping and allergies.