Propylene Glycol Allergy Advice

Propylene glycol (PG) is a synthetic alcohol and one of the most common and useful additives in food, cosmetics and medicine. As you are likely already aware, e-liquid bases feature a blend of PG and vegetable glycerine (VG).

As it is found in a wide variety of products, from moisturisers, soaps and medicines, to snacks, foods and drinks, it is likely that you are exposed to PG every day. So if you have any kind of PG intolerance, you are probably already aware of this.

However, if you think you have discovered a PG allergy or sensitivity through vaping or if you would like to know what you should do when you switch to vaping, you are in the right place.

Why use propylene glycol?

You might be wondering why PG is an ingredient in so many products. Here's why:

• PG is an odourless, faintly sweet liquid that can be added to almost any consumable product without greatly altering its flavour.
• PG attracts and absorbs moisture and can help to prevent substances from drying out.
• PG is an emulsifier which means it enables ingredients to blend efficiently and prevents separation..
• PG is a solvent that can be used to create liquids from solids such as herbs.
• PG is an excellent carrier of flavour.

Propylene glycol is not toxic and is safe to consume, but some people are allergic or sensitive to PG.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not health advice. Always ask your GP for advice about how to handle your allergies or to confirm the presence of an allergy. If you think that you are having a severe allergic reaction, call NHS on 111 for help.

How do you identify a possible PG allergy or sensitivity?

Most of the available medical literature suggests that a PG allergy will most often manifest itself as a rash on the skin. If you see redness or develop bumps around your mouth when vaping, that’s a cause for concern.

Some vapers suffer from other symptoms including nausea, coughing, throat irritation, dryness, itchiness, numbness, headaches and sinus issues. These disappear upon switching to an e-liquid that contains no PG.

If you began experiencing any of the above symptoms when you started vaping, it is possible that you have a sensitivity or allergy to PG.

It is important to note that an intolerance to a substance can also build up over time. It is possible to develop a sensitivity to PG after several months of vaping.

If you think that you might have developed an allergy to PG, you should speak with your doctor about getting the necessary tests to confirm the problem.

How do you identify issues unrelated to PG?

Alternative causes of symptoms are possible.

Quit Zits

Smoking is very bad for the skin. Since smoking constricts the blood vessels and impedes the skin’s ability to moisturise itself or heal damage, you’d naturally assume that quitting smoking would be a great thing for your face. It is in the long run but breakouts in the initial weeks or months after quitting are relatively common.

Yes; “quit zits” are real. If you keep your body hydrated and take care of your skin, the condition will resolve over time.

Quitter’s Flu

When you switch to vaping, your body needs time to adjust to the lower nicotine intake and to detoxify. Cigarette smoke contains chemicals that you’re no longer ingesting. During this time, you’re probably not going to feel completely yourself. You may feel generally a little unwell.

Some of the symptoms of “quitter’s flu” include headache, irritability, sleeplessness, dizziness and sore throat. You can usually expect those symptoms to disappear within a few days.

Coughing

Coughing, often with mucus, is a common side-effect of quitting smoking. That’s because tobacco smoke impedes the normal process of mucus removal from the lungs. When you stop smoking, the lungs resume that process and there’s plenty of extra mucus to clear out.

Throat Irritation

Throat irritation is a symptom of an allergy or sensitivity to PG. However, there are also several other reasons why vaping might cause such discomfort. You should troubleshoot these before you assume that you have a PG allergy.

Here are three reasons why you might experience throat irritation when vaping:

• The nicotine strength of your e-liquid is too high. This is likely to be the case if vaping also makes you feel jittery.
• Your tank or pod is empty. If you forget to refill your e-cigarette, you could experience a “dry hit” that’s severely irritating to the throat.
• It’s time to replace your pod or atomizer coil. After you’ve used a pod or coil for a while, a residue called “coil gunk” may begin to collect on its heating surface. The residue builds up particularly quickly if you use e-liquid that’s sweetened with sucralose. A heavy layer of coil residue causes the coil to produce a burned taste that will irritate your throat.
• You are sensitive to menthol. Some vapes find that e-liquid containing menthol cause irritation.

Can you vape if you are allergic to PG?

People who feel that they are allergic to or sensitive to propylene glycol sometimes report that they’re able to eliminate their symptoms simply by minimising their exposure to PG. Others find that they’re only able to eliminate their symptoms by consuming no PG whatsoever.

When you shop for e-liquid at Vapekit, our PG/VG ratio filter ensures that it easy to narrow your selection to e-liquids that are low in PG.

To be absolutely certain that a vape juice contains no PG at all, either in the e-liquid base or the flavouring, you should always check with the manufacturer before buying it.