The most common complaint from first time e-cigarette users is having a sore throat. Yes, indeed, it is very common for this to happen when you first start using electronic smokeless cigarettes and is usually nothing to worry about. It can also happen when switching flavor or nicotine strength. Sore throats are common with cigarette smoking and are said to be worse than vaping, however you want to completely avoid irritation as much as possible.
It is sometimes inevitable for new users to suffer from a sore or irritated throat passage. In fact, a common cause is actually attributed to having stopped smoking. Switching to e-cigs at the same time does increase the risk as well. So, why do e-cigs cause these symptoms in some users? Well, there is more than one possibility.
Vegetable Glycerine or Propylene Glycol
If it isn’t your first couple of weeks using electronic cigarettes, there’s a few thing to look for as probable causes for your throat soreness. The first is usually attributed to the e-liquid base type between VG (vegetable glycerin) or PG (propylene glycol). It is possible to be allergic to PG, as we have covered previously, however it only affects a very small percentage of the population. Nonetheless, VG is regarded as being safer and softer on the throat, being that it is a natural plant derivative. Lots of speculations have been made around the use of propylene glycol, and although rated safe for human consumption, it is usually used to give a stronger throat hit when vaping and generally preferred by heavy smokers. Switching to a VG-only based e-liquid may be the answer to your problems.
Nicotine Concentration
The second probable cause is nicotine strength. The concentration used will not only affect the taste of your vape, but can also be felt in terms of harshness on the throat hit. The higher the concentration, the harder the hit. Nicotine levels are something each user has to get accustomed to and develop their own right balance. At first, users may want to try mixing lower concentration cartridges with stronger ones for the when the cravings are high. The delivery of the nicotine is much different and slower when compared tobacco smoking, and for that reason, it is not always an easy transition.
Vaping Too Much
As we just mentioned, due to the nicotine delivery taking longer with e-cigarette usage, many users also make the mistake to vape at too high a frequency. You can certainly overdo it by constantly vaping. Not only do you risk a sore throat, you also risk getting symptoms related to having too much nicotine in your bloodstream. There is no benefit in constantly puffing on your e-cig or vaporizer and cutting back on your vaping frequency can help avoid or reduce sore throats.
High Powered Vaporizers
Finally, the last probably cause would be the type of device you are using. We are big fans of electronic cigarettes over personal vaporizers. Simply switching to a higher powered device may take some getting used to. The higher vapor amount may need to be fine-tuned at the right temperature and used less frequently.
Recent studies have discovered that high powered devices may be producing formaldehyde and acetaldehyde hundreds of times higher than regular e-cigs. Devices like e-cigs operating at or around 3.6V have been deemed safe in terms of what elements are found in the vapor. Users modifying mechanical vaporizers in order to reduce resistance and up vapor amount not only risk sore throats, they may be reducing the benefits of switching from smoking to vaping altogether. It is not to say that all personal vaporizers are bad, but modifying them may be very much a bad idea and sticking to lower powered devices undeniably reduces the risk of vaping while reaping the benefits of the smoke-free alternative.
How to Care for and Avoid a Sore Throat
If you already have a sore throat, the best thing to do is immediately cut down on vaping as much as possible and go over the possible causes. But additionally to that, drinking water supplemented by some acidic juice, such as lemon juice will quickly help soothe and heal away the soreness. Rising your mouth and throat with salt water can also work wonders, cleaning away the bacteria. If it pops up out of the blue, go ahead and verify the e-liquids you have been using, along with nicotine strength and trying keep track of how much vaping you do. If you recently changed to a higher powered device, try to switch back to regular e-cigs for a week and see how it goes.
It is not a reason to be afraid of e-cigs and never forget that all users have to slowly find their balanced strength of nicotine and usage. It takes a little bit of time and can change over the course of a few weeks to months. Sticking to the best e-cig brands and top reputable e-liquid makers also goes a long way. Avoid taking unnecessary risks with shady cheap e-cig products and buy directly online from the top makers. Take your time and focus on your adjustment period for an easy transition. Also keep in mind that if you just quit smoking, it is most likely the main cause in the first place.