Vaping can definitely give you a sore throat if you're using it too much or in the wrong way. Although most people know how much nicotine they're getting through trial and error, many vapers start off with vape flavors at higher nicotine levels. This can cause a problem once you get used to the nicotine and start taking more puffs in a shorter period. Concurrently, people are also using vapes because they enjoy the taste or experience regardless of whether they were former tobacco smokers.
One of the downsides of vaping is the sore throat that often accompanies using vapes. Some people commonly view this as “the cost of doing business”; they see it as something they cannot fix, so they accept it. However, there are methods and ways of easing or preventing sore throats. Once you understand why you get a sore throat in the first place, you can avoid it.
Below we will look at why vapes give you a sore throat and how to prevent it.
Why Do Vapes Give You a Sore Throat?
The first step to stopping the sore throat associated with vaping is first to understand how it comes about in the first place. Here are some common reasons why vaping leads to sore throats.
Heat Sensitivity
When you are using a vape, you are essentially inhaling vapor. While to a lesser extent than the vapor you would see from a tea kettle, the vapor you inhale is still of a higher temperature. The throat is a sensitive part of the body, vulnerable to external changes. This exposure to heat causes damage to the mucous membrane in not only the throat but the mouth, which, in turn, causes a sore throat.
Vapor Quality
Not all vapes are created equal, so you must take the time to do the necessary research. Some vape brands have poor quality thanks to their coil, which creates a poor vapor cloud with a bad taste, odor, or both. These vape clouds then get into your nose as it's normal to inhale some of the vapor through your nose and harm your nasal passages resulting in a sore throat.
Too Much PG
Inside the e-juices used in vape pens is Propylene glycol (PG), a substance used to navigate nicotine to the lungs. It helps to provide that throat sensation that many former tobacco smokers are used to and looking to keep.
However, in the process, the throat is sensitive, and PG does irritate the mucous membrane. If this substance gets inhaled for a long time, it will continue to irritate the mucous membrane, leading to coughing and a sore throat.
Too Many Dry Hits
When there is not enough e-liquid inside of an atomizer, it cannot produce vapor, and this lack of vapor can lead to what is called a “dry hit.” Essentially a dry hit is trying to inhale from your vape but you're heating more of the coil than the juice. Not only will this taste bad but you will feel the heat. Without the vapors, you get a heated puff with no e-liquid, which your throat will not appreciate.
Tobacco Withdrawal
As we mentioned in the intro, some people are switching to vaping to get off of cigarettes, but just as getting off of alcohol is not easy, so is getting off of tobacco.
Overall using vapes will help reduce your craving and lower the intensity of your withdrawal symptoms. The issues come into play when you have too much nicotine in the e-liquid. This overconsumption of nicotine is where side effects, such as sore throat, will arise.
Now that we have looked at what causes the sore throat, let's take some preventative measures to avoid the sore throat or burning in general from vapes. Use this guide to make sure you don't get a throat ache from vaping.
Change to a lower-strength e-liquid
As the final reason for sore throats mentioned, having higher nicotine levels in your e-liquid leads to sore throats. That is why it would be advisable to switch to lower-strengthened e-liquid like freebase eJuice.
On the market, various vapes are available to the public, some stronger than others. Whatever level you are currently on that is causing a sore throat, try going lower and keep going lower in potency until you reach a level where you no longer have a sore throat.
Change your e-liquid to a different PG/VG ratio
Sometimes alleviating a side effect of a product is as simple as just switching to a different type of product. Inside e-liquid are both PG and VG. The purpose of VG is to determine the amount and density of the vapor, and PG provides the sensation most people who use tobacco are trying to retain.
But as we understand, PG can lead to a sore or burning throat, so something you can do to prevent that is to find a vape with a higher VG level and a lower PG level. The less PG, the less burning sensation, and the more VG mean a smoother hit, so you may not see any noticeable changes in your vaping experience, but you will feel better.
Pay attention to your vape frequency
Using anything in moderation is often the key to preventing further issues. Vaping is inhaling vapor inside of your throat, and vapor is particularly hot. Even if the vapor is not a problem initially, constant use can lead to issues.
Also, many people are prone to use a vape constantly without much thought, so paying attention to how often you vape is essential. Each person is different, so try to find that frequency that allows you to enjoy the benefits of the vape without suffering from the consequence.
Change your vaping style
If you are a beginner, you may not be aware that there are two different ways of vaping, MTL (Mouth to lung) and DTL(direct-to-lung). Essentially, MTL is like smoking a cigarette when you put the vapor in your mouth and inhale it into your lungs. The DTL skips the first step and sends the vapor directly into your lungs. If you are using the MTL style of smoking or vice versa and experiencing a sore throat, switching to a different style might be beneficial to see if that will fix the issues.
Drink More Water
The best way to counteract something hot is to replace it with something cool—drinking plenty of water while vaping could be the difference between whether you have an enjoyable vape session or not. The water also helps to prevent dryness which is also a factor in causing a sore throat when vaping. Staying hydrated is very important when it comes to vaping.
Another great way to remain hydrated while vaping is to use water based H2O nicotine. The main difference between water based vapes and regular vape juice is that H2O nicotine often hydrates you more. The PG in eLiquids can dehydrate you so be sure to try these out.
Change to a different flavor of e-liquid
When it comes to the actual vape, it may not be enough to get a vape with a different PG/VG; it may be the flavor doing the most damage. All flavors are not favorable to all people; some may have allergic reactions to the flavors, or some flavors, in general, simply irritate the throats. So switching up the flavor may be your best way to prevent a sore throat.
Change your type of coils
Coils of a vape are usually made from different materials. Although these don't pose a threat, some people may be allergic to certain materials. This allergic reaction could be the main culprit for your sore throat, so looking on the market for a nickel-free coil or just a coil with lower nickel concentrations could be the winning solution.
Make sure you aren't getting dry hits
Dry hits do not have to be the norm when sucking on a vape pen. By paying attention to the tank and ensuring it is always full of juice, the coil does not get run dry. Using a higher VG e-liquid could prevent this. Since VG is thicker, it coats the coil with juice longer. This prevention of dry hits alleviates one of the top reasons for sore throats.
Conclusion
People looking to wean themselves off cigarettes are switching to vapes. It provides them the same relief and mental ease as cigarettes, so as people become more aware of cigarette-associated issues, more are trying to get off them. The issue for a long time was they had no alternative, but thanks to vapes, they now have this alternative.
