Vaping caused allergy / asthma attack

Hi all. I'm desperate to find an answer because I'm at a loss as to what's caused this.

I've used a vaporiser before with no issues. I've smoked my current herb 4 or 5 times, no probs. Bought an Arizer Solo, used it Saturday night, great session until I had the worst asthma attack I've had in 10 years. I barely get asthma anymore. I had a light session last night - and same deal. My girlfriend has participated both times, with no issues

It reminds me of when I was being an idiot at 14 and inhaling match smoke at school, I had a chronic asthma attack. I have an allergy to sulfur.

My only theory right now is that this is poorly flushed herb which had a sulfur based pesticide. I think I need to try my herb through a different vape, then different herb through my vape. I also want to try water filtration.

Any other insights? I was so excited to obtain my first vape, only to be faced with an allergic reaction!

steama said:

Some people are sensitive to something in cannabis vapor or smoke. Hope you are not one of them.

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I hope I'm not either. Though, I've vaped before and smoked plenty of times without this kind of reaction.

You mention that you bought an Airizer Solo recently , but what did you do with it before you started to vape? Every electric vaporizer I buy goes through an extensive burn-off and iso cleaning before I ever load the chamber and start medicating.

Did you run the Solo at max temperature and use a bright flashlight to confirm there was no off-gassing of the unit itself?

Have you tried vaporizing any other strains? What about using a different vaporizer with the same herb?
Through simple process of elimination you should be able to identify the source of your attack

Ratchett said:

Did you run the Solo at max temperature and use a bright flashlight to confirm there was no off-gassing of the unit itself?

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Yes. Ran it at full temperature for 12 minutes. Inserted the tube and ran it again for 12 minutes. Didn't use a flashlight or do any cleaning though. Can you describe off-gassing?

Ratchett said:

Have you tried vaporizing any other strains? What about using a different vaporizer with the same herb? Through simple process of elimination you should be able to identify the source of your attack

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I smoked the herb again last night without issue. I plan on now:
1) Vaping my herb through a friend's desktop vape.
2) Vaping his herb through my Solo.

I hope this isolates the issue. Thanks for your feedback

monkeyvape said:

Yes. Ran it at full temperature for 12 minutes. Inserted the tube and ran it again for 12 minutes. Didn't use a flashlight or do any cleaning though. Can you describe off-gassing?

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Basically, vapes can get a bit dirty from the production process (chemicals used to treat various components during manufacturing, dust buildup, etc).

As with any vape (and even glass that I purchase, especially from China), I like to clean it thoroughly (for vapes, usually iso soaked q-tips, careful to avoid plastic which may discolor from prolonged exposure to iso).

When you run the solo at full temperature, hold a bright flashlight up to the oven, look for any visible vapor (fumes) - with nothing in the oven (preferably a brand new unused), there should be no vapor fumes. Many people with either continue to do burn-offs until the fumes are gone, or they will return the unit for replacement (sometimes the fumes can be an indication of bigger problems).

This only happened once? If so how do you know it's even related to vaping? Could just be coincidence.

Ratchett said:

hold a bright flashlight up to the oven, look for any visible vapor (fumes)

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Will give it a try. Thanks.

Caligula said:

This only happened once? If so how do you know it's even related to vaping? Could just be coincidence.

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It's happened twice now. Allergies to this herb's vapor, no allergies with combustion. Went back and forth to confirm.

Interesting so your friend's herb through the Solo worked fine?

Maybe it has something to do with the particle size, vapor have larger particles witch are triggers for our noses. It says, "something is in there" your system checks if you can handle it, if it wants to get rid of it it will turn the immune system on. We are more or less good at this evaluation, that's why we can react to something that can be considered non harmful. The product we use is also known as an expectorant, so it's supposed to help you get rid of things. The fact that you come from combustion and may need to detoxify can be a factor in the triggering process.

I used to have a whole load of sneezes fits, all day, with my nose and eyes dripping ; it was terrible to be honest, I even have been on antihistamine prescriptions with little to no success. But all that pain came to an end with the use of water tools and more importantly paying great attention to all the other stuff. Not inhaling any smoke or other irritants, like artificial scents in laundry and hygiene products, I avoid theses and other synthetics chemicals like the plague.

For me is was also about eating excellent quality, organic products and avoid abusing inflammatory foods. As an example, consuming a lot of salty foods is particularly inflammatory. It helped a lot, I always like having loads of fruits and vegetables especially when I eat rich foods like meat and greasy stuff.

I also use pressurized, sterilized salty water solutions (the Sterimar brand is my favorite) to cleanse my sinuses when I feel some discomfort, and also every time I take a shower, with all the steam it doubles the clearing effect. I don't use disposable tissues anymore because they put irritant fibers into your nose, it's a terrible vicious circle. I always clean my nose with lots of water after blowing it in my clean hands that I immediately wash afterwards.

The vapor is going to be itchy if you accumulated a shitload of stuff your body wants to get rid of. It's kind of kick starting the elimination process and it triggers strong immune reactions, sometimes it's almost unbearable.

Of course, it's important to make sure you are consuming a clean product, with a clean device. Cleaning is a daily, if not by the hour habit for me.

Now I feel very good about my whole respiratory system and smell sense (brand new and dog like), it never have been so great. Also, I have never have been vaping that much in the past, and I like my clouds thick like smoke, so it's not about moderation. I can handle a lot, and not even cough or sneeze.

monkeyvape said:

My only theory right now is that this is poorly flushed herb which had a sulfur based pesticide. I think I need to try my herb through a different vape, then different herb through my vape. I also want to try water filtration.

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I'm thinking mold/fungal sensitivity. It will be interesting to see what happens when you switch strains.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and feedback. I tried number of things... and now everything is okay!(?)

1. I smoked my herb in my friend's desktop vape. No problems.
2. I smoked his material in my Solo. No problems.
3. I cleaned the Solo with a little rubbing alcohol and set it on high for three x 12 minute sessions (note: I had already done this when I purchased the device). I took lighter, slower draws. I let the vapour hit my tongue - not the back of my throat. I had light sessions, and paced myself. I used my same herb that had initially caused problems. I also kept calm and assured myself there would be no more asthma attacks. No problems.

I'm actually stumped as to what caused the reaction. Maybe it's Springtime allergies. Maybe the device just needed a little extra cleaning. Maybe my body needed to adapt.

There are so many variables, I'm just happy to be vaping now without issue and put it down to a freak occurrence.

Thanks again. I really appreciate the community here.