Allergic to Cigarette Smoke?
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When you catch a whiff of tobacco smoke, do you cringe in anticipation? Perhaps the first thing to cross your mind is the unpleasant memory of your last clash with secondhand smoke and the runny nose, sneezing, and congestion that followed. For some, the reaction to cigarette smoke closely resembles an allergic reaction, which leads them to believe that they have "smoke allergies".
Did you know that some of the popular myths concerning "smoke allergies" might actually be getting in the way of properly treating your condition? This article will help you tell if determine whether you are affected by "smoke allergies" and what you can do to better protect yourself from the illnesses associated with smoke exposure.
#1 Myth: "Allergic to Smoke”
No one really is allergic to smoke. Many people insist that they are allergic to smoke created by cigarettes or cigars, but the truth is that they have having an allergy-like reaction due to other health complications. Understanding exactly why you feel like you are having allergy attack when around a smoker is the key to understanding how to prevent symptoms in the future.
Smoke technically is not an allergen, but an irritant. This explains most people feel no relief when they take antihistamine allergy after exposure to smoke. The key to avoiding the problems caused by cigarette smoke is determining what type of sensitivity you have and how best to treat it.
So, Who is Prone to “Smoke Allergies”?
- Children and Infants
- Elderly Persons
- People with allergy history (anyone with allergies, asthma, eczema, etc)
- People exposed to heavy smoke for long periods of time
Sometimes people who are sensitive to tobacco smoke will also experience allergy-like symptoms when they encounter strong odors, perfumes, weather changes or temperature changes.
Symptoms of Cigarette Sensitivity
For some people, exposure to tobacco smoke can cause a list of symptoms:
Sneezing
Coughing
Watery, burning eyes
Runny nose
Post nasal drip
Congestion
Shortness of breath
Headache
For many people, these symptoms appear shortly after exposure to cigarette smoke and last for hours afterward. In addition to these symptoms, individuals exposed to smoke on a daily basis are more likely to experience constant respiratory infections like sinusitis and bronchitis as well as the development of wheezing and asthma.
Tobacco Smoke Exposure
A burning cigarette is capable of releasing over 4,000 different chemicals into the air (and 80 of these are known or suspected carcinogens). For some, avoiding situations with smoke is almost impossible. Often a family member will smoke indoors, or a public place like a bar or restaurant will allow smoking. Depending on the severity of your reaction, sometimes the residual smoke scent on another person's clothing or in a room where someone had smoked in the past can cause irritation. So, even though avoidance of tobacco smoke is the best method to prevent "smoke allergies", it may not be a practical solution.
Two Main Types of Smoke Sensitivity
In order to truly treat the reaction to smoke, you have to identify what sort of sensitivity you are experiencing. There are two forms of smoke sensitivity:
-
Smoke Aggravating Underlying Allergies: your body is weakened by smoke and begins reacting to all the tiny bits of pollen, dust and dander that usually would not have been a problem.
- Vasomotor Rhinitis: this is a condition that has all the same symptoms as allergic rhinitis (or nasal allergies), but cannot be treated by antihistamine allergy medicine.
Smoke-Aggravated Allergies:
Allergens are small particles that are made up of proteins that the body has mistaken for a dangerous intruder like a virus or other germ. Smoke contains tiny tar ash particles (that form a white cloud as the tobacco burns), but these are not the same as a true allergen because they are not protein based.
Smoke particles are classified as an irritant, which can cause you quite a bit of discomfort, worsen illnesses like asthma and allergies, and cause other serious health problems. So, no one can truly be allergic to smoke, but they may actually be suffering from a complication of their existing allergies or another illness.
If you have allergies or allergic asthma, smoke can trigger an allergic reaction because it is putting an extra strain on your body and immune system. The speck of cat dander drifting through the air might not have usually set off a violent reaction, but with the addition of tobacco smoke, your body can no longer handle the allergens. Asthma becomes dangerous when mixed with exposure to tobacco smoke-even deadly for some.
You are likely to experience complications to existing allergies if:
- You know that you are allergic to other things like pollen, pets, mold or dust mites.
- You have eczema or food allergies.
Treatment
- Avoid as many situations as you can where you are exposed to smoke.
- See an allergist to optimize your existing allergy treatment, or see if you have developed new allergies.
- Run an air purifier to reduce the number of allergens in the air. Even a smaller, portable air filter like IQ Air's HealthPro is effective at removing allergens in guest rooms of smoking family members.
Vasomotor Rhinitis:
This is a form of inflammation and irritation of the nasal area as well as the throat and eyes. Seasonal or indoor allergies are called "allergic rhinitis". Vasomotor rhinitis is different from the allergic type because it is not caused by allergens and is sometimes called "non-allergic rhinitis". It causes many of the same symptoms that an allergic reaction would, but is caused by highly sensitive or excessive amounts of blood vessels in the delicate tissue of the sinus area. The symptoms you experience are trigger by your nervous system rather than allergens.
This means that while another person may be able to tolerate a certain amounts of cigarette smoke, a person with vasomotor rhinitis will experience significant discomfort with the same amount of smoke. So you are not overreacting when you complain about small amounts of smoke - these small amounts REALLY ARE affecting you more severely than those around you.
In addition to cigarette smoke, often strong odors or weather conditions will also cause symptoms, so you may find that many aspects of your environment cause allergy-like symptoms. Some individuals will actually experience allergic rhinitis and vasomotor rhinitis simultaneously.
You are likely to have vasomotor rhinitis if:
- You are highly sensitive to other elements like perfume, strong odors, changes in weather, changes in temperature, or even spicy foods.
- Walking into a slightly warmer (or cooler) room makes your nose runny or feel completely dry.
- Antihistamine medications do not alleviate the symptoms.
Treatment
- Avoid as many situations as possible where your condition might be aggravated-this includes smoke, as well as some of the other vasomotor rhinitis triggers like wearing perfume, using scented candles, etc.
- Talk to your doctor about treatment options. Some over the counter medications like oral decongestants and saline nasal sprays may offer you some relief. Some prescription medications that have been proven effective are antihistamine nasal sprays (as opposed to oral antihistamines which typically have no effect on vasomotor rhinitis), anti-drip anticholinergic nasal sprays and corticosteroid nasal sprays.
- Limit your exposure to smoke and smoke odor as this is often the cause of many vasomotor rhinitis cases. Use an air purifier like the Dynamic CT500 Home Smoke Eater at home to minimize airborne pollutants.
A Note to Those with Existing Allergies:
Inhaling even small amounts of smoke over a long period of time can actually cause you to develop new allergies or even asthma. In young children, second hand tobacco smoke inhalation greatly increases the likeliness of developing allergies when they get older. If you live with a smoker, you are likely to have more cases of bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and other respiratory illnesses.
The best thing you can do for yourself make your living space a zero-tolerance smoke area. If this is not an option, you might want to consider an air purifier as an investment in your health.
Some of the symptoms of sinusitis (sinus infection) can closely resemble the vasomotor rhinitis and allergic rhinitis described in this article. Be sure to see your doctor to help you diagnose your condition if tobacco smoke has you feeling under the weather.
For more information about the full effect that tobacco smoke has on you, your home and your finances, see my Effects of Smoking hub.
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Comments
David, you CAN NOT be allergic to smoke itself. However, smoking does weaken your immune system temporarily, which could cause your body to react to other things in the air you may be allergic too. This webpage is FULL of spelling and grammar mistakes, so I'm not sure how valid it is, but the majority of the information is true. There is no way to actually be allergic to the smoke itself, and anyone who says they are is making up an excuse.
Thanks for such an informative article.
It is correct that one cannot have an allergy to smoke itself. As the article states, smoke is an irritant that can aggravate other things, such as asthma and cause bad reactions. I should know, I am an asthmatic.. Perfume and smoke both are irritants that can cause an asthma attack, but I don't go around saying that I am 'allergic' to these things.. I know they can trigger my attacks.. I think it's important to note the difference. Those that spout off that they are allergic to perfumes and smoke sound silly to those that are really informed in this area.
"Allergen" or "Irritant" doesn't really matter to me--they both have the SAME effects. Either name you call it, it causes my son to have a severe asthma attack. When I say "severe", I mean his skin turns blue, the ambulance is called, he's rushed to the ER and is hopitalized for several days before returning to normal. It's not an excuse for anything. It is a very real, very dangerous medical condition.
All of that from walking out of a business where a smoker feels the need to stand right outside the doorway and smoke. Or watching a parade and they guy next to you lighting up. Or stopped at a stoplight and the guy next to you hangs his cigarette out the window. I could go on and on......
We do everything we can do avoid ANY exposure to the second-hand smoke, but sometimes, it really is impossible outside being trapped inside your own home.
The fact that the symptoms are the same does not mean the problem is the same. This article is correct in identifying this fact. An allergy attack is an IgE mediated immune response to an allergen. Vasomotor rhinitis is a nervous system response. Cigarette smoke is an irritant that triggers the nervous system response and must be treated differently. I suffer from vasomotor rhinitis and I can testify that antihistamines do absolutely nothing to mitigate the effects of even a tiny amount of cigarette smoke. I have to take nose spray and saline as well as a nasal decongestant every day just to get a moderate amount of relief. The only way to solve the problem would be to ban cigarette smoking and, believe me, I would definitely support that.
What a load of rubbish !!!! How dare you say that you can not be allergic to cigarette smoke... okay smoke in itself is an irritant but what causes the allergic reaction is the chemicals in the smoke. There are something like 4000 chemicals in cigarette smoke including arensic, formalderhyde, carbon monoxide... all these can cause an allergic reaction to certain individuals which is separate to the smoke itself being an irritant to those who suffer from rhinitis or sinusitis.
Very informitive!
I was metting with the landlords of our building Sunday and 1 wiff of their smoking My sinuses blocked, ran and I started to sneeze and cough. True allergy or not it sure felt like an allergic reaction.
I'm a smoker and cirette smoke makes me sneeze. I know i am alergic to it, or the chemicals in it either way a very informative hub. Nice work.
heres how it goes with me. I was raised in a family with parents that smoked a carton of cigarrettes a week each and we had wood heat also. I'm married now and do not, nor have i ever smoked, but when I go to see my parients and visit I always end up with brochitis sick for a week. so wats the deal? ideas anyone? i need to see my family without getting sick
Aside from avoiding their home - you could suggest that they actually clean the air. In the hub article itself is a link for a CT500 Home Smoke Eater that can help. Nothing will make their home feel like a non-smoking home - but air cleaning will definitely improve things. It's recommended that they try to smoke in one room only and put the CT500 in THAT room. Give it a look.
I have a reaction to all smoke, someone smoking, house burning, fire place, candle, any sent, anywhere where smoke used to be, anything. if i'm not allergic how do you explain it? i do not smoke nor have i ever smoked. i have sinus infections that turn into worse infections even with treatment. doc just tells me to avoid smoke. easier said than done. it is winter everyone is buring fire places i cant avoid it. i take a nasal spray and zyrtec every day. doesn't help what am i supposed to do? i can't live like this i'm only 22 and it keeps getting worse the older i get. i used to could be around smoke but only for a short time period as long as its not much. now i can't even ride in a friends car who smokes but has not smoked for days or weeks without having a sinus infection the next day. was driving down the road and a house was on fire had to drive thru the smoke work up with an upper respiratory infection the NEXT morning. what else is it other than a smoke allergy?
Stephanie:
It is very possible that you have chemical sensitivity or underlying allergy that is aggravated by smoke inhalation, or even vasomotor rhinitis. Technically, cigarette (or any other type of smoke) lacks the protein element that would make it a true allergen. It's the protein in pollen, animal dander, mold spores, etc., that your body reacts to during an allergy/asthma attack.
As my article suggests, this doesn't mean that smoke WON'T cause a lot of irritation (not to mention some other serious conditions) - but you won't be able to treat "smoke allergies" with most allergy medications. Allergy medications are made to interrupt the chemical reaction caused when the proteins in allergens come in contact with mast cells in the skin lining your nose, throat and eyes.
Your sinus infections and upper respiratory infections are most likely linked - after the infection starts in your sinuses, post nasal drip will cause the bacteria to migrate down your throat to your bronchial tubes and lungs. I have the same problem and find that a neti pot really helps prevent sinus infections. When I feel a sinus headache coming on (or was just exposed to smoke, etc), I use the neti pot for a few days until the pressure subsides. It's a natural way to reduce the bacteria causing the infection and soothe the inflammation. It's not the most pleasant thing in the world, but it might be worth trying for your situation.
Just remember that it is always best to consult a doctor - especially if your medications aren't helping your symptoms. For more info on the illnesses mistaken for smoke allergies, read my other smoke allergies article: http://hubpages.com/hub/Smoke-Allergies-4-Reasons-
Wow, this makes sense to me now- now I know why antihistimanes don't work when I am exposed to cigarette smoke.
Allergic to Cigarette Smoke
I think this hub is the anti-anti-toxin to anxiety! Help, the verbosity of it is making me anxious!
Has anyone mentioned that it is a proven fact that cigarette smoke causes cancer ? How about the 400 known toxins in tobacco smoke? Anyone care to deny that? Whether smoke is an allergen or an irritant, it reeks havoc on non-smokers, the ones who choose not to smoke. I don't think the argument should be whether or not it is an allergen. As a person who has "reactions" to cigarette smoke, it makes me utterly sick. If I am exposed to cigarette smoke, I will absoutely develop a sinus infection shortly after. If I have to sit near people who have recently put their cigarettes out, I get an almost immediate, severe headache. Many states are going to smoking bans in public places. Is it any wonder why? Sure, it's your personal right to smoke, but if you choose too, accept that your bi-product is harmful to those around you. Don't pretend that it doesn't affect anyone else around you. It does.
Thanks to this website info, I am aware of what I have. It is a sad sad truth. I feel so terrible for "Proud Mom" that is just awful! I run when someone lights up around me, or I can smell a smoker from a mile away, I can smell anything for miles, I thought before I just had a super-sense for smell! I dont quite get headaches like other people had mentioned, but I get a good stomach ache and or soreness, kind of like someone just punched me in it, along with a cough. Sigh, Thanks for reading this.
I'm seeing an allergist on monday and will ask him about my 'reactions' to people around me who smoke including the tennants who live around apartment units which ugh everytime I am around a ciggy smoker I lose my voice as in get largynitis (more they smoke the more my throat gets irritated to end up clearing it continously so bad that i'm coughing to gagging reflex just like the other member posted. Even the smell of smoke left in ashtray at the mall or a ashcan for the mall makes me puke.
This apartment is definetly nice place but i may have to find a non-tolerance smoking area because I know it affects me big time . When I was in california where there was no one at all smoking (no coughing or clearing throats) in restaurants or around apartment areas .
It is obvious that smoking is bad for EVERYONE exposed to it..so how do you get someone to quit???
I'm under 18 so I have to live with my parents - my mom smokes and is starting to smoke more and more! I think she is having some sort of reaction to the smoking now, too because she has been sick for a week now. She has been to the doctor twice and all they said was it was something to do with sinuses or something..like with allergies. She's been taking all kinds of medicines, but nothing is working. She gets severe head aches that leave her in tears - (and this is the ridiculous part) so she LIGHTS UP A CIGARETTE thinking it actually helps with her headaches!
My whole life I have been incredibly sensitive about the smoke; I would ask the other people around me if it bothered them like it does me..they said it doesn't bother them at all. I get severe head aches, stomach aches/nausea, coughing, sometimes sneezing, dry or itchy/watery eyes, etc.. but my mom absoultely refuses to quit smoking! She won't even talk about it!
Is there anyway to help her quit smoking without buying everything off the market??? I really can't take it anymore; every time she lights a cigarette I go nuts and everything leads to a huge fight..just a little while ago I said some really awful things..I just want my mom to quit sucking on those cancer sticks..
Samantha:
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately, quitting is hard enough when someone wants to quit. Your mom doesn't appear to want to quit which means it's just that much more difficult.
Is she willing to smoke outside to minimize the effect on you? Probably not, huh? Hmmm...
My recommendation - if she starts smoking - calmly leave the room and get as far away as you can to minimize your exposure. If you can't talk sense into her - just protect yourself.
The other thing you can do is suggest that if she's unwilling to quit that she at least clean the air to minimize the health effects on you.
There are some good resources on my websites http://www.My-Air-Purifier.com or http://www.HomeSmokeEater.com.
Air cleaning does work but it's not perfect.
Hope this helps.
Dan
If cigarette smoke is so harmful to non-smokers... then why isn't public smoking ILLEGAL?
In one word - Politics. THAT is why smoking isn't illegal. The tobacco industry has a very powerful lobby in Washington and contributes tons of both contributions and taxes into this country.
Allowing cigarettes to remain on the market isn't in the publics best interest - but then again, I'm not convinced that is always our governments first priority.
Samantha, if you are still reading, there are some states that will enforce "no smoking around minors" (under 18) through the courts. This usually happens in divorce and/or custody cases, and the numbers are increasing because of the health issues children face when subjected to second hand smoke. Possibly you could speak to your school counselor to be pointed in the right direction in your state??? Good luck. I agree with webdan65, you can't convince her to stop, so you must try to protect yourself.
Smoke is an irritant for some, but chemicals in certain cigarettes, not all, definitely do cause a systemic allergic reaction for me. I've gone into anaphylactic shock twice, hospitalized and put on oxygen, given an epi pen to carry at all times, each exposure lessening the body's reaction time to the chemicals emitted. I don't have to smell smoke at all, and usually don't--all a person has to do, who is a smoker, is walk past me and I get an immediate headache and feel like someone punched me in the stomach. If I get a full exposure to cigarette smoke, I get an instant headache, nausea, and my face reddens and swells (and I can't breathe if I can't get away from the toxins), I itch all over and it feels like I itch thoughout my internal body, my right sinus begins bleeding in a few hours and I remain with a severe unabating migraine/headache, rhinitis and nausea usually for three weeks and am fighting a sinus infection. Some European cigarettes and American Eagles (?), those cigarettes which are mainly tobacco without being laden with chemicals don't bother me at all or only cause mild irritation. I now irrigate nasally daily with saline solution and take a steroid spray twice daily to help for unexpected exposure, and it does help, My nasal passages don't swell shut as quickly. But even with that, I am "sicker than a dog" becoming increasingly ill and within three weeks of being around people, such as in a college classroom setting, the reaction to the chemicals in the cigarette smoke from people walking by, or having to walk through smoke at the entrances, it seems to short circuit my brain to where I can't concentrate at all. I was exposed to heavy smoke from open burn pits where everything was burned, in Iraq, and co-workers were permitted to smoke both in the work areas and in front of the work van doors. Requesting smokers to have a smoke area away from non-smokers was ridiculed and ignored. The combination of burn pit and daily cigarette smoke made my brain feel as though it was inflamed. I believe that the chemicals in smoke poison one's internal body. With food allergies, it is easy to avoid a known allergen. We often cannot avoid, however, the air we breathe! Unless we become a totally, isolated, recluse.... One doctor said that I probably would die from exposure to cigarette smoke due to (documented) systemic reaction, that it is imperative for me to completely avoid cigarette smokers and the toxic (chemical-laden) smoke.
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From India….
I had sneezing problem in my school age. my brother also have same problem.
My father is chain smoker. I take tablet with help of doctor’s advice but problem not solved, again take table after 1 week. Before 3years I started smoke and drinking. Now days not have sneezing problem.
It’s come rarely. (Because of climate changes,…)
But my have serious problem taking tablet daily.
What is solution for my brother and me?
Thanks for doing this hubpost. It's helped me to identify more precisely what my 'allergy' to cigarette smoke is. People think i'm exaggerating all the time, when i'm not and the doctors don't do much about it.
I am someone who has never smoked before, nor been in a family who smokes. The smell of smoke and other irritants have always bothered me, but usually didn't cause me to experience debilitating symptoms. The old I get, the worse it gets. (I'm now 59). All it takes is for me to walk past someone who may have a smoke odor on their clothing, and within a minute or two, at the most, I start a migraine, have nasal congestion, and now get severe laryngitis. I can lose my voice completely within seconds, where I can hardly even whisper. I have just come off prednisone for a severe prolonged attack of laryngitis, and two days later walked past someone who wasn't smoking at that time, but had a mild smoke odor on them. Now, my voice is again gone. It's so frustrating. Does anyone know why the laryngitis, and what can be done to help the situation?
Hello Priscilla - I too suffered from a smoke triggered loss of voice. It was virtually instant. I had asthma as a young girl (from 4-6 years old) and then it returned when I was 18 (went to University). After the various allergy tests, dust serum weekly, 4 types of asthma medication, etc.....I finally stopped taking everything (as I was getting a new doctor and hadnt been getting any relief). I also changed careers at the same time.
Fast forward to today (8 months later) and I am pleased to report that with a positive mindset, I am free of breathing troubles and smoke is not a vocal loss/poor breathing trigger for me any longer. I wouldnt have believed that stress could have had that much control on my body or fooled me that much.....but I believe now that it did.
The panic precipitated further breathing troubles but the smoke was the trigger that started it all. Apparently stress is a VERY strong force.
Good luck in finding your solutions - I hope they arrive for you as well as they have for me.
Oh, and i'm 39 now and have never smoked.
Please. I bet in a blind test, with people having their sense of smell taken away (or limited) and the smoke being invisible, that the majority of people who said they had an "allergic reaction" would be quite low. I'd say most of the people who have an "allergic reaction" just hate cigarettes so much that their body becomes uptight when they small smoke.
ty ty very much :)
Smoke triggers asthma attacks for me. I could care less if it is an alergen or not. It is danagerous and has caused me to be hopitalized. I can't even hug someone who is wearing clothing exposed to smoke without hiving out and wheezing. I ended up moving to a smoke free state when I graduated from college so I could go to restaraunts. Lets not forget second hand smoke is harmful whether or not it triggers asthma.
Just stumbled on this. It is interesting that my reaction to smoking is not an allergic reaction. It makes me think that what I have can't be treated at all, which is a bit depressing. I don't have the same extreme reaction some people have to smoke - I have never had an attack that put me in hospital, but my headaches and congestion last for an hour or two after getting around smoke so I try to avoid smokers in restaurants and public places.
My problem now is that smoke is getting into my home. I just moved to San Diego from Chicago and was looking forward to living in a climate where I could have windows open all year round. But my neighbors in the adjoined condo next door smoke on their back patio around the clock - and the husband even works from home so he is literally smoking all day long. I keep my windows closed almost all the time now (it makes me wonder why I spent thousands of dollars and changed jobs to live in a moderate climate) but the air and furniture in my condo smells of smoke and I get headaches just thinking about going home. I don't know if it is coming in through cracks or vents but there is a constant light breeze blowing from their direction and instead of this being a blessing it is a curse because it carries all of their smoke my way. I talked to them very politely, asking if they could please move their smoking to their side patio which faces the street and is not close to any other condos, but they refused and the husband even yelled at me to f-off. I tried to tell them that the smoke wakes me up in the morning and makes me sick and is ruining all of my things, but they didn't want the inconvenience of lighting up on their other patio which adjoins to their bedroom instead of the living room. I didn't know how to talk to people like that - who think that it's okay to ruin someone else's life for their own convenience... sorry I know this is not a piece on smoking neighbors :)
Interesting article.
Fran, I wonder if there is some different way to approach your neigbors. Could it be misunderstanding rather than disregard? I am a smoker who is also sensitive to smoke, so I'm coming from a strange perspective, perhaps. Even if it is disregard, consider that the nonsmokers who complain and impose without reason ruin it for those who have a valid issue. As one example, it bothers me that I have to stand in the rain to smoke (at home and at work) because there is no covered area where I am "allowed" to smoke. Surely in all the many square feet of outdoors, there could be some little area for a smoker to smoke without getting soaked? A nonsmoker blanketly assuming that smokers are just "inconsiderate" is very hypocritical; the inconveniences go both ways, not just against the nonsmoker. Perhaps if smokers didn't feel like the nonsmokers were being so rude and inconsiderate, they would be more inclined to make extra consideration for those who are bothered by their smoke. It is awful to have your house smell like smoke. I hope you can find a solution soon and start enjoying that nice weather!
I had an ALLERGIST tell me that I'm allergic to cigarette smoke. A DOCTOR, not someone writing an article poorly without any references provided to back up the information provided. I'll go with what my doctor, an allergy specialist, had to say over this unsubstantiated piece.
River,
Smoke is considered an irritant for allergies and asthma - there's no arguing with that. It sets off an allergic reaction because it is irritating the underlying condition.
If you find that smoke creates an allergy-like reaction, you might just be irritating and affecting your underlying allergies or you might have vasomotor rhinitis (non allergic rhinitis. Some people actually have both allergic rhinitis and vasomotor rhinitis at the same time.
Here are some quick quotes from a few of my reputable sources:
"One-third of chronic sneezers and wheezers suffering allergy- like symptoms actually suffer from non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis or VMR, which exhibits the same stuffiness, sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose and post-nasal drip that allergies produce . . . The problem isn't necessarily allergies. An irritant such as cigarette smoke or cleaning agents can be the trigger."
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI is *the* authority on allergic disease in the US)
"While tobacco smoke and wood smoke are not true allergens, they can cause nasal symptoms in patients with inhalant allergies."
- ClevelandClinic.org
"Cigarette smoke allergy refers to an adverse reaction by the body to cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke allergy is not considered a true allergy but a sensitivity as the smoke is an irritant rather than an allergen. People with other allergies tend to be more sensitive to cigarette smoke. "
- WrongDiagnosis.com
The American Academy of Family Medicine breaks triggers down into 7 different groups - one for true allergens like dust mites and dander and a different one for irritants that includes tobacco smoke and air pollution. Even Wikipedia has a really good breakdown of vasomotor rhinitis and the irritants that cause it.
There is a lot of information out there on this topic - but your allergist is right, smoke is going to cause allergic reactions through irritation if you have allergic allergies. For people with non-allergic rhinitis, they are not going to get any relief by taking allergy medicine since there is no allergic cascade taking place.
I dont think I agree that cigarette smoke cannot cause an allergic reaction. When I was a kid I was exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke and the next day I woke up with a swollen red face which later developed to the point where my eyes were swollen shut. When I went to a dermatologist he also confirmed that it was an allergic reaction.
Isnt it funny how all these militant anti smokers come out on here with their "claims" of smoke allergies?
Anyone use ANY common sense anymore?
Why was this not a problem in the 50's, 60's and 70's?
Its a FRAUD and people who claim they are allergic to smoke are FRAUDSTERS (or clinically insane)
I love the morons that start coughing when they SEE someone holding an unlit ciggarette lol
Got any issues there buddy?
Ok so here is the deal....I can be around any kind of smoke there is and I actually enjoy the aroma and everything....except for cigarettes....even cigars are fine.
I have found that heavier cigarettes will usually be much worse than the lite ones. My throat instantly closes up, that is the scary part.
Tonight I went to the casino and someone walking by the table that I was sitting at just decided to put their cigarette in the ash tray sitting at my seat...thanks for that you MOTHER F*$#ER.
Anyways, I put up with it for about 2 minutes and then cashed out and ran for the door as quickly as possible. It is now 6 hours later and I still cannot breathe too well.
My personal belief is that the added chemicals to the cigarettes (you know, all that terrible crap) is what is causing it for me.
The little cigars that look like cigarettes will often have the same effect as cigarettes for me as well. I know those ones have the chemicals in them too because they will continue to burn like a cigarette even when you are not smoking them.
Gandu, I don't care if you smoke or you don't smoke, just don't do it around us that want to breathe. If you believe everyone posting their stories of allergic reactions to cigarettes are frauds, don't you have something better to do with your time? How sad. I AM allergic to cigarette smoke, so stick that in your pipe and smoke it. Are all of the physicians who diagnose people with smoke allergies nuts also ?? So only the smokers are the sane ones, correct? Yes, that makes complete sense. The people with the "addiction" are of the correct opinion, and it is the "unaddicted" ones who have the problem.
Gandu says:
"I love the morons that start coughing when they SEE someone holding an unlit ciggarette lol"
My Aunt does that... before a cigarette is even lit, she will cover her mouth and start coughing and gagging, yelling "I can't breathe!". LMAO
I work in a hotel, and it seems EVERY TIME a non-smoker gets a room where someone has smoked, they claim a cigarette smoke allergy.
I completely understand the dislike of cigarette smoke odor, but seriously... not every non-smoker is allergic! Stress and/or fear can cause a reaction similar to an allergic reaction (headaches, stomach aches, dizziness, sore throat, etc).
Steff, it's not the smell of it really...there is something in cigarettes that makes my throat close up. Other smoke doesn't do it. I don't have any problems with people smoking.
I do hate it when people who smoke believe that since they can handle the smoke so can every one else around them.
People are going to be different, and I am pretty sure it is possible to be allergic to 1 of the 4,000 different chemicals inside cigarettes.
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002229.htm
I agree with the comment about stress and mental illness causing your reations to smoke. You are hearing from M.D.'s that smoke is not an allergen but you keep insisting you are allergic to it. 20, 30, 40 years ago people believed in freedom in America. I wish all the uptight judgemental " oh smoke just ruins my life" would move to a communist country where they belong. Quit looking down on smokers and take a look at yourself in the mirror. There are so many other things I am sure you can find to pick on people about. Suck it up and walk it out!!!!
Well - Freedom is a double edge sword. One might argue that people should be free to breathe clean air without having to smell or inhale smoke.
I'm not allergic and don't claim to have life threatening reactions to smoke. But I should still be FREE enough to not like it and not expect it in my space.
Back before smoke was banned from work places, I sat next to a woman who smoked. All day long I had to suffer her cigarette smoke wafting over into my desk area.
Did it make me sick? Nope. But it was still downright uncomfortable and unpleasant.
Smoke all you want. Just don't force others to breathe the smoke too.
I was disappointed that you would not cover the chemicals in that smoke and the high probability of allergy to those. I had a filtrette on a fan in my apartment. I took a 4" square to a lab and they found nicotine. Do you know how hard that is. Second hand smoke is not just smoke, so please give us the entire picture. Formaldehyde is another chemical and an allergen. We can go on another 4,000 x
While most of information is correct and useful it is simply not true to state that it is impossible to be allergic to smoke. There are actually 3 different types of allergies and smoke falls into one of those three types, however, it is not the same type that most of are used to, such as dust or pollen. You should see an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist or an Allergist if you have any questions about this sort of thing. It is especially important to do so because the research is constantly uncovering new data concerning such things and because someone that writes an essay and throws in some photos is usually biased.
I am very distressed over my increased reactions to cigarette second hand smoke (toxins). I have found that now upon just entering the house of a smoker, I can become extremely unwell afterwards. Even if the smoker goes outside to smoke, or leans out an open window. I still get ill, so I imagine the residue build up on the clothes/hair etc starts to build up in the house itself.
What happens to me? I don't notice as much as it is happening, except I feel more hyped up, heart racing etc. It is later that things kick in when my body attempts to try and expel it. I get nausea, headaches, puffy eyes, nasal congestion, cramping in the stomach, itching in the face, depression, drooling etc. Then my body will go into a kind of attempt to detox. So I start crying excessively, salivating and rashes come up.
If this was just mere "allergy" the symptoms would dissipate not too long after exposure has stopped. Yet the symptoms for me continue long after I have been away from the smoker's house. I will only improve if my body is able to expel the toxins I have been exposed to. This can take weeks and even months before improvement is noted.
I do not know what has brought this on. Yes, I have always been somewhat sensitive to things, but now I am basically totally intolerant to it and suffer for ages after exposure. I have the same problem upon entering a dental office because of exposure to mercury vapor. I suffer again sometimes for months following. Yes there is more amiss for this to happen to me and I'm aware of that. And certainly other people do not always believe me completely about such reactions because they seem ridiculous/extreme and unlikely. So all I can do is eat well, take supplements and try and avoid entering the house of a smoker, because so far I have found nothing that prevents this from happening. And I am devastated by it because I cannot even see people I would love to see!
I recently started a job that I love, but have a major problem that may cause me to have to leave it. I work in an office with a Doctor, who, between patient visits, goes to the back room to smoke. I have a constant headache at work and my nose bleeds at home. I have always hated smoke and always get instant headaches from it. How can I approach my boss with my issue. This is the most difficult thing I have had to ever deal with. After all, it is his business, but he reeks of smoke and so does the air. Help?
To "Can't Breathe":
Have a sit down with the doctor and tell him that you may not be able to continue working there because the smoke is making you sick. He's a doctor so he should understand that it is unpleasant and unhealthy for people and frankly his practice to have a place reek like smoke.
Tell him to check out HomeSmokeEater.com. One of those machines in the back room where he smokes will make a BIG difference in the air quality in the doctors office.
Benefits for him:
Not losing an employee.
Minimizing the odors in the office which probably affect patients too.
Overall healthier environment for himself as well as the staff.
You didn't mention whether or not smoking is legal in work places in your state. I know in PA - it's illegal to smoke in a work place. You could always play that angle if he turns nasty.
In the interim time - it's your health. Start poking around for another job just in case you get nowhere with the doctor.
Dan
if you are allergic to cigs and you choose to smoke what could happen.
i am allergic but i smoke and everytime i do i get dizzy and light headed. people say i could be smoking to fast but i really am not. the other day i started throwin up blood. could cigs be why??
Throwing up blood could be signs of lots of bad stuff. Go to your doctor immediately. Don't walk, run.
If it happens when coughing - that could be signs of respiratory or lung problems. (yes, cigarettes could make things worse) If you are vomiting like you would if you had an upset stomach - throwing up blood could be an indication of ulcers or stomach issues.
Again - go do your doctor immediately. Don't mess around with this. If there is a lot of bright red blood - go to the Emergency Room - NOW!
I want to know if the "smell" of smoke not smoke itself is harmfull to anyone!!!
Mr Concerned:
Smoke is made up of gases, fumes and particles. If you are smelling the smoke - you are breathing some element of it - whether you can see it or not.
If you can smell it, even in an adjoining apartment or condo - you are likely getting some of the gases from the tobacco smoke. Many of the gases released from tobacco smoke are harmful.
I've been working in an office and the clients and my boss is wonder ful but it is connected to a resteraunt and people smoke. to make the long story short. Many people are smoking and it comes in threw the vents. the first month that i worked there I started having a real sharp pain on the left side of my chest. It was like someone was stabbing me from the front all the way threw the back. went to the hospital they asked me if I did heroin because my heart was racing. I sad no I have never done any type of drugs. Well they sent me home and told me to take some advil its probable the flu or something. well I put 2 &2 together and figuered this must be a reaction to smoke I have never had this before but still had my doubts. well as time is pasting I don't have that feeling but started to have differant symptoms at differant days and times. Ranging from weakness,my head being very sensitive when I touch it,headace,right arm tingling,left arm tinglins,dizzy.dry skin,yellow eyes,tiered all the time don't have much energy. Burning sensation in my nose and throught. I spoken to my boss and it seems that he might be moving to another location. but can someone please tell me or prove to me that my symptoms are from ciggerets or cigars. I know this might sound horrible but I get these symptoms maybe one at a time some times I don't get them at all. but what I do know is this all started when I started working in this office. help me please. i was reading some of these articles but I did not see my symptoms please get back to me.
Carol:
There is no way any of us here can tell you if the smoke is or is not causing the symptoms you described. Go see your doctor. The symptoms you describe should be looked at by a doctor. And an ER is there for urgent care. If these symptoms are ongoing, you are best to be under the care of your primary physician and any specialists they refer you to.
We cannot provide the answers for you. Go see your doctor right away.
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David says:
14 months ago
To make a statement that "Allergies to Cigarette Smoke is a myth" is absurd. An allergene is simply a foreign substance that causes a persons immune system to overreact and protect itself. Some people have a severe reaction to cigarette smoke. I am one of them. It triggers a mild anaphylactic shock which in turns causes shortness of breath and coughing leading to a severe gag reflex.
Now try to tell me it's not an allergic reaction...