Acquiring Allergies

[Brad H]

This will be a somewhat unusual question.
In the past, I drank alcohol and never had any issues. A few years ago, I developed an allergy to alcohol. This was not alcohol intolerance, but an actual allergy. It was severe enough that I cannot drink anymore. Asked the doctor about it, they shrugged their shoulder and said humph.... I studied the components of different spirits and the allergens within, but despite which ones I consumed made no difference; still the same reaction.

Now, it appears I am developing an allergy to any pipe tobacco that I smoke. I am starting to have this same type of reaction to all pipe tobaccos I have been smoking lately, despite it being my routine smoking tobacco, which has never given me any issues.
I am hoping I am not developing an allergy like I did in the case of alcohol. Sadly, it appears as of now, it is the same type of allergic reaction. Doesn't matter which one I am smoking, same reaction.

I know the body changes over the years. A long time ago, I was allergic to cats; now I am not allergic to cats. I am curious about other people's allergies to, perhaps, smoking pipe tobacco......

Has anyone ever developed an allergy to alcohol or pipe tobacco?

 

[ofafeather]

Sorry to hear that. I read recently on another forum about someone that developed an allergy to deer tongue. Crooner had become his favorite blend, then he started having reactions. Not tobacco, specifically, though.

Curious if antihistamines help. I’m not a medical professional so have no real clue.

 

[SmokingInTheWind]

This will be a somewhat unusual question.
In the past, I drank alcohol and never had any issues. A few years ago, I developed an allergy to alcohol. This was not alcohol intolerance, but an actual allergy. It was severe enough that I cannot drink anymore. Asked the doctor about it, they shrugged their shoulder and said humph.... I studied the components of different spirits and the allergens within, but despite which ones I consumed made no difference; still the same reaction.

Now, it appears I am developing an allergy to any pipe tobacco that I smoke. I am starting to have this same type of reaction to all pipe tobaccos I have been smoking lately, despite it being my routine smoking tobacco, which has never given me any issues.
I am hoping I am not developing an allergy like I did in the case of alcohol. Sadly, it appears as of now, it is the same type of allergic reaction. Doesn't matter which one I am smoking, same reaction.

I know the body changes over the years. A long time ago, I was allergic to cats; now I am not allergic to cats. I am curious about other people's allergies to, perhaps, smoking pipe tobacco......

Has anyone ever developed an allergy to alcohol or pipe tobacco?

When you say allergic reaction do you mean anaphylactic?

I developed an intolerance to alcohol after suffering from a pleural effusion and not drinking for 5 months while I recovered. I tried drinking afterwards and the first drink of Scotch hit me like I had drank a fifth, not drunk but hungover sick. Started to get sick within minutes and sick all the next day. The doctor did liver bloodwork and said it looked normal. She had no advice. I tried sips of beer and started to feel sick. Tried tequila with same results. So, I just accepted it and moved on. I started smoking pipes soon after. Gotta have at least one vice, right?

Pipe tobacco has not been an issue.

 

[Brad H]

Well what you described sounds like alcohol intolerance.

When I drank it turned into allergic reaction. Sinus cavities all clogged. Leading to anaphylactic.
Now I’m getting the same from smoking a pipe for about the last month +
However didn’t stop me from picking up some more Bruno flake….
Seems it doesn’t matter what leaf I smoke, same result.

Surly I can’t be cursed twice…..

 

[driftedshank1]

Brad H- If you haven't done so altready, I might suggest that you consult with a board certified allergist/immunologist.

 

[SmokingInTheWind]

Well what you described sounds like alcohol intolerance.

When I drank it turned into allergic reaction. Sinus cavities all clogged. Leading to anaphylactic.
Now I’m getting the same from smoking a pipe for about the last month +
However didn’t stop me from picking up some more Bruno flake….
Seems it doesn’t matter what leaf I smoke, same result.

Surly I can’t be cursed twice…..

That is a real shame. Have you tried smoking only minimally processed tobacco like D&R Virginias and Two Timer burley? Just in case it is a reaction to toppings, flavorings, or propylene glycol.

 

[Brad H]

I’ve tried almost everything I have normally smoked and enjoyed.
So pretty much everything except Aromatics.

 

[sardonicus87]

I haven't developed an allergy to any alcohol, or maybe it's an allergy but not like, a typical allergic response.

I used to drink beer fairly regularly (in moderation), but it got to the point that I could only drink certain beers. If I had a Coors, Stella, Modelo, just one, I would get a severe headache. Heineken would give me an even worse headache after only half a bottle. Meanwhile, I can drink Warsteiner pils and Einstök white ale with no issues. I'm sure there's others I could drink, but selection here is kind of limited. Not sure either if that's just an allergy to something in some beers or just an intolerance.

The only other thing that I developed was an intolerance to poultry meat... though that's not an allergy. It's exactly like lactose intolerance, except it's for poultry meat protein (though eggs are still fine).

 

[Brad H]

Seems the suggested remedy is avoid it…. What if medical advice is that….

 

[dottlejockey]

Sorry to hear this, Brad. I'd second the idea of consulting a professional specific to allergy/immunology, if possible.

 

[SmokingInTheWind]

View attachment 403807

Seems the suggested remedy is avoid it…. What if medical advice is that….

Yeah, they should have a pill for that!

 

[ofafeather]

View attachment 403807

Seems the suggested remedy is avoid it…. What if medical advice is that….

That’s the biggest challenge - finding someone that understands not just your potential condition but your goal - how to deal with it so you can smoke. My guess is there is a chance that prophylactic medicine can make it possible to smoke some. Most likely less, though. Have you tried any allergy meds before smoking?

 

[ofafeather]

Other thoughts - how immediate is the reaction? Would short smokes make a difference? Does chewing rather than smoking have the same effect? Change of environment help? More ventilation? Co-allergy with another stimulus like mold or pollen, even possibly a food. Just ideas.

 

[ofafeather]

chewing rather than smoking

Just to see if it’s tobacco itself or smoke - not that I think you should chew instead of smoking.

 

[BingBong]

Is it possibly seasonal, connected to pollens temporarily?

 

[Groot5225]

Not sure if it would help, but allergy meds maybe.

As others suggested, seek medical input. Even if they shrugged, you can try naturopathic doctors. They aren’t as fancy as MDs/DOs, but they are more open to identifying the root cause and trying alternative treatments. Don’t worry they don’t use crystals to try and heal you

 

[Brad H]

Taken allergy meds. (Daily)
Haven’t chewed in a while but dipping does not bother me.
Not really a seasonal pollen issue in my area this time of the year.

Other thoughts - how immediate is the reaction? Would short smokes make a difference? Does chewing rather than smoking have the same effect? Change of environment help? More ventilation? Co-allergy with another stimulus like mold or pollen, even possibly a food. Just ideas.

Reaction is pretty much within a min or less.
Very strange.
In a well ventilated area, outside infront of a fan…. Blowing smoke away from me….
I’ve tried the extreme here.

I do like pipe smoking but not to the point of holding an Epie pen…

Alcohol= vice #1 yanked from my routine
Don’t want to loose pipe smoking now…..:
Going to lay off it for a few days and revisit it I guess.

 

[ofafeather]

Going to lay off it for a few days and revisit it I guess.

Sigh. Sorry brother. Maybe with a rest the problem will retreat. Wish you the best with it. It sucks.

 

[Groot5225]

Taken allergy meds. (Daily)
Haven’t chewed in a while but dipping does not bother me.
Not really a seasonal pollen issue in my area this time of the year.


Reaction is pretty much within a min or less.
Very strange.
In a well ventilated area, outside infront of a fan…. Blowing smoke away from me….
I’ve tried the extreme here.

I do like pipe smoking but not to the point of holding an Epie pen…

Alcohol= vice #1 yanked from my routine
Don’t want to loose pipe smoking now…..:
Going to lay off it for a few days and revisit it I guess.

Yeah that’s not fun chilling with your epi pen. Good thing though that you can take a break and age your tobacco. Silver lining haha

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Medications can cause this.

I was taking a biologic a while back that ruined coffee and beer for me.

It also changed the way nicotine makes me feel.

Weird stuff man... Some of that medicine is made from rat cells and shit.