Woman's mouth covered in ulcers after vaping habit triggered rare skin condition

We all know smoking has disastrous, lethal consequences on your health. This is why some people turn to vaping, which they believe is a healthier option. However, smoking a vape cigarette can be just as devastating. Such was the case for a young woman, who was left unable to eat after she smoked daily for a year. Here's what happened.

This woman vaped for a year before getting ulcers

A young 22-year-old woman from Indonesia had been vaping for a year when she finally visited her doctor. She started complaining of painful ulcers on her lips, gums and tongue. These ulcers made her life a living hell, as she could not eat or drink without feeling a stabbing pain in her mouth. Her doctor first assumed she had herpes, but her tests came back negative. That is when he asked her about her any recent lifestyle changes.

The woman admitted she had started vaping a year before she first noticed her symptoms. She was then diagnosed with oral erythema multiforme, a skin condition that is quite similar to an allergic reaction, although it is extremely rare to develop the condition on or inside the mouth. According to her doctor, the condition was triggered by her vaping.

She was left unable to eat anymore

This young woman's case was reported in the International Medical Case Reports Journal in April 2024. Experts revealed that oral erythema multiforme can sometimes be triggered by certain substances found in vapes, such as propylene glycol, glycerin, nicotine and artificial flavourings. It is usually caused by bacterial or fungal infections. This condition can affect any area of your body, leaving sore and painful lesions. According to the NHS, erythema multiforme only affects 1% of the population around the world. Symptoms usually include a fever, headaches, general body aches and feeling overall unwell.

Doctors at the University of Indonesia’s Department of Oral Medicine described the woman's case as 'mild' and they prescribed her with a steroid mouthwash and a moisturising solution to apply onto her lips. Most of all, the main cure for her was to stop vaping. After only a week, she already started showing vast improvement.

If you notice any rash or suffer from symptoms previously described, do not hesitate to contact your local GP for an emergency appointment, or to dial 999. If possible, you should also go to the A&E.

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Sources used:

Metro: How one year of vaping left a woman’s mouth covered in ulcers so bad she couldn’t eat

International Medical Case Reports Journal: Vaping as a Risk Factor for Oral Erythema Multiforme: A Case Report and Literature Review

NHS: Erythema multiforme