Throat Burning & Coughing: Causes and Solutions

Causes and Solutions for Throat Burn in E-Cigarettes

While using an e-cigarette, you may experience throat burning, dryness, irritation, or coughing. This condition can be particularly noticeable for first-time users, those who choose a high nicotine level, or when device settings are not properly adjusted.

However, throat burning and a burnt coil taste are not the same thing. Understanding the problem correctly is essential for determining the right solution to apply.

Quick Info: Throat burning may be related to nicotine strength, the PG/VG ratio of the e-liquid, hot vapor, chain vaping, or personal sensitivity. On the other hand, a burnt coil taste typically creates a dry, bitter, smoky, or burnt cotton-like taste in the mouth.

Causes of throat burn in e-cigarettes

What is the Difference Between Throat Burn and Burnt Coil Taste?

Throat burn is mostly felt as throat dryness, irritation, scratchiness, a harsh hit, or an urge to cough.

Burnt coil taste, on the other hand, occurs when the cotton inside the coil fails to absorb enough e-liquid or when the coil reaches the end of its operational lifespan. The user may taste burnt cotton, paper, ash, or a bitter flavor in their mouth.

Warning: Do not continue using a coil or cartridge that produces a distinctly burnt taste. If you use a replaceable coil, install a new one; for cartridges with integrated coils, replace the entire cartridge.

Why Does an E-Cigarette Cause Throat Burn?

1. Excessively High Nicotine Level

One of the most common causes of throat burn is that the nicotine strength in the e-liquid used is too high for the individual's needs or for the amount of vapor produced by the device.

In addition to harshness and throat irritation, high nicotine levels may cause symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headache, sweating, or heart palpitations in some users.

If the discomfort started right after switching to a new e-liquid, a lower nicotine concentration should be considered. High-nicotine salt e-liquids should not be used in low-resistance devices that generate high vapor production.

Get detailed information about salt nicotine and salt e-liquid usage

2. PG Ratio Being Too Harsh for You

PG (Propylene Glycol) is one of the e-liquid ingredients that helps deliver flavor and throat hit more distinctly. Some users may find e-liquids with high PG ratios too harsh and experience throat dryness or discomfort.

In this case, provided it is compatible with your device, a more balanced e-liquid or one with a slightly higher VG ratio can be evaluated.

Attention: High-VG thick liquids are not compatible with every pod cartridge. If liquid cannot be absorbed quickly enough in cartridges with thin wicking channels, the coil may stay dry and create a burnt taste.

3. Wattage Setting Being Too High

If the device's wattage setting is set above the recommended range for the installed coil, the coil can overheat. This causes the vapor to become excessively hot, leading to throat discomfort and causing the coil to burn out in a shorter time.

Check the recommended wattage range specified on the coil or in the product description. It is best to start at the lower end of the recommended wattage range and adjust incrementally based on your needs.

4. Low Ohm Resistance and High Vapor Production

Low-resistance coils generally operate at higher power levels and produce more vapor. When vapor volume increases, the amount of e-liquid consumed and nicotine absorbed with every puff also increases.

Low resistance alone does not necessarily cause throat burn. However, when low resistance, high wattage, and high nicotine are combined, the throat hit can become excessively harsh.

Get detailed information about coil and ohm resistance values

5. Chain Vaping (Too Frequent Puffs)

Taking consecutive puffs without pausing does not give the cotton inside the coil enough time to re-absorb e-liquid. When the cotton is under-saturated, the vapor becomes hotter and can produce a dry or burnt hit.

Wait a few seconds between puffs. Avoid taking overly long and hard draws; instead, take controlled draws suited to the airflow design of your device.

6. Using a New Coil Without Priming

When a new coil or cartridge is installed, the cotton is completely dry. Firing the device immediately after filling it with e-liquid can burn the coil on its very first puffs.

After filling a new coil or cartridge, wait approximately 10-15 minutes to allow the cotton to become fully saturated with e-liquid.

7. E-Liquid Level Running Too Low

If the e-liquid level inside the tank or cartridge drops below the coil's liquid entry ports, the cotton will not be properly saturated. This can result in hot vapor, dry hits, and a burnt taste.

Instead of overfilling to the brim, maintain an adequate liquid level that covers the coil's liquid ports.

8. Airflow Being Overly Closed

Closing the adjustable airflow too much can cause the vapor to feel hotter and more intense. If you experience throat discomfort, try opening the airflow control in small steps.

Learn about the function of airflow control in e-cigarettes

9. Mouth and Throat Dryness

E-cigarette usage can cause mouth and throat dryness in some individuals. Drinking sufficient water throughout the day can help reduce the feeling of dryness.

However, drinking water will not resolve technical issues like an incorrect nicotine ratio or a burnt coil. The underlying cause of the discomfort must be separately identified.

10. Sensitivity to Flavors or E-Liquid Ingredients

Some users may experience heightened throat irritation with specific flavor profiles or e-liquid ingredients. If the discomfort occurs only when using a specific e-liquid, pause its use and try a product with different ingredients.

Products of unknown origin or undisclosed ingredients should be avoided; always choose products with clearly stated packaging, ingredients, and nicotine levels.

Explore premium e-liquid varieties

How to Relieve Throat Burn from E-Cigarettes?

When you feel burning or irritation in your throat, you can perform the following checks in order:

Take a break from vaping and observe whether the discomfort decreases.
Check if the nicotine level of your e-liquid is suitable for your device and usage style.
Lower the device's wattage to the coil's recommended operating range.
If there is a burnt or bitter taste in the coil, replace the coil or cartridge.
If you used a new coil, make sure you waited long enough after filling it with e-liquid.
Check that there is sufficient e-liquid in the tank or cartridge.
Avoid taking rapid, continuous, and overly long puffs.
Open the adjustable airflow slightly to regulate vapor temperature.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
If the discomfort occurs with a specific e-liquid, discontinue using that product.

In Which Cases Should Usage Be Discontinued?

Throat burning can be mild and short-lived, or it could be a sign of another health issue. It should not always be assumed that the issue stems solely from the device.

Health Warning: If you experience severe or persistent throat pain, shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, swelling of the lips or face, feeling faint, intense palpitations, or recurring vomiting, stop using the product immediately and consult a healthcare facility. Seek emergency medical care if you experience severe difficulty breathing or chest pain.

E-cigarettes and e-liquids are not entirely harmless products. Nicotine is addictive. Non-smokers, non-nicotine users, individuals under 18 years of age, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should not use nicotine-containing products.

Pod mod e-cigarette usage

Frequently Asked Questions

I just started vaping, is it normal for my throat to burn?

Mouth dryness or mild throat irritation can occur during initial use. However, severe, continuous, or worsening discomfort is not considered normal; take a break from usage and check nicotine levels, coil, wattage, and e-liquid compatibility.

Does throat burn mean the coil is burnt out?

Not always. A burnt coil usually imparts a bitter, smoky, or burnt cotton-like taste. Throat burn can occur due to different reasons like high nicotine levels, hot vapor, PG sensitivity, or dryness.

Will lowering the nicotine strength reduce throat burn?

If the discomfort stems from high nicotine, a lower nicotine level can be helpful. However, if there is an issue with coil priming or wattage settings, lowering nicotine alone may not be sufficient.

Should I use a high-VG e-liquid?

A higher VG ratio may feel smoother to some users. However, thick e-liquids are not compatible with every cartridge and coil. Do not select an e-liquid without verifying device and coil compatibility.

Can a burnt coil continue to be used?

No. A coil or cartridge that yields a distinctly burnt taste must be replaced. Adding new e-liquid to burnt cotton will not restore the coil to its former performance.

Will drinking water completely cure throat burn?

Hydration can help reduce mouth and throat dryness. However, it will not resolve issues like high nicotine, incorrect wattage, incompatible e-liquid, or a burnt coil.

Does salt e-liquid cause throat burn?

Salt e-liquids generally feel smoother compared to freebase e-liquids of the same nicotine level. Nevertheless, if the nicotine strength is too high for your needs or for the device's vapor production, throat discomfort and symptoms of nicotine excess can occur.

In Conclusion

Throat burn during e-cigarette use does not depend on a single cause. Nicotine strength, PG/VG ratio, coil resistance, wattage setting, airflow, vaping frequency, and e-liquid ingredients must all be evaluated together.

First, take a break from vaping and check device and e-liquid compatibility. If complaints persist despite adjustments, or if accompanied by symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe palpitations, consult a healthcare professional.