Allergic reaction to nicotine patches

[JustALittleHelpPlease]

Hi, I'm hoping someone has been in this position before and can offer some advice!

I quit smoking nearly 4 weeks ago using patches and a vape for the tough moments. All has been going really well until I noticed that the irritation I was getting from the patches was getting worse to the point the last one I used left a nasty swollen burn. 4 days later and it still hasn't gone (although is improving). Obviously I stopped using the patches but I'm struggling now with the quitting - still managing but it is hard!

The quit councillor I'm using has recommended some sensitive skin patches which I'm happy to try but, from my googling (I know, sorry!) It seems this could be an auto immune response as I have psoriasis. So, do we think switching patches will help or am I just lining myself up for increasingly serious reactions?

Obviously the patches aren't cheap but I want to stay quit... I'm torn on what to do!

Thanks for any help :)

Ooh long sorry!

TL:DR if I'm increasingly reacting to patches (possibly auto immune response) will sensitive skin patches help or should I look for something else?

What about nicorette gum

Not if you are allergic to the ingredients though of course, speak to a doctor or pharmacist first

Sorry should have said, the gum gives me horrific mouth ulcers

I'm not sure if I'm allergic to the ingredients or if it is an auto immune response to the nicotine delivery.

Thanks for your response btw @HappyHamsters I've spoken to the pharmacist and got a very shoulder shrugged response really hence asking here. I get the impression it is unusual and most people just use them and that's it

Beat not then, maybe stick to the green tea. Congratulations on quitting.

What about the lozenges or nicotine pouches like Velo, OP? Do they give you mouth ulcers too?

I can't really think of anything else - unless you go down the Zyban route?

Ooh I've not heard of velo, I'll take a look thank you I looked into zyban but it is so expensive! Having said that it would be worth the cost if I stayed quit

@JustALittleHelpPlease I think you can get your first box of velo free on the website, to try.

Zyban is expensive but it’ll easily be offset against the cost of cigarettes!

I feel for you. I’m coming up to 2 months stopped after relapsing last year and it’s so hard!

Free is my favourite price - it's really helpful to be able to try things out given they're not cheap and you have no idea how they'll work for you.

Ooh congratulations on getting to 2 months, I think it is really tough starting again after a relapse, I really hope you manage keep going - definitely worth it in the long run (my new mantra )

Can you try and quit nicotine all together? It's really tough but only for a short time. I used gum and sweets at every craving.

Thanks @Perfect28 I'm thinking that may be the way forward, I'm already several days without the patches so maybe I should just bite the bullet. I just want it to be as easy as possible because I am not particularly good at willpower

You can do it! I wrote myself a letter promising I would never touch another cigarette and then just had a heap of snacks ready to distract me. Put on a fair amount of weight lol but it wasn't as bad in reality as it was going to be in my head. The first few days are the worst so if you've already done those you're well over the hump!

Thanks @Perfect28 😊 I'm still going... trying to get my stubborn head on

If you've already gone several days without a patch the nicotine will be out of your system, I think it takes three days, maybe try to keep going without nicotine replacement

Well my councillor assured me the sensitive patches would be fine and recommended stepping down a level as I'd managed without but was finding it a bit tough still.

Of course they weren't fine and I have a huge swollen, weeping burn so, no more patches for me however I have made 28 days so also no fags for me. I'm doing it by hook or by crook now

I think, if you have an autoimmune condition you need to use patches with caution however I would highly recommend them, they've definitely made the first few weeks a lot easier