You may experience allergy-like symptoms when coming into contact with tobacco and cigarette smoke. This is unlikely to be an allergy to the smoke itself, but rather a trigger to a preexisting condition.

If you’ve ever wondered if you’re allergic to cigarette smoke, you’re not alone.

Many people experience what they believe to be smoke allergy symptoms when they come into contact with tobacco smoke, such as from a cigarette, cigar, or pipe.

Keep reading to learn more about this reaction, as well as what you can do to prevent it.

Some people who come into contact with cigarette smoke may experience a number of common symptoms, including:

While these allergy-like symptoms can be caused by tobacco smoke, this is not a result of an allergy to the smoke itself.

Rather, because tobacco products — especially cigarettes — are filled with many toxic substances, these substances can irritate your lungs and airway, resulting in allergy-like symptoms.

Moreover, cigarette smoke can trigger reactions in people who already have allergic rhinitis or asthma.

Exposure to tobacco smoke may also be associated with an allergic reaction called contact dermatitis. Several studies have found that this is more common among people who smoke or come into contact with secondhand smoke regularly.

Not only can tobacco-smoke exposure trigger allergy symptoms, it may also be responsible for generating some allergies in the first place.

A 2021 review of studies found that children are more likely to develop allergies if the mother is exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke or actively smokes during pregnancy.

A 2023 study found that this effect was the most pronounced during the first trimester.

Allergy tests can be performed by an allergist. If you are unsure about finding an allergist, look for an office that specializes in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) health and ask if they perform allergy testing.

In most cases, a tobacco-smoke allergy test will actually test for allergies to the chemicals in cigarettes. A clinician will apply small drops of different allergens to parts of your skin (often your forearm) and wait to see which allergens produce a reaction on your skin.

Allergies to tobacco products can be managed in the same fashion that other allergies are managed: with medication and avoidance.

Common over-the-counter remedies for symptoms of tobacco exposure include throat lozenges and decongestants. Nonetheless, avoidance is preferable to any medication.

Here are a few tips for minimizing your exposure to tobacco products that may cause an allergic reaction for you:

  • Stop smoking.
  • If possible, avoid areas where you will be exposed to secondhand smoke.
  • Wear a surgical mask if you cannot avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
  • Ask loved ones to wash their hands and clean their mouth after smoking.
  • Enhance your immune system’s functionality with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep.

While allergy-like symptoms can be a result of contact with tobacco or cigarette smoke, you are unlikely to be allergic to the smoke itself. Rather, it may trigger allergic rhinitis if you already have it, or you may be allergic to some of the substances in the cigarette.

It is also important to note that regular cigarette smoke exposure can increase the risk of allergies developing in children.

The best thing you can do to avoid this reaction is to avoid any cigarette smoke entirely. However, if this is not a possibility for you, wearing a mask and asking your loved ones to wash their hands and clean their mouths after smoking can help.