Runny nose when eating non spicy food

If you have noticed your nose tends to run when you eat or you have post nasal drip (mucus build up in the back of the nose), you may be wondering what is causing it. If you figure out the cause, you can take action to improve your symptoms. There are many things that can cause a runny nose after eating.

Fortunately, there are ways to get to the bottom of the issue, and determine what is causing your nose to run when you eat. There are also many effective treatments that can help reduce your symptoms. 

What is rhinitis?

Rhinitis refers to inflammation of the lining of the nose, also called the nasal mucosa. Rhinitis often results in a runny nose and is caused by a number of different conditions.

Runny nose when eating non spicy food

Allergies (allergic rhinitis)

Allergic rhinitis refers to having a runny nose and/or congestion due to allergies. Typically, this refers to seasonal allergies from pollen, and more year round allergies due to pet dander, mold, or dust mites. When a runny nose occurs specifically after eating, it could be related to a food allergy.

Seasonal and household allergies

Seasonal allergies, also known as hayfever, are what we typically think of when we use the term “allergies”. With seasonal allergies, a person is allergic to pollen or mold in the environment, and their reactions may follow a predictable pattern that changes with the seasons. For some people, this may mean they’re more likely to have a runny nose after eating in the spring, summer, or fall, depending on their specific allergies.

Household allergies involve similar symptoms, but tend to be year-round. Household allergies cause people to react to pet dander, mold, and dust mites.

Food allergies

When a person has a food allergy, they may experience a runny nose as part of their reaction. However, food allergies usually involve more symptoms than just a runny nose such as:

  • Wheezing
  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Hives
  • Rashes 
  • Swelling
  • Dizziness 

So, if a runny nose is your only symptom, it’s more likely that it’s being caused by something else.

Non-allergic rhinitis

Non-allergic rhinitis is the general term for nasal symptoms that occur for reasons other than allergy and is usually a diagnosis made after an allergic cause is ruled out with allergy testing.

Non-allergic rhinitis can occur due to irritation, often caused by extreme temperatures, low humidity, or smoke inhalation. Viruses like the cold and flu, as well as medications that affect certain hormones, are other potential causes of non allergic rhinitis. 

Vasomotor rhinitis

Vasomotor rhinitis is another cause of rhinitis that is not related to allergy. When common causes have been ruled out, especially allergic rhinitis, and the cause is still unclear, vasomotor rhinitis is the usual suspect. 

The term “vasomotor” refers to vasodilation and vasoconstriction, which are processes that widen and shrink blood vessels. 

Common triggers of vasomotor rhinitis include:

  • Temperature changes
  • Perfumes and scents
  • Smoke, cooking odors
  • Dust, but not dust mite allergy
  • Air pollution
  • Stress

Gustatory rhinitis

Gustatory rhinitis is the name given to rhinitis associated with eating. This is a very common experience, and almost anyone who has had a spicy meal has found themselves sniffling afterwards. For some people, this can be a desirable effect, helping them clear their sinuses.

Common causes of gustatory rhinitis 

There are several potential causes of rhinitis or a runny nose after eating, including allergies, irritation, spicy foods, and environmental triggers.

Common rhinitis symptoms after eating:

  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Nasal congestion
  • Itchy nose
  • More phlegm than usual
  • Phlegm in your throat (Post nasal drip)

Gustatory rhinitis has been confirmed by many studies. A 1989 study found spicy foods caused increased nasal congestion compared to control foods.

If you suspect spicy foods are the cause of your runny nose after you eat, consider toning down the spice. Adding dairy products or other fat-containing foods to your meal can help reduce the impact of spicy foods. That’s why Indian restaurants often offer a yogurt dish called raita with their dishes.

3 ways to stop your nose running when you eat

1.   Prevention - Rule out common causes

If you’ve noticed your nose tends to run when you eat, the first thing to do is to rule out common causes of a runny nose. 

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, make sure those are under control. If you eat a Iot of spicy food, tone it down a bit and see if that helps. If it’s winter, try running a humidifier to see if your nose calms down. 

If there’s no obvious common cause of your runny nose, move on to the next steps. 

2. Single out and avoid your triggers

The next step is to find out what triggers your runny nose after eating. Is it a full-blown food allergy? A sensitivity? 

When trying to find the cause of your symptoms, it might help to start a food diary. A food diary can help by logging the foods you ate and your level of symptoms to draw associations. You may notice a pattern just from this exercise alone. If there isn’t a clear pattern (such as getting the sniffles after that hot burrito you get every Friday), you will need to do more digging. 

If you suspect your runny nose has something to do with a food allergy, it could help to take an allergy test. A blood test can help you identify potential trigger foods. Following that, you can experiment with eliminating the foods the test identifies you are sensitive to, and then reintroducing them to verify whether they are the cause of your symptoms.

If you’re not able to get an allergy test, you could try eliminating the most common food sensitivities, and reintroducing them one at a time. Here are most common culprits for food sensitivities:

  • Lactose (most common)
  • Gluten (wheat, rye, and barley)
  • Casein (protein in milk products)
  • Eggs 
  • Soy products
  • Fish and shellfish
  • Peanuts or tree nuts
  • Sulfites (commonly found in red wine & beer)
  • Food additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG)

3. Treat symptoms

Suffering with a runny nose all the time is no fun. There are different ways to manage a runny nose after eating depending on the cause of the problem. Regardless of the cause, you can always treat symptoms of a runny nose. The best treatment for only a runny nose due to vasomotor rhinitis is with a prescription nasal spray called Ipatropium bromide. An oral decongestant may also help in some cases but they can have some undesirable side effects so ensure you seek advice from your physician first.

If the cause is food specific:

If your runny nose is related to specific trigger foods, avoiding the food is key. If it’s due to an allergy of any sort, allergy medication may help. 

If the cause is gustatory:

If you suspect you have gustatory rhinitis, avoiding or limiting spicy foods may help. You can also try incorporating dairy or another fat-containing food which can help dissolve the spice and lessen its impact.

If the cause is environmental:

If you think your runny nose could be related to environmental triggers, treat them accordingly. For dry air, you can try running a humidifier. Reduce the scented products you use in the home, and turn on the ventilation hood while cooking.

Keep in mind that treating the symptoms may make it harder to nail down the cause. It may be worth suffering through the symptoms for a bit while you figure out your triggers. 

In summary

Having a runny nose after eating is unpleasant, but there are many things you can do to identify the source of the problem by eliminating foods from your diet, ruling out likely environmental situations and identifying co-occurring symptoms. 

Once you’re aware of your trigger foods, you can try to avoid them while also treating any symptoms as they arise. If you find you can’t get a handle on your runny nose after eating, test your allergies with an allergen-specific IgE test such as imaware’s home allergy test. This test is designed to provide detailed results enabling you to engage a healthcare professional sooner. Armed with the data, a physician may then be able to refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist or an allergist for further help.

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Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on June 15, 2021

Gustatory rhinitis is the medical term for a runny nose or sneezing you may get after you eat hot or spicy foods. It's a type of nonallergic rhinitis, where your nose gets inflammation but not because of an allergy.

Gustatory rhinitis can cause several irritating symptoms after you eat including:

Snatiation is a related reaction that isn't well studied. The name is a portmanteau word. It's a combination of the words sneezing and satiation. It's also an acronym for “Sneezing Non-controllably At a Time of Indulgence - A Trait Inherited and Ordained to be Named”.

Scientists will go a long way out of their way for a funny acronym. Snatiation was first named in a tongue-in-cheek letter in the Journal of Medical Genetics. It appears to be genetic and to occur after eating large meals and doesn't cause any major problems.

Nonallergic rhinitis is when you sneeze or have a runny or congested nose with no obvious cause. The symptoms are similar to those of allergies such as hay fever — also called allergic rhinitis. Nonallergic rhinitis doesn't usually cause itching eyes, nose, or throat the way that allergic rhinitis does. Nonallergic rhinitis is diagnosed after several allergies are ruled out.

The symptoms are usually present year-round — though they may worsen with changing seasons. Nonallergic rhinitis doesn't usually occur in children. It usually develops after the age of 20 years.

The symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis can be triggered by a variety of different irritants, including:

There are several factors that increase your risk of nonallergic rhinitis including:

  • Being more than 20 years old
  • Being exposed to irritants
  • Being female
  • Having hypothyroidism — where your thyroid gland is underactive
  • Having chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Having diabetes
  • Excessive use of over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays
  • Being exposed to fumes at work

In addition to gustatory rhinitis and snatiation, there are several subtypes of nonallergic rhinitis.

Cold air rhinitis. Also called skier's nose, cold air rhinitis happens when you have a runny nose in cold weather.  

Senile rhinitis. Also called atrophic rhinitis or dry nose, senile rhinitis typically occurs when your nasal glands don't produce enough moisture. It also happens with aging and after some kinds of nasal surgery.   

Rhinitis medicamentosa. This rhinitis develops with the overuse of over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays or other medications. It can also happen with cocaine abuse. But, it is not seen after you use steroid nasal sprays.   

If you get gustatory rhinitis, there are many treatments and management methods to choose from.

Nasal ipratropium. This prescription medicine is the best treatment for gustatory rhinitis. It's available in 0.3% or 0.6% solutions. It relieves a runny nose but not nasal congestion, sneezing, or postnasal drip. You spray it into your nose to stop the glands from producing a large amount of fluid.

Avoiding triggers. Whenever possible, avoid exposures that trigger your symptoms.    

Nasal irrigation. Rinsing your nose with salt water can help with symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis. It is particularly helpful for postnasal drip. The most common method of rinsing is via nasal irrigation with either neti-pots or specially made squeeze bottles. You can rinse before you use nasal sprays to help the medicine work more effectively. Saline nasal sprays are easy to use, but nasal irrigation is more effective.    

Nasal antihistamines. Prescription nasal antihistamines can help relieve sneezing, postnasal drip, and congestion. Common brands include Astelin and Astepro. They work quickly and can be used when you need them. However, they are more effective if they're used regularly.     

Nasal glucocorticoids. These steroid nasal sprays are available over-the-counter under brand names such as Flonase Allergy Relief and Nasacort. The effects build up over time. The maximum effect won't be achieved for several days or weeks. Like antihistamines, these sprays are most effective if they're used regularly.     

Combination medicine.Dymista is a prescription medicine that contains two types of medicine. It has both an antihistamine and glucocorticoid.      

Decongestants. Oral decongestants are not usually used unless nasal antihistamines and nasal glucocorticoids haven't worked for you. Oral decongestants can help with stuffiness but they have side effects such as increased blood pressure, nervousness, and difficulty sleeping.

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