Why Does My Nose Run When I Eat? Causes, Treatment & More

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Why Does My Nose Run When I Eat?

Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M.D. — Written by Corinne O'Keefe Osborn — Updated on April 18, 2023

Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Complications
Takeaway

Gustatory rhinitis is the medical term for a runny nose while you eat. Certain foods, especially hot and spicy ones, are known triggers.

Noses run for all sorts of reasons, including infections, allergies, and irritants.

The medical term for a runny or stuffy nose is rhinitis. Rhinitis is broadly defined as a combination of symptoms, including:

runny nose
sneezing
congestion
nasal itch
phlegm in the throat

Read on to learn more about gustatory rhinitis, its symptoms, causes, and treatment.

Symptoms

Other symptoms that might accompany a runny nose after eating include:

congestion or stuffiness
sneezing
clear discharge
phlegm in the throat, which is known as postnasal drip
sore throat
itchy nose

Causes

Different types of rhinitis are associated with different causes.

Allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is the most common form of rhinitis. Many people experience runny noses from allergens in the air, such as:

pollen
mold
dust
ragweed

These types of allergies are often seasonal. Symptoms may come and go, but they’re generally worse during certain times of the year.

Many people have an allergic response to cats and dogs. During such an allergic response, the body’s immune system reacts to a substance you’ve inhaled, causing symptoms such as congestion and a runny nose.

It’s also possible that a food allergy is the cause of your runny nose. The symptoms of food allergies can range from mild to severe, but they typically involve more than nasal congestion. Symptoms often include:

hives
shortness of breath
trouble swallowing
wheezing
vomiting
swelling of the tongue
dizziness

Common food allergies and intolerances include:

peanuts and tree nuts
shellfish and fish
lactose (dairy)
gluten
eggs

Nonallergic rhinitis (NAR)

Nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) is the primary cause of a food-related runny nose. This type of runny nose doesn’t involve an immune system response, but instead, it’s triggered by some sort of irritant.

NAR isn’t as widely understood as allergic rhinitis, so it’s often misdiagnosed.

NAR is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that if your doctor can’t find another reason for your runny nose, they may diagnose you with NAR. Common nonallergenic triggers of runny nose include:

irritating smells
certain foods
weather changes
cigarette smoke

There are several different types of nonallergic rhinitis, most of which have symptoms resembling seasonal allergies, except with less itchiness.

Gustatory rhinitis

Gustatory rhinitis is the type of nonallergic rhinitis that involves a runny nose or postnasal drip after eating. Spicy foods usually trigger gustatory rhinitis.

Older studies, such as a 1989 one published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, have shown that spicy foods stimulate mucus production in people with gustatory rhinitis.

Gustatory rhinitis is more common among older adults. It often overlaps with senile rhinitis, another type of nonallergic rhinitis. Both gustatory and senile rhinitis involve excessive, watery nasal discharge.

Spicy foods that may trigger runny nose include:

hot peppers
garlic
curry
salsa
hot sauce
chili powder
ginger
other natural spices

Vasomotor rhinitis (VMR)

The term vasomotor refers to activity related to blood vessel constriction or dilatation. Vasomotor rhinitis (VMR) presents as a runny nose or congestion. Other symptoms include:

postnasal drip
coughing
throat-clearing
facial pressure

These symptoms can be constant or intermittent. VMR may be triggered by commonplace irritants that don’t bother most people, such as:

perfumes and other strong odors
cold weather
the smell of paint
pressure changes in the air
alcohol
menstruation-related hormonal changes
bright lights
emotional stress

Possible risk factors for vasomotor rhinitis include past nasal trauma (broken or injured nose) or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Mixed rhinitis

Mixed rhinitis is when someone has both allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. It’s not uncommon for someone to experience year-round nasal symptoms, while also experiencing a worsening of symptoms during allergy season.

Similarly, you may experience chronic nasal congestion, but your symptoms expand to include itchiness and watery eyes in the presence of cats.

Diagnosis

Most people accept runny noses as a part of life.

A runny nose isn’t a serious condition, but sometimes the symptoms of nasal congestion can become so severe that they interfere with your quality of life. At that point, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor.

There are a wide variety of conditions that can cause nasal discharge, so you and your doctor will work together to investigate possible causes.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and any history of allergies. Possible diagnostic tests include:

skin prick test, to check for allergies
anterior rhinoscopy, to check for infections
nasal endoscopy, to check for chronic damage

If your doctor excludes all other causes for your runny nose, they’ll make a diagnosis of nonallergic rhinitis.

Treatment

The best method for treating your runny nose will depend on the cause. Avoiding triggers and using over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help alleviate most symptoms.

If the cause is allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis can be treated with many OTC allergy medications and remedies, including:

antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), and fexofenadine (Allegra)
honey
probiotics

If the cause is a food allergy

Food allergies can be tricky and can develop later in life. Even if your allergic symptoms have been mild in the past, they can become severe, even life threatening.

If you have a food allergy, try to avoid that food entirely.

If the cause is mixed rhinitis

Mixed rhinitis can be treated with medications that target inflammation and congestion, including:

oral decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and phenylephrine (Sudafed PE)
nasal decongestants, such as oxymetazoline hydrochloride (Afrin)
corticosteroid nasal sprays, such as fluticasone (Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), and budesonide (Rhinocort)
capsaicin nasal spray
topical anticholinergic agents, such as atropine (Atropen)
anticholinergic nasal sprays, such as ipratropium (Atrovent)

People who only have allergic rhinitis can also use these medications.

Prevention

The symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis, the most common cause of food-related runny nose, can be prevented with a few lifestyle changes, such as:

avoiding your personal triggers
quitting smoking, if you smoke, and avoiding secondhand smoke
avoiding occupational triggers (such as painting and construction) or wearing a mask while working
using fragrance-free soaps, laundry detergents, moisturizers, and hair products
avoiding spicy foods

Complications

Complications from a runny nose are rarely dangerous, but they can be bothersome. Below are some possible complications of chronic congestion:

Nasal polyps. These are harmless growths in the lining of your nose or sinuses.
Sinusitis. Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the membrane lining the sinuses.
Middle ear infections. Middle ear infections are caused by increased fluid and congestion.
Reduced quality of life. You may have trouble socializing, working, exercising, or sleeping.

Takeaway

If you need immediate relief from a runny nose, your best bet is to use a decongestant. Be sure to talk to your doctor about possible drug interactions.

Otherwise, your treatment for a runny nose will depend on what’s causing it.

If you need long-term relief, it might take a few weeks of trial and error for you to find an allergy medication that works for you.

It may also take time to pinpoint a specific irritant that’s triggering your symptoms, especially if it’s a common food flavoring, such as garlic.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Asha'ari ZA, et al. (2013). Ingestion of honey improves the symptoms of allergic rhinitis: Evidence from a randomized placebo-controlled trial in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. DOI:http://doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.2013.469
Fokkens W, et al. (2016). Capsaicin for rhinitis. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-016-0638-1
Food allergy. (n.d.).https://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergy
Hellings PW, et al. (2017). Nonallergic rhinitis: Position paper of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/all.13200
Kaliner MA. (2009). Classification of nonallergic rhinitis syndromes with a focus on vasomotor rhinitis, proposed to be known henceforth as nonallergic rhinopathy. DOI:https://waojournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1097/WOX.0b013e3181a9d55b
Lin T-Y, et al. (2013). Effect of probiotics on allergic rhinitis in Df, Dp or dust-sensitive children: A randomized double-blind controlled trial.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22728633/
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020). Allergy medications: Know your options.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/in-depth/allergy-medications/art-20047403
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Nonallergic rhinitis.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonallergic-rhinitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351229
Raphael G, et al. (1989). Gustatory rhinitis: A syndrome of food-induced rhinorrhea. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-6749(89)90484-3
Scarupa MD, et al. (2009). Nonallergic rhinitis, with a focus on vasomotor rhinitis clinical importance, differential diagnosis, and effective treatment recommendations. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/WAO.0b013e318196ca1e
Wheeler PW, et al. (2005). Vasomotor rhinitis.https://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0915/p1057.html

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Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M.D. — Written by Corinne O'Keefe Osborn — Updated on April 18, 2023

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Symptoms

Causes

Allergic rhinitis

Nonallergic rhinitis (NAR)

Gustatory rhinitis

Vasomotor rhinitis (VMR)

Mixed rhinitis

Diagnosis

Treatment

If the cause is allergic rhinitis

If the cause is a food allergy

If the cause is mixed rhinitis

Prevention

Complications

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

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