Why Does My Nose Run When I Eat? Symptoms And Treatment

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SubscribeWhy does eating give me a runny nose?Medically reviewed by Sirisha Yellayi, DO — Written by Lori Smith, MSN, BSN, WHNP-BC — Updated on January 16, 2026

• Gustatory rhinitis
• Vasomotor rhinitis
• Allergic rhinitis
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Summary

Key takeaways

• Spicy foods often cause a runny nose when eating. This is known as gustatory rhinitis. However, some people experience gustatory rhinitis with a wider variety of foods, which can be uncomfortable.
• Other potential causes for a runny nose when eating include allergies and vasomotor or idiopathic rhinitis. The term “idiopathic” means there is no clear cause.
• Treatments for a runny nose after eating vary, from avoiding trigger foods to using medications such as antihistamines or decongestants. Individuals with severe allergies may need to carry an epinephrine auto-injector for emergencies.

The medical term for a runny nose is rhinorrhea. If a person’s nose runs while eating and they do not have an allergy, they may have gustatory rhinitis, which is a type of nonallergic rhinitis.

This article explores the various factors that can cause a runny nose while eating.

Gustatory rhinitis

When a person’s nose runs after eating certain foods, but they do not have an allergy, it is referred to as gustatory rhinitis.

Gustatory rhinitis affects many people after they eat hot or spicy foods. When a person eats these foods, a nerve called the trigeminal sensory nerve is stimulated, which causes the nose to run.

Vasomotor rhinitis

Gustatory rhinitis is a specific type of vasomotor rhinitis, also called idiopathic rhinitis. This is a type of runny nose that is not triggered by an allergen but by certain environmental and physical changes that cause the lining of the nose to become swollen.

Other triggers for vasomotor rhinitis that could affect someone while eating include:

• certain odors, such as perfume, cigarette smoke, and paint fumes
• weather changes, including temperature, humidity, and air pressure
• hormonal changes
• exercise
• changes in emotions

Some medications and the overuse of nasal decongestant sprays can also cause nonallergic rhinitis.

Alongside a runny nose, those may experience symptoms such as:

• congestion
• sneezing
• postnasal drip
• headaches
• feeling pressure in the face
• coughing

Allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is a condition affecting up to 60 million people in the United States. People can experience it seasonally or year-round.

Typically, environmental triggers can cause symptoms, such as those from dust mites, pollen, or pet dander.

While food allergies do not typically cause a runny nose, they can lead to nasal congestion and other symptoms that usually appear within 2 hours of consuming a particular food.

Allergic rhinitis can cause the following symptoms:

• a runny or stuffy nose
• itchy eyes, mouth, throat, or skin
• dry eyes
• watering eyes
• sneezing
• fatigue

Severe food allergies can become a medical emergency. In some cases, a food allergy may cause anaphylaxis, which is a life threatening allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis: Symptoms and what to do

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening. The symptoms develop suddenly and include:

• hives
• swelling of the face or mouth
• wheezing
• fast, shallow breathing
• a fast heart rate
• clammy skin
• anxiety or confusion
• dizziness
• vomiting
• blue or white lips
• fainting or loss of consciousness

If someone has these symptoms:

1. Check whether they are carrying an epinephrine pen. If they are, follow the instructions on the side of the pen to use it.
2. Dial 911 or the number of the nearest emergency department.
3. Assist the person in moving from a sitting position to lying down. If they have vomited, turn them onto their side.
4. Stay with them until the emergency services arrive.

Some people may need more than one epinephrine injection. If the symptoms do not improve in 5 to 15 minutes, or they come back, use a second pen if the person has one.

Diagnosis

If a person suspects that a food allergy or allergic rhinitis is the cause of their runny nose, a doctor may perform:

• a skin prick test or patch test, which tests for allergic reactions on the skin’s surface
• an intradermal test, which involves injecting the skin to see if there is a reaction
• a blood test, such as a RAST or ELISA, which checks a person’s blood for antibodies to specific allergens

If doctors cannot identify any allergens, they may diagnose a person with gustatory or vasomotor rhinitis.

Treatment for a runny nose

The treatment of rhinitis will depend on several factors, including the trigger for the condition.

Treating gustatory rhinitis

If a person has gustatory rhinitis that only occurs when they eat certain foods, avoiding those foods may alleviate the symptoms entirely. However, it is up to the individual to decide whether they want to do this.

While gustatory rhinitis can be uncomfortable, it is not a serious condition. Many people continue to eat spicy food despite it giving them a runny nose because they enjoy the food.

However, if many foods trigger the symptoms or they are very disruptive, a person may benefit from using medication to manage gustatory rhinitis. Some options include:

• saline nasal sprays or rinses, which wash mucus from the nose
• ipratropium bromide nasal spray, which people can use before meals to prevent a runny nose

People can use decongestant sprays for gustatory rhinitis, but only for short periods of time. Using them for more than 7 to 10 days can lead to rebound congestion.

Allergic and vasomotor rhinitis

A person may be able to prevent the symptoms of allergic rhinitis by avoiding the specific allergens that cause it. A doctor can help determine which substances a person is allergic to by performing skin or blood tests.

People can treat both allergic and nonallergic rhinitis with:

• Antihistamines: The most common treatment for allergic reactions is antihistamines. These drugs are available in various forms, including tablets, nasal sprays, eye drops, and creams.
• Decongestants: Decongestant medication can reduce symptoms of a blocked or stuffy nose.
• Nasal sprays: Sprays containing decongestants or corticosteroids may also be useful for relieving sinus blockages and inflammation, but people should not use them long-term.
• Immunotherapy: A doctor may recommend immunotherapy treatment for severe allergies.

Decongestants are not suitable for everyone. A person should talk with their doctor before taking these medications if they are pregnant or have any of the following:

• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• glaucoma
• hyperthyroidism

If a person has severe allergies, they may need to carry around an epinephrine shot for emergency use.

Summary

There are many reasons why a person might experience a runny nose while eating. Some causes are allergic reactions, while others are unrelated to an allergy, such as gustatory rhinitis.

Avoiding triggers, such as spicy food, may help people with gustatory rhinitis. However, for some people, the enjoyment of their food is worth experiencing this symptom.

People with more severe symptoms that occur during most or all meals should consult a doctor, as well as those who may have a food allergy or other underlying condition.

 

• Allergy
• Respiratory
• Ear, Nose, and Throat
• Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today 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.

• Food allergy. (2023).https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/food/
• Hay fever. (2020).https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/hay-fever/
• Medications. (n.d.).https://acaai.org/allergies/management-treatment/allergy-immunotherapy/medications/
• Non-allergic rhinitis. (2022).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-allergic-rhinitis/
• Wahid NWB, et al. (2023). Rhinitis medicamentosa.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538318/

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Medically reviewed by Sirisha Yellayi, DO — Written by Lori Smith, MSN, BSN, WHNP-BC — Updated on January 16, 2026

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