If your nose starts running during a meal — especially if you're eating spicy food or a hot bowl of soup — it doesn't mean you are sick. And it doesn't mean you have a food allergy.
More likely, your runny nose is a sign of gustatory rhinitis. Rhinitis is a group of conditions that cause inflammation and swelling in the lining of your nose. Gustatory rhinitis is triggered by certain foods.
Read on to understand what's behind this reaction and when to seek medical attention.
What is gustatory rhinitis?
Gustatory rhinitis is a type of non-allergic rhinitis (irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nose). It is a nervous system response to a trigger — unlike allergic rhinitis, which is triggered by an immune reaction.
When you eat certain foods, something in the food stimulates the nerve endings in your mouth, nose and throat. In a natural reflex, those nerves respond by calling for more nasal secretions and mucus production.
In addition to a runny nose, gustatory rhinitis may also cause:
- Congestion and nasal swelling
- Perspiration
- Postnasal drip, which can lead to coughing
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
Gustatory rhinitis is not contagious and isn't typically associated with an underlying illness. However, if you have a cold or the flu, your nasal passages may already be inflamed, congested and producing more mucus. As a result, the symptoms of gustatory rhinitis may be more severe or come on more quickly.
Which foods are most likely to make your nose run?
Spicy or high-temperature foods, such as coffee or hot soup, are most likely to cause food-induced rhinitis.
With hot liquids, the high temperature may trigger sensory nerves. However, with spicy dishes, the trigger is an ingredient in the food.
Spicy foods often contain chemicals, such as capsaicin, which provide that spicy heat and stimulate sensory nerves. Common foods that can trigger gustatory rhinitis include:
- Black pepper
- Chili powder
- Curry
- Horseradish
- Hot peppers
- Hot sauce
- Onions
Gustatory rhinitis triggers can vary from person to person. Some people react to a very specific meal or ingredient, while others experience symptoms with a wider variety of foods. Some people never have a reaction.
Is it gustatory rhinitis or a food allergy?
Food allergies cause an immune reaction to a specific food. But if it is a mild reaction, the symptoms may be similar to what you'd experience with gustatory rhinitis. Any time you have symptoms or a physical reaction to food, it's critical to make sure it is not an allergy.
Gustatory rhinitis and food allergies differ in several ways, such as:
- Symptoms: Food allergies may cause a runny nose as gustatory rhinitis does. But they also typically cause more severe symptoms throughout the body, including itching, hives, swelling, vomiting or difficulty breathing.
- Timing: Gustatory rhinitis symptoms tend to begin when you eat the food and fade or go away when the meal ends. An allergic reaction may begin when a food is consumed or inhaled. But symptoms can also develop later and typically last beyond the meal.
- Triggers: A food allergy is triggered by a specific food allergen. Gustatory rhinitis can be triggered by many foods based on their spice level and temperature.
It is possible to have gustatory rhinitis and a food allergy. Symptoms can overlap, and seeing a medical professional is the best way to determine the underlying cause.
The signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, tongue swelling or throat tightness, require emergency medical attention and a call to 911.
When to see a doctor for food-induced rhinitis
If a runny nose is your only symptom and you do not display any signs of an allergic reaction, there is no immediate need to see a medical professional. However, you should contact your primary care physician (PCP) if your runny nose is ongoing or disruptive or you have other unexplained symptoms.
Your PCP can review your symptoms, help identify triggers and determine whether the issue is gustatory rhinitis or a different type of non-allergic rhinitis. They may also recommend a skin prick test to check for food allergies.
In rare, sometimes serious, cases, a runny nose can be a sign of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea — a condition involving brain fluid leaking through the nose. Signs of CSF rhinorrhea that suggest you need to seek medical care include:
- Constant nasal drainage, even when not eating
- Fluid leaking from just one nostril
- Other symptoms, such as a metallic taste, headaches or draining that gets worse when you bend or cough
Tips to manage gustatory rhinitis
Over-the-counter nasal rinses and sprays are not typically useful with gustatory rhinitis. If your symptoms are severe, your healthcare provider may recommend a prescription nasal spray.
To reduce food-induced rhinitis:
- Identify your triggers by keeping a food-and-symptom diary.
- Limit trigger foods to avoid bothersome symptoms.
You may not need to give up your favorite foods, but understanding your triggers and recognizing symptoms of a true food allergy can help you manage the problem safely.
