Many people suffer from sneezing and runny nose after eating, especially if they are eating out or eating at a party or a get together. This condition is annoying and embarrassing but by understanding the cause of sneezing after eating; people can treat the cause to prevent this embarrassing condition. Sneezing and runny nose mostly occur due to allergens on exposure but some people have this after eating. This condition is an illness such as a cold or flu and by this way body removes irritants such as dust or pollen. Sometimes, this condition can become an irritation. Your nasal passages can also be made swollen, chafed (from using tissues) or sore by this condition and it even possibly cause nosebleeds.

Rhinorrhea is the medical name for a runny nose. In runny nose condition, discharge of an unusually large amount of nasal fluid takes place, i.e. mucus or sinus and the discharge may be colored or thick.

It is one of the major symptoms of common cold and also of allergies but a runny nose while eating is a little different from usual Rhinorrhea. A runny nose while eating is known as Gustatory Rhinorrhea. The autonomic nervous system acquires stimulated while eating which resulted in the discharge of the compound acetylcholine. Acetylcholine leads to the raised production of saliva, stomach acid and nasal mucus. Generally, your nose runs after spicy meals but in the case of runny nose while eating, even non spicy food makes a runny nose. As a runny nose during/after eating is not life threatening condition and can be treated, there is no need to become nervous about this.

Causes of Runny Nose While Eating:

Scar tissue is the one cause for runny nose. An excessive mucus secretion from the nose takes place in this condition. The continuous drip from nose while eating can be due to the production of extreme amount of mucus or sinus. Scar tissues may occur if you ever had a broken nose or surgery, like, rhinoplasty. In addition, a runny nose while eating may be provoked by the taste or smell of food but these may not be the only factors. When people exposed to odors such as perfumes, scented candles, paint fumes, smoke, diesel exhaust, etc, the chances of a runny nose may take place. Hormonal changes especially during menstruation, changes in the air temperature like exposed to air conditioning, humidity, emotional stress and certain common medications are the other factors related to runny nose.

Causes of Sneezing After Eating:

Many trigger factors could be responsible for sneezing but sneezing after eating is mostly caused due to eating of food that contains certain substances. Some of the causes and ways of occuring 'sneezing' are as under:

Gustatory Rhinitis: It is a nonallergic rhinitis which mostly linked with the eating of anything hot or spicy. Cold foodstuffs or drinks can also cause sneezing after eating. People get a runny nose in this condition and as the nose starts sneezing as the nose gets congested. To get rid of any irritation, the body starts sneezing.

Food Allergies: If you are allergic to a specific type of foodstuff then it must be causing sneezing after eating. Try to memorize your last meal that you ate and it caused the sneezing after the meal. Also, note down the time and date of the occurrence of sneezing in a diary after eating to find out what triggers this reaction. It can be either a preparation, or the ingredient in the food preparation. You will be capable to understand better your food allergies after sometime and so you can prevent the foodstuffs that are allergic to you.

Distended Stomach: Distended stomach is a symptom of abdominal swelling and is another reason for sneezing. Other reasons are also possible for a distended stomach. Due to eating large meals which can cause abdominal pain and bloating, sneezing after eating may take place. Try to eat food in small and frequent meals to test your allergy to large meals.

Air Borne Allergies: Sneezing after eating may take place due to some air borne allergy. Pollens, grains, dust, some smell may cause allergy. Check if you are allergic to your pet dog or someone's perfume or the air freshener. Observe if you get sneezing after eating meals when it is a specific weather or season. You will have to clean the dining room if sneezing takes place due to allergic reaction.

Treatment of Sneezing and Runny Nose after Eating:

If you have violently and continuously sneezing and runny nose then consult your doctor. Tests will be conducted by your doctor by taking a swab of your nose. These tests will help you to determine the causes behind these conditions. The causes may be allergenic or scar tissue. On a doctor's prescription, you can take an antihistamine or use a nasal spray before you start eating for allergy relief. This will help in stopping a runny nose and sneezing. However, antihistamines have some side effects like drowsiness and also it affects people in different ways. So, experiment with a few brands before starting to take antihistamines as medication to see which medication suits you best. Also, take care about antihistamine pills and nasal sprays because they should not be taken at the same time and neither should either of them be continued for a long time.

Take these medicines only when you are going out for special occasions such as when you have to eat encircled by people. Also, you can keep a packet of tissues handy when you are eating socially. Try to evade hot and spicy food, especially Mexican or Thai. When you are dining out, keep away from caffeinated beverages to prevent worse condition. If you are suffering from sneezing after eating then make sure that you carry some tissues along with you when you going out.

Home remedies for Runny Nose & Sneezing:

• Use Nettle to Soothe:
  • The herb nettle is proven to relieve nasal passage inflammation, congestion and itchy feelings within the nose. It generally works almost immediately. There are many ways to take nettle. By boiling nettle in water, you can make a nettle tea. It is easy to take nettle supplements which found at health food stores.
• Change Your Diet:
  • You can add natural elements into your diet that will help reduce sneezing or a runny nose. These items help to reduce the release amount of histamine. Orange juice or another citrus juice like grapefruit juice helps for this as it contains a lot of vitamin C (vitamin C helps reduce histamines). As vegetables are rich in bioflavonoids, eating large quantities of vegetables can also help to reduce the release amount of histamines.
• Use Salt Solution In Your Nose:
  • For decades, saline solution has been used to ease runny nose symptoms that have to do with illness or allergies. Saline solution may be uncomfortable at first but will actually help you by removing allergens, drying out secretions and pretty much rinse out your nostrils. You can make this solution by dissolving 1/2 teaspoon of salt into an 8-ounce glass of filtered warm water. For proper application, use eye or nose dropper.

Try to understand and determine the causes of your sneezing and runny nose after eating that can any one of the above possible causes. To find the allergen, use any of the above mentioned ways and so evade the annoying symptoms of runny nose and sneezing after eating.

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