Gustatory Rhinitis

Rhinitis is a common condition, which is characterized by runny nose. The inner regions of the nose get inflamed and irritated, causing symptoms, like, post nasal drip, runny nose and nasal congestion. This is due to the inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose, which in turn produces large amounts of mucus. It is this excess mucus, that leads to the above mentioned symptoms. Gustatory rhinitis can be caused by various reasons, like, viral or bacterial infection or as a reaction to irritants. Basically, it affects the nasal lining, but, also affects the throat, eyes and ears. This condition can also cause headaches, earaches, poor concentration, sleeping problems, snoring, etc.

What is Gustatory Rhinitis?

Rhinitis is classified into three types - infective, non-allergic and allergic rhinitis. Infective rhinitis is caused by bacterial or viral infections, whereas allergic rhinitis occurs as allergic reactions triggered by allergens. Non-allergic rhinitis is further divided into different types as per the cause, which includes autonomic, vasomotor, hormonal, drug-induced, atrophic, gustatory rhinitis and rhinitis medicamentosa. So gustatory rhinitis is a type of non-allergic rhinitis, which is related to food or alcohol consumption. However, it cannot be considered as one of the many food allergies, as allergic causes are ruled out by necessary tests before a diagnosis of gustatory rhinitis is made. It occurs after consuming certain foods, especially hot and spicy ones. According to some studies, both children and adults may develop this condition, especially those, who are having allergic rhinitis and those smoke excessively.

Symptoms and Causes of Gustatory Rhinitis

One of the most common gustatory rhinitis symptoms is runny nose, which occurs after having certain spicy foods or drinks. Some people may also experience stuffy nose and sneezing. It has also been observed that foods with preservatives and dyes also cause gustatory rhinitis. Cold and hot foods may also trigger the symptoms of gustatory rhinitis. Usually, the nasal discharge will be clear and watery. This profuse nasal discharge is believed to be caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the nose, which is mediated by the vagal nerve that is stimulated by the consumption of food. In general, the symptoms start to appear, within a few hours of ingestion of the food. There are some people, who experience the symptom, as soon as they ingest food.

Gustatory rhinitis cure lies in avoiding the foods and drinks that trigger its symptoms. According to some health experts, antihistamines can reduce the intensity of nasal discharge and other symptoms, if taken one hour before mealtime. Another contention is that antihistamines cannot be effective in treating gustatory rhinitis, as the symptoms are not caused by histamines. In general, nasal corticosteroids, antihistamines, mucolytics and anticholinergic agents are used in the treatment of gustatory rhinitis. However, the treatment may vary from one patient to another, as it aims at treating the underlying cause, rather than the symptom. If you are having such symptoms, it is always better to consult a person who has specialized in otolaryngology to diagnose and treat the condition effectively.