Eating spicy food can cause your nose to run as a natural defense mechanism to protect your mucous membranes from what the body perceives as an irritant. The active ingredient in chili peppers, capsaicin, stimulates nerve endings in the nose and sinuses, leading the body to produce more mucus. Read on to find out why this happens.
While chilies might seem intense, they not only enhance the flavor of food but can also make your nose run, even while you’re eating. Though this is a common reaction, it can also be a symptom of other conditions.
Medically referred to as rhinorrhea, a runny nose after eating spicy food can also indicate food allergies, a condition known as allergic rhinitis. Experts explain that the characteristic spiciness of chili peppers comes from capsaicin, which creates a burning sensation when it comes in contact with the body’s tissues.
Why Does Chili Burn?
Chili plants produce capsaicin in their fruits as a defense mechanism to deter mammals from eating them. The compound is so potent that pepper spray made from it is considered more incapacitating than tear gas, according to a report by the European Parliament’s Scientific and Technological Options Assessment.
Capsaicin is the most well-known irritant in spicy foods, but there’s another compound, allyl isothiocyanate, found in radishes, horseradish, wasabi, and mustard, that also has a sharp, pungent kick. This compound is used in insecticides and fungicides.
How Does This Affect Your Runny Nose?
Both capsaicin and allyl isothiocyanate irritate the mucous membranes, which protect the lungs and other body cavities from harmful agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This irritation leads to the production of excess mucus.
What Are the Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis?
When your nose runs after eating certain foods, it could be a sign of allergic rhinitis, a condition caused by food allergies. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis can include:
- A stuffy or congested feeling in the nose
- Postnasal drip (excess mucus in the back of the throat)
- Sneezing
- Coughing
Other Causes of a Runny Nose After Eating Spicy Food
Apart from allergic rhinitis, several other factors can contribute to a runny nose when eating spicy food, including the type of food, food allergies, seasonal allergies, and other triggers. Here are a few examples:
Gustatory Rhinitis
Gustatory rhinitis is when your nose runs after eating spicy food without other allergy symptoms. This condition occurs when a nerve called the trigeminal sensory nerve is activated, often by foods with strong spices like chilies. You can manage gustatory rhinitis by avoiding trigger foods.
Food Allergies
Food allergies affect a large number of people worldwide and can cause symptoms that range from mild to severe. Nasal congestion is one of the many possible signs, usually occurring within one or two hours after eating the offending food. In severe cases, food allergies can trigger anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of a food allergy may include:
- Nasal congestion
- Wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath
- Throat tightness or hoarseness
- Hives, itchy skin
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Body swelling
- Dizziness
Vasomotor Rhinitis
Also known as idiopathic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis is a type of runny nose that is not triggered by allergens. Instead, it is caused by environmental or physical factors that lead to swelling in the nasal lining.
What to Do About a Runny Nose After Eating Chili?
Spicy foods can cause tears and a runny nose, but drinking water won’t help much because capsaicin is oily and doesn’t dissolve easily. Research published in Physiology & Behavior suggests that milk can be a more effective remedy. The protein casein in milk binds to capsaicin molecules and helps wash them away, much like detergent removes grease.
