General Medical Information

Gustatory Rhinitis

Shawn D. Newlands

Ingestion of food can cause rhinitis. There are several known causes of this reaction. Rhinitis can be caused by food allergy, resulting in IgE-mediated rhinitis. This reaction is rare, however, without systemic symptoms such as gastrointestinal symptoms, dermatologic symptoms (urticarial rash, facial swelling), or pulmonary symptoms (bronchospasm). In such cases, an allergy-mediated reaction is suspected and can be confirmed with skin testing. Consumption of alcoholic drinks also can cause rhinitis. The mechanism is believed to be the direct effect of the alcohol in dilating nasal vasculature. Hot or spicy food can cause profuse watery rhinorrhea through a vagally mediated mechanism.