Why do I have a runny nose when I eat? It fills up with mucus as soon as I eat something and has been doing so for about a year

Hello,

There is a phenomenon called gustatory rhinitis: the ingestion of food (generally spicy) triggers a nasal discharge by reflex. We all have this reaction, more or less pronounced. It is the same reaction that makes the eyes water or sting with hot peppers.

If the reaction to hot peppers is classic, it is not exclusive: it can be triggered by other substances such as coffee, tea, chocolate or even acidic foods such as tomatoes, vinegar or citrus fruits. I obviously cannot confirm that this is your case, but it is a possible diagnosis.

It can also be an allergic rhinitis, but it would probably be linked to a single food (or family).

In both cases, the simplest technique is to not expose yourself to the triggering foods. You can keep a diary of foods and symptoms to better understand which ones are causing the rhinitis.

I hope this information helps you.

Perfect, I forgot a "classic" trigger: alcohol

As far as medication is concerned, a nasal spray can be used, but it is on prescription.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate.