Q. My husband gets a runny nose each and every time he sits down to eat, and we are stymied as to why. He has consulted two doctors, but nothing they prescribed has helped.
We cannot sit down for a decent dinner anywhere, whether at home, friends’ homes or restaurants. We are both frustrated over this attack. It causes him much grief and interferes with him eating enough.
I hope you can give us a reasonable answer or suggest a cure.
A. Doctors call this condition “gustatory rhinitis.” It means runny nose triggered by eating.
Some physicians prescribe a nasal spray containing ipratropium (Atrovent). Others prefer to use antihistamines.
Irish doctors have experimented with botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, but the FDA has not approved this treatment for runny nose (Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Sept. 2008). Keeping a food diary may help identify particular foods that make this reaction worse.
