Sneezing While Eating? It Might Be Rhinitis, Not Just a Cold – Here’s What You Need to Know!

You may experience a scratchy throat, sneezing, or a stuffy nose when the weather becomes dry. These symptoms are similar to the common cold, making it easy to mistake this as a cold. It’s good to reconsider whether it’s a cold or rhinitis. The symptoms of rhinitis can vary significantly among individuals and can be caused by various factors, making early treatment essential. If you have rhinitis, your nose is often in a poor state, filled with mucus, or quickly developing sinusitis, making it prone to becoming chronic.

What’s different from a cold?

A cold is caused by a viral infection, especially when the cold virus is prevalent. It is easily caught in environments with low humidity, dryness, or a significant temperature difference, particularly in spring and fall. Typically, symptoms progress sequentially, starting with chills or body aches, followed by a fever, sore throat, and runny nose, among other typical stages. Cold symptoms usually last for about 1-2 weeks before recovery.

Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis has symptoms similar to colds, such as sneezing, clear nasal discharge, congestion, and itching. If these symptoms persist for over a week, suspecting rhinitis over a common cold is necessary. If the substance causing the allergic symptoms doesn’t disappear, the symptoms continue and may become chronic.

If left untreated from childhood, it can cause suffering in adulthood

Children with atopic dermatitis or asthma are more likely to develop allergic rhinitis. These conditions are usually lifelong, and it’s better not to expect them to improve over time. If you delay or neglect treatment, thinking it’s just a cold, it’s common to continue suffering even after reaching adulthood. Therefore, it’s crucial to manage rhinitis thoroughly from childhood.

Excessive runny nose when eating?

Having a runny nose when eating spicy or hot food is a natural phenomenon caused by the stimulation of the nasal mucosa. A significant reason for increased nasal discharge is the creation of water vapor as hot steam inside the nose cools rapidly. However, if you have a runny nose to the extent that it interferes with eating, you should suspect “vasomotor rhinitis.” Vasomotor rhinitis is when nasal congestion and runny nose occur due to non-specific external stimuli such as spicy and hot food.

Use saline solution for nasal irrigation

When cleaning your nose, you should always use a saline solution. Using other solutions can damage the nasal mucosa. If the nasal irrigator is not properly sterilized, it can cause bacterial infection, so it’s recommended to sterilize it frequently with boiling water. Also, if you wash your nose too vigorously, the saline solution can go into your ears and cause otitis media, so it’s essential to do it correctly.

It could be sinusitis

Sinusitis, or “paranasal sinusitis,” refers to the accumulation of pus due to inflammation. The paranasal sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity through small passages, naturally ventilating the nasal cavity and discharging secretions. However, inflammation occurs when bacteria and viruses infiltrate this process, causing the mucous membrane to swell or preventing the nasal discharge from draining, leading to paranasal sinusitis. Sinusitis, like rhinitis or cold, is not easily distinguishable by the general public. For diagnosis, imaging tests such as X-rays or endoscopies may be conducted depending on the severity of the symptoms.

Frequent recurrence of rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis often recurs and worsens, leading to frequent emergency room visits or repeated hospital admissions. It can even result in school or work absences. It’s a condition that can potentially lower the quality of life due to various restrictions. Many people think the allergy is cured if the symptoms improve after short-term treatment. However, as it often occurs due to genetic or environmental factors, it’s essential to treat the root cause consistently.

Medication is only temporary

Most rhinitis is treated and managed by symptomatic treatment, which operates the symptoms. If you are prescribed antihistamine drugs for quick treatment, you may experience side effects such as drowsiness and decreased concentration, and the symptoms may not improve significantly. Especially in acute rhinitis, symptoms may temporarily subside with medication but often reappear. Many patients give up due to the recurring symptoms despite continuous treatment.

Pay close attention to your surroundings

Rhinitis can develop into complications if left untreated for a long time, so diagnosing and treating it correctly in the early stages is essential. Along with treatment, managing environmental factors to prevent rhinitis is also necessary. Maintaining an appropriate indoor and body temperature is recommended, and you should boost your immunity through adequate rest and balanced meals. Washing your hands after going out and using a humidifier to keep indoor humidity above 50% can also help.

Drink warm water and sword bean tea frequently

Drinking warm water or warm teas like sword bean tea and jujube tea, good for rhinitis, can also be effective. Sword bean tea contains histidine and urease, which have excellent anti-inflammatory effects and effectively relieve rhinitis symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. Also, wearing scarves or hats minimizes exposure to the cold wind on windy days.