Background: Gustatory rhinitis is a type of nonallergic rhinitis that is usually associated with ingestion of hot or spicy foods. Characteristics of this condition and its impact on food choices have not been studied.
Objective: To survey individuals regarding causative foods, association with atopic conditions, and food avoidance behaviors for gustatory rhinitis.
Methods: An original, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to children and adults who were seen in a busy outpatient dermatology clinic. Atopic history, frequency of rhinorrhea after food ingestion, intake of foods associated with gustatory rhinitis, symptom severity, and food avoidance were evaluated.
Results: Of the 571 participants who completed the survey, 396 (69%) indicated at least 1 food resulted in gustatory rhinitis symptoms. Patients with allergic rhinitis (P < .001) and a history of smoking (P = .049) were more likely to have experienced gustatory rhinitis. Bread (6%) and hot chili peppers (49%) represented the least and most common foods identified, respectively. A total of 65% of patients who experienced gustatory rhinitis never avoided the causative food, whereas 46% were never bothered by their symptoms. Patients who reported more causative foods were also more likely to use medications before eating to lessen their symptoms (P = .03).
Conclusion: The results presented herein suggest that almost all foods can be implicated, both children and adults develop this condition, and patients with a history of allergic rhinitis or smoking are more likely to report gustatory rhinitis symptoms. Most patients though do not avoid the causative food(s) and are not significantly bothered by symptoms.