Barb669, I have wondered this for most of my adult life. I'm now 65 and my mother also had this issue. When I was about 28, it started and she said she had dealt with this. I just LOVE medical people who think it's the wine or the spices or that we ate too much. Why does it NEVER happen at home, not ever? I eat spicy food regularly and it doesn't happen, I drink wine sometimes but not much and it is equally at home, friend's houses and restaurants. Something else is happening because I've had friends who know me well comment that about 20 m inutes into being in the restaurant and eating that the sneezing begins. I think it has something to do with the air filtration system in the restaurant. IT'S NOT THE FOOD! I've dealt with this long enough to know that if I bring the same food home and drink the same amount of wine, nothing happens! It's our only little magical sneeze fest. No one seems to know what causes it and these trite answers from medical people who haven't dealt with it and really have no idea are not helpful. I will keep trying to find out. But I really believe there has to be something in the air circulation system.
I always have a runny nose when I eat out. Don't have a clue why, but your not alone. There has to be something we are eating that makes us have allergies.
Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Sneezing in restaurants can be due to dust, molds, AC, or due to food sensitivities to a particular type of food. Another possibility is gustatory rhinitis which is triggered the maximum by hot spicy food and alcohol. Usually food items in restaurants are more heavy on oils and spices. Sneezing can also be a response to distended stomach and usually one eats more when one goes out for a meal.
Do discuss this with your doctor and get yourself examined. Maybe an allergy test should be done. Take care!