Sneezing and runny nose after drinking cold beverages: causes and solutions
Jul 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
Sneezing and a runny nose after drinking cold beverages may be caused by nasal mucosal sensitivity, cold stimulation, vasomotor rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, or sinusitis. This condition can usually be managed by avoiding cold drinks, keeping warm, and medication. In daily life, one should maintain warmth, avoid frequent exposure to cold stimuli, and strengthen physical fitness through regular exercise.
Sneezing and runny nose after drinking cold beverages may be caused by nasal mucosal sensitivity, cold stimulation, vasomotor rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, etc. Usually, this can be managed by avoiding cold drinks, keeping warm, and medication. If symptoms persist, timely medical attention is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Nasal mucosal sensitivity: The nasal mucosa is sensitive to cold stimulation. The low temperature of cold drinks can irritate the nasal mucosa, causing sneezing and runny nose. It is recommended to reduce or avoid drinking cold beverages and choose warm drinks instead to minimize irritation to the nasal mucosa.
2. Cold stimulation: The cold nature of beverages can cause nasal blood vessels to constrict and then dilate, increasing mucus secretion and resulting in sneezing and a runny nose. It is advisable to drink slowly, allowing the cold beverage to warm slightly in the mouth before swallowing, to reduce nasal irritation.
3. Vasomotor rhinitis: Autonomic nervous system dysfunction can cause nasal mucosal vasodilation and increased glandular secretion upon cold drink stimulation, leading to sneezing, runny nose, often accompanied by nasal congestion and itching. Symptoms tend to worsen in cold conditions. Treatment primarily involves using medications such as budesonide nasal spray, azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray, and montelukast sodium tablets as directed by a physician.
4. Allergic rhinitis: In individuals with an allergic constitution, certain components in cold drinks or cold stimulation may trigger allergic reactions, causing sneezing and a runny nose, often accompanied by clear nasal discharge, nasal itching, and itchy eyes. Doctors generally recommend treatment with loratadine tablets, mometasone furoate nasal spray, and levocetirizine hydrochloride tablets.
5. Sinusitis: Inflammation in the sinuses can be exacerbated by cold drinks, causing mucosal contraction or swelling at the sinus openings, impairing drainage, and leading to sneezing and a runny nose. This is often accompanied by thick nasal discharge, headache, and reduced sense of smell. Treatment should follow medical advice to use medications such as cefuroxime axetil tablets, eucalyptus oil enteric soft capsules, and budesonide nasal spray.
In daily life, it is important to stay warm, avoid frequent exposure to cold stimuli, and engage in physical exercise to enhance overall health. If symptoms occur frequently or affect daily life, prompt medical consultation is necessary for accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.
