A stuffy nose is not a common side effect of ingesting caffeine. The most common side effects of using caffeine include nausea, increased heart rate, alertness, restlessness and sleeplessness. It is possible to develop a stuffy nose from consuming caffeine if you're allergic to the substance. Drugs.com states that caffeine can trigger an allergic reaction, which will release various substances that cause inflammation in your sinus cavity. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned that you may have a caffeine allergy.
Cause
A stuffy nose is the result of swelling in your nasal passages from increased levels of histamine. When you ingest caffeine, your body's immune system reacts to the drug as if it were going to cause harm to your body. This triggers the production of immunoglobulin E antibodies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. As IgE antibodies enter your bloodstream, mast cells respond by creating histamine, a hormone that protects against infection. Histamine is created in soft tissues, such as your sinuses, lungs and skin. As your sinuses become inflamed, they block your ability to breathe and drain fluid from your nose.
Symptoms
A stuffy nose can cause a wide range of symptoms. The inflammation in the nasal passages causes pressure to build in the sinus cavity, leading to pain, facial tenderness and headaches. Sinus pressure may be felt in your ears, eyes, cheekbones, upper teeth and forehead. If your sinus cavity remains congested, you are at risk of developing a sinus infection. If you develop a fever, call your doctor to be evaluated. Other symptoms that you may develop from caffeine, along with a stuffy nose, include skin rashes, asthma and digestive complications.
Treatment
Participate in allergy testing to determine the cause of the reaction. Once identified, you will need to eliminate and avoid the consumption of the identified allergen. A stuffy nose from a caffeine allergy is commonly treated with an antihistamine, decongestant and pain reliever. Antihistamines block the amount of histamine in your sinuses, decongestants reduce the swelling and pain relievers help treat sinus pressure pain. Use pain relievers that are caffeine free.
Consideration
Caffeine is found in various foods, beverages and medications. The nasal congestion may be the result of an allergy to another ingredient. For example, most people drink coffee with milk. If you have a milk allergy, nasal congestion can develop from IgE antibodies and histamine production, unrelated to caffeine.
