From the Research
Yes, hot pot spicy soup can potentially cause the epiglottis to swell, leading to breathing obstruction in susceptible individuals, as supported by a recent case report 1 that highlights the risk of supraglottic thermal burns from ingesting excessively hot food or drink. This reaction, known as acute epiglottitis, can occur when extremely spicy or hot temperature foods irritate the throat tissues. The capsaicin in spicy foods and the thermal heat from very hot soup can trigger inflammation in sensitive individuals, causing the epiglottis (the flap that covers your windpipe during swallowing) to swell rapidly. Some key points to consider include:
- If you experience sudden throat pain, difficulty swallowing, drooling, muffled voice, or trouble breathing after consuming spicy hot pot, seek emergency medical attention immediately as this can become life-threatening.
- People with known sensitivities to spicy foods, pre-existing throat conditions, or allergies should be particularly cautious.
- The mechanism involves an inflammatory response where the body releases chemicals that cause blood vessels to dilate and tissues to swell in response to the irritant.
- While rare, this severe reaction is more likely in those with underlying sensitivities or when consuming extremely spicy broths at very high temperatures, as noted in a review of adult epiglottitis 2.
- Airway management is critical in cases of epiglottitis, with a systematic review and meta-analysis 3 highlighting the importance of prompt intervention to prevent airway compromise and mortality.
- A recent case report 4 also underscores the critical importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for acute epiglottitis in adults presenting with stridor and respiratory distress.