What is sneezing?
Sneezing is a common reflex action that your body uses to clear the nose. It is often triggered by irritation in the nasal passages. Sneezing has several causes, ranging from simple environmental irritants to specific health conditions.
Allergens are one of the most common triggers of sneezing. These include substances like dust, pollen, mould, and pet dander. When your body's immune system identifies these typically harmless substances as threats, it can cause you to sneeze as your body tries to expel these organisms [1, 2].
In addition to allergens, sneezing can be triggered by viruses such as the common cold or flu. These viral infections can cause inflammation in your nasal passages, leading to sneezing [3, 4].
Certain nasal irritants can also cause you to sneeze. These include substances like pepper, certain perfumes, and even cold air. Inhaling these irritants can cause the sensitive mucous membranes inside your nose and throat to become irritated, leading to sneezing [2].
In some cases, sneezing can also be triggered by certain medications. For example, inhaling corticosteroids through a nasal spray can cause sneezing. Similarly, withdrawal from certain drugs, such as opioid narcotics, can also lead to sneezing [2].
In rare cases, sneezing can also be caused by certain medical conditions. For example, intractable sneezing, which is characterised by frequent, uncontrollable sneezing, can be caused by conditions such as psychogenic problems, cervical lymphadenitis, epilepsy, and allergy [5].
Ways to treat sneezing
Sneezing, often caused by allergies, can be managed through various methods. One of the most effective ways to prevent sneezing is to avoid triggers that cause you to sneeze [2].
Pharmacotherapy
Over-the-counter (OTC) anti-allergy pills or intranasal sprays can help control your symptoms. Common OTC antihistamine tablets include cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin, Alavert). Glucocorticosteroid intranasal sprays available over the counter include fluticasone propionate (Flonase) and triamcinolone acetonide (Nasacort) [1, 6].
Immunotherapy
For severe cases, immunotherapy, which involves injecting a small amount of the allergen into the body to build up resistance, may be suggested by an allergist [1].
Home Remedies
Simple changes at home can also reduce irritants. These include changing the filters on your furnace, washing linens in hot water, and using an air filtration machine. If you have pets that shed, consider grooming them regularly or removing them from the home if their fur is a significant trigger [2].
Alternative Treatments
Alternative treatments such as tea therapy, acupuncture, and natural products like Nigella sativa, which have anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic properties, can also be beneficial [7, 8].
Adverse effects of sneezing
One of the most common adverse effects of holding in a sneeze is increased pressure inside the respiratory system. This pressure can be about 5 to 24 times caused by the sneeze [9, 10].
This increased pressure can lead to various injuries. For instance, it can cause air to be sent into your ears, potentially leading to a ruptured eardrum and loss of hearing [10]. It can also redirect air back into your ears from your nasal passages, potentially carrying bacteria or infected mucus to your middle ear and causing an infection [10].
In rare cases, holding in a sneeze can damage blood vessels in your eyes, nose, or eardrums. The increased pressure caused by the sneeze being held in can cause blood vessels in the nasal passages to squeeze and burst, leading to superficial damage to your appearance, such as reddening in your eyes or nose [10].
Sneezing can also lead to injuries in certain situations. For example, the photic sneeze reflex, triggered by sudden exposure to bright light, can be dangerous when operating a car or other motor vehicle, as it can affect your ability to maintain control [11].
In some cases, substances like zolpidem, a medication used for short-term treatment of insomnia, can induce acute repetitive sneezes [12]. Certain sneezing powders can also cause accidental poisoning, leading to symptoms like gastrointestinal disturbances and syncope [13].
Can sneezing kill you?
Sneezing is a natural body response that helps to expel irritants from our nasal cavities. However, in certain circumstances, it can lead to adverse effects. While it's important to note that these instances are rare, they can be severe when they occur.
One of the potential dangers of sneezing is the increase in pressure inside the respiratory system. When a sneeze is held in, this pressure can increase to a level about 5 to 24 times that caused by the sneeze itself [9, 10]. This additional pressure can lead to various injuries.
For instance, holding in a sneeze can cause air to be sent into your ears, potentially leading to a ruptured eardrum and loss of hearing [10]. The redirected air can sometimes carry bacteria or infected mucus to your middle ear, causing an infection [10].
Another potential risk is the damage to blood vessels in your eyes, nose, or eardrums due to the increased pressure caused by holding in a sneeze [10]. In rare cases, this can lead to the rupturing of a brain aneurysm, a life-threatening injury that can cause bleeding in the skull around the brain [10].
Sneezing can also cause injuries to the diaphragm, the muscular part of your chest above your abdomen. In some cases, pressurised air can become trapped in the diaphragm, causing the lungs to collapse [10].
In addition to these physical injuries, sneezing can pose risks in certain situations. For example, the photic sneeze reflex, triggered by sudden exposure to bright light, can be dangerous when operating a car or other motor vehicle [11].
While these adverse effects can be severe, it's important to remember that they are rare. Sneezing is a normal body function that helps to keep us healthy by expelling irritants from our nasal cavities.