Buzz
Few things are as frustrating as the impending sneeze that vanishes just before you can let it out—especially when relief never comes. While sneezing is uncomfortable, there are times when people try to suppress it on purpose. Whether you're trying to avoid spreading germs or prevent drawing attention, be cautious—holding back a sneeze can result in injury.
Normally, trying to stop a sneeze only causes brief discomfort. However, in rare cases, the effects can be much more serious, including ruptured blood vessels, damaged eardrums, or even vertigo, which leaves you feeling dizzy and off-balance. In extreme situations, the consequences may extend to injuries like diaphragm tears, throat harm, and ear infections. Older adults may even risk fractured ribs.
How does something as simple as a sneeze cause such serious problems? As per Healthline, a sneeze expels mucus from your nose and mouth at speeds reaching up to 100 mph, powered by significant pressure in your respiratory system. When you try to hold it in, that pressure can increase by five to twenty-four times more than it would have been if you had just sneezed.
While the potential health risks may sound alarming, the reality is that most suppressed sneezes don't lead to any serious problems. Dr. Jason Abramowitz, an otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates, explained in a blog post, “Although severe injuries are rare, it’s usually more comfortable and safer to just let the sneeze happen.”
Your body typically has a good reason for signaling the need to sneeze. The act itself removes allergens, germs, and dust through rapid bursts of air from the nose and mouth. A 2012 study [PDF] published in The FASEB Journal also found that sneezing aids in resetting the nasal passage, refreshing the nose’s cilia lining afterwards.
Rather than stifling a sneeze, try using a tissue to cover your nose and mouth. If tissues aren’t available, use your elbow to shield them. Sneezing into your hands is not advisable unless you can wash them right away.
