Sneezing may seem like a harmless act, but it can lead to some surprising and serious injuries. While most of us think of sneezing as just a way to clear our noses, the act can sometimes go wrong and even require medical attention.
A study that reviewed medical cases from 1945 to 2018 found 52 reported instances of injuries caused by sneezing. Most of these injuries involved men and occurred in individuals with no other health issues. The key factor? Suppressing the sneeze by pinching the nose and closing the mouth. This can create pressure in the airways, leading to problems that can be more severe than just a tickle in the throat.
According to the study, “Sneezing injuries are rare events but can be life-threatening.” When someone tries to hold in a sneeze, the pressure doesn’t just disappear. Instead, it gets redirected to the body’s soft tissues, which can lead to various injuries. This is a phenomenon explained by Boyle’s Law, which states that pressure increases as volume decreases. In plain terms, when you hold in a sneeze, you build up pressure in your lungs, which can cause harm.
In an unusual case documented in the study, a 34-year-old man ended up in the hospital after suppressing a sneeze. He experienced a strange popping sensation in his neck. Shortly after, he found it painful to swallow, noticed a change in his voice, and heard crackling sounds in his neck and chest. Doctors discovered he had ruptured the back of his throat. This kind of injury is often linked to severe trauma or heavy coughing but can also occur from stopping a sneeze.
Fortunately, the man received treatment and was able to recover, but he was advised to avoid blocking both nostrils while sneezing in the future. Experts emphasize that such an act can lead to complications, including serious conditions like pneumomediastinum, which is air leaking into the chest area, or even rupture of the eardrum.
Overall, it’s clear that while sneezing is a natural reflex, trying to suppress it can lead to unexpected and potentially dangerous consequences. It’s always best to let a sneeze out rather than hold it in.
For more details on sneezing-related injuries and their implications, check out more from the BMJ Case Reports.
