Holding back a sneeze can, in rare cases, lead to serious consequences such as a brain aneurysm, throat injury, or lung issues. This warning has been echoed by experts.
Sneezing is a protective reflex that helps clear irritants from the nose. The pressure generated in the airways during a sneeze can far exceed that of intense physical activity. Medical professionals note that air speeds during sneezing range from about 5 meters per second to roughly 150 kilometers per hour.
People often try to stop a sneeze by pinching the nose, pulling the ear, or lifting the tongue to the roof of the mouth. These actions momentarily stimulate the trigeminal nerve, which plays a key role in triggering the sneeze reflex. Conversely, covering the mouth or nose while sneezing can increase airway pressure significantly—five to twenty times higher than an unimpeded sneeze. When there is no outlet, this surge can stress the eyes, ears, or blood vessels. Although rare, there have been reports of brain aneurysms, throat injuries, and lung problems linked to suppressing a sneeze.
Experts from The Conversation suggest that the best approach is to minimize the sneeze reflex by addressing allergies or irritants, or simply sneeze into a tissue when possible.
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