“Sneezing is a normal reaction and generally beneficial to your health” explains our allergist.
“A sneeze is a involuntary reflex of the body which generally occurs in response to irritation of the nasal mucous membranes. When foreign particlesviral infections, irritants, allergens or other irritating substances come into contact with the nasal mucosa, this can trigger a series of responses in the body, culminating in a sneeze.”explains Dr Frédéric Le Guillou, pulmonologist, allergist and president of the France Respiratory Health Association.
Expel the irritant through the nose
When nerve endings detect irritation, they send a signal to the brainmore precisely at the center of the sneeze located in the brainstem. “The brain responds by triggering a series of reactions to expel the irritant through the nose, The facial muscles contract, the airways temporarily close, and the diaphragm muscles contract abruptly,” continues the specialist. L’air is expelled quickly through the noseoften accompanied by momentary eye closure to protect the eyes from the potential irritant.
Don’t block your sneeze
“The sneeze is a normal reaction and generally beneficial for health. We must therefore respect it and not block it.”adds the doctor. In fact, holding back a sneeze can be potentially dangerous and can lead to complications.
►Increased pressure in the airways : “Holding in a sneeze can cause pressure to build up in the airways, which can potentially damage tissues or blood vessels in the nose, throat, ears or lungs.”
►Ear or sinus injuries : “The increased pressure in the airways during a sneeze can damage the ears, including causing a ruptured eardrum, especially if the mouth and nose are closed.”
►Increased intracranial pressure : “Holding in a sneeze can also increase pressure inside the skull, which could theoretically be dangerous for people with pre-existing medical conditions such as brain aneurysms or vascular diseases.”
►Damage in the chest area : “Holding in a sneeze can have consequences in the chest such as a tear in the diaphragm or a hemothorax.”
Sneezing in society
It is therefore recommended to not holding back a sneeze but rather let it happen naturally. “However, if you must absolutely hold back a sneeze in certain social or professional situations, it is preferable to do so gently releasing the pressurefor example by leaving your mouth slightly open to allow air to escape., concludes our interlocutor. In order to respect certain manners and good hygiene practices, turn slightly away from other people when you sneeze, especially if you are in a group. This reduces the risk of throwing germs on others. You can also use a tissue to cover your sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze into the crook of your elbow rather than your hands!
Thanks to Dr Frédéric Le Guillou, pulmonologist, allergist and president of the France Respiratory Health Association