sneezing

[ludwig]

Can stifling a sneeze (e.g by holding your nose) be dangerous?

[jenky]

If it was a really strong sneeze, your eyes might fly out of your head, and your brain could drop out of your ears........maybe.

[MunkeyBoy]

If you gently push the tip of your nose upwards when you feel that tingly sneezing moment comming on you will not sneeze. Try it, don't know why but it really works.

[nicola_red]

I hope not!!  I stifle sneezes when on the phone to customers on a daily basis. 

[barender]

Also try rubbing your tongue quickly backwards and forwards on the roof of your mouth - works all the time. (When you're in a situation where it's all quiet and you really don't want to sneeze!)

[jno]

or press down on your nose about halfway down. Given that sneezes seem to be prompted by tingling among nose hairs, this may like MunkyBoy's suggestion have the same effect as easing an itch by scratching it.

Did you know you can't keep your eyes open when you sneeze? It may be an old wives' tale, but I've never managed it.

[jake-the-peg]

Well I'm pretty sure I pulled a muscle in my throat doing this the other week. Hurt swallowing for about 5 or 6 days and sneezing was worse.

I'd also hate to think what your instantaneous blood pressure is when you hold back a sneeze!

[ludwig]

I do it all the time. I'm not one of those people who shouts 'WWHHAAAACCCHHHOOOOOOOOWWWWW!!! at the top of their lungs in the middle of the office or wherever, but I'm sure I heard somewhere that you can burst a bloodvessel in your eye or brain or something. Just trying to ascertain if that's a myth or not.

 

[janelle_ire]

yeah it can damage your ears

[kazzee69]

I was reading an article a few weeks back about the little things we do that we don't realise have health consequences. One of the examples was 'holding in a sneeze'. Our body needs to sneeze to release bacteria so therefore holding a sneeze in we are keeping the bacteria inside our body's. As they say 'better out than in'.

[Rodge]

The reason you can't avoid closing your eyes when you sneeze is that it prevents your eyeballs shooting of their sockets.  It is a bodily safety mechanism, but a bit dodgy when you're driving, I've found.