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Stifling a sneeze can cause harm, including ruptured eardrums and increased risk of sinus or ear infections. However, the urban legends of brain aneurysms and popped eyeballs are not true. It’s best to sneeze into a tissue or elbow to avoid spreading germs.
Next time you feel the urge to stifle a sneeze, you might want to rethink. While sneezing can be unpleasant at times, people who try to choke on it can face some significant health consequences, particularly if the sneeze is forceful. You can try to avoid a sneeze when you get that itchy nose without causing harm, but those who close their mouths and pinch their nose while the sneeze is in progress can cause harm to themselves.
An urban legend is that those who choke on a sneeze risk brain aneurysms. Evidence suggests this is difficult to prove, and if it does occur at all, the rate of occurrence is extremely rare. Chances are you won’t suffer a brain aneurysm from choking on a sneeze.
A person who intends to stifle a sneeze is not at risk of having their eyeballs popped out. This is another urban legend associated with sneezing that actually has no truth behind it. You should be able to sneeze with much greater force than usual.
Stopping mid-sneeze is dangerous, however, because the energy from the sneeze and the fluids associated with it are attempting to exit your nostrils rapidly. In fact, the droplets can travel as fast as 100 mph (160.92 kph). Blinking your nose quickly in an attempt to stop a sneeze means fluid can back up into your sinuses and ears, especially your Eustachian tubes, the soft tubes that connect your middle ear to the back of your mouth. This can, at the very least, increase your risk of sinus or ear infections.
Furthermore, those who stifle a sneeze, especially a violent one, can risk injuring their eardrums. The force can cause ruptured eardrums, bleeding in the ears, and significant ear pain. Choking on a series of sneezes could result in retinal detachment, although this is rare.
While you shouldn’t stifle a sneeze, you should take precautions not to sneeze on others. Of course, bringing tissue to help stop the progress of the contagious droplets is your best bet. If, however, you’re out of tissue, sneeze into your inner elbow or upper arm, or directly into your hands. This isn’t the most hygienic method nor the preferred method of keeping other people healthy, but it’s a better option than choosing to choke your sneeze or sneeze on everyone else.
Stifling a sneeze can cause harm, but it doesn’t always do so. If you accidentally forget not to choke on your sneeze, chances are you’ll be fine. However, as some risks do apply, it makes sense to try and get into the habit of letting go with a good “Achoo!”
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