WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT The man in his 30s tore a hole in his throat after pinching his nose and closing his mouth to try and stop a sneeze – and doctors have warned against doing the same
A doctor has issued an important health warning after a man tore a hole in his throat from trying to stop a sneeze.
The man, who has not been named, had pinched his nose and closed his mouth when he was about to sneeze – and ended up with a 2mm hole in his windpipe. Now, researchers documenting the case have warned about the dangers of trying to stifle sneezes by closing off airways, as this can cause the pressure inside to be 20 times stronger than usual. The impact of this sudden rise in pressure can cause a number of injuries as the air tries to escape, including ruptured eardrums, aneurysms and potentially broken ribs.
In the latest case study, published in the British Medical Journal, detailed how the man in his 30s “experienced severe neck pain immediately” after attempting the stop the sneeze while driving. He was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where an X-ray discovered a tracheal tear. Doctors kept him in hospital for observation, and he was treated with codeine and paracetamol. The man had a history of allergic rhinitis, a common condition which causes redness and swelling inside the nose. It can cause allergens like dust, pollen, mould, flakes from animal skin, or food.
Research author Dr Rasads Misirovs warned that sneezes are an important bodily function that expel irritants such as viruses, and that you shouldn’t try to stop them. Instead, you should use your hands or elbow to stop the mucus and saliva potentially spreading germs to others. He told BBC Scotland News: “We should gently cover the face either with our hand or inner side of elbow to prevent the irritants such as viruses, together with saliva, mucus reaching others around us.
The doctor said there are other techniques people can use to try and stifle sneezes that do not involve shutting off the nose and mouth. He said he personally tends to press a thumb on his upper lip just under the nose “for a few seconds”, a movement which helps stop a sneeze without obstructing the nasal passage.
It follows a similar case in 2018 where a man was left barely able to speak or swallow after trying to stop a sneeze. A scan revealed air bubbles in the deep tissue and muscles of his chest. His case was outlined in BMJ Case Reports. Doctors wrote: “The patient was discharged with advice to avoid obstructing both nostrils while sneezing. Halting sneezing via blocking the nostrils and mouth is a dangerous manoeuvre, and should be avoided.”
