Holding in a sneeze can cause perforated eardrums, subcutaneous hemorrhage, and rupture of a brain aneurysm, which is harmful to your health.
Damaged blood vessels in the eyes or nose
Sneezing is the body’s first defense reaction against dirt and pollen entering the nostrils, repelling the risk of disease. This action can also carry many bacteria, spreading diseases like flu. Sick people may sneeze more often. To prevent disease transmission, people should cover their mouth with their elbow every time they sneeze.
The increased pressure when holding a sneeze can rupture blood vessels in the eyes or nose. Broken blood vessels in the eye can cause red eyes, subconjunctival hemorrhage, and a temporary patch of blood on the eye. These cases rarely occur, but people should not hold back their sneeze.
Ear infections
Sneezing helps remove dust, bacteria, mold, and other allergens and irritants from the nasal passages. Holding in a sneeze can push those irritants back into the ear, leading to infection. But the disease usually goes away on its own. Some cases of fetal infection lead to perforated eardrums if not treated promptly.
Rupture of a cerebral aneurysm
When there are signs of sneezing, a lot of pressure builds up in the lungs. The body holding in a sneeze will retain that pressure, which can cause a brain aneurysm to rupture. A cerebral aneurysm is a condition in which blood vessels inside the brain have bulging spots containing blood. Many people do not know they have this condition.
Rupture of the eardrum
If you hold back a sneeze, the pressure in the nose increases and enters the ear through the eustachian tube, leading to injury to the eardrum, or even perforation of the eardrum. This condition can also cause complications such as chronic ear infections, hearing loss, and bone infections behind the ear.
Air leak under the skin
The skin is composed of the epidermis and dermis, with subcutaneous tissue lying below the dermis. Subcutaneous emphysema is the phenomenon of generation or penetration of air into the subcutaneous layer. The smooth lumps on the skin make a crunching sound when pressed. Facial fractures, blunt trauma, and forceful coughing can often lead to subcutaneous emphysema. Medical literature records a person with subcutaneous emphysema on the right cheek after trying to suppress a sneeze.
People who hold in their sneezes and experience the above conditions should see a doctor. People who constantly sneeze can also be a sign of a serious health problem and should see a doctor to determine the cause.