Is It Safe to Hold in a Sneeze?
Everyone holds in a sneeze from time to time. In this video, learn why doctors don’t recommend holding a sneeze.
Just about every little weird thing your body does (from hiccups to dreaming) has a purpose. Prime example: sneezing. This bizarre behavior is yet another way the body protects itself from intruders. In the case of sneezing, intruders are pollen, mold, powders, and infected mucous, to name a few. When the body detects these in your airways, it tries to force them out through a sneeze.
Instead of holding in a sneeze, simply cover your mouth and nose, preferably with your elbow. This “Dracula method” is recommended over covering your mouth with your hand because you’re less likely to touch something with the crook of your arm, so you’ll further reduce the spread of germs post-sneeze.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Cover your cough.
MedlinePlus. (2022). Sneezing.
Tiecks, F.P., et al. (1995). Effects of the Valsalva maneuver on cerebral circulation in healthy adults: a transcranial doppler study. Stroke.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. (2019). Can holding in a sneeze cause hearing damage?
