MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Sneezing

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Sneezing

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names Definition Considerations Causes	Home Care When to Contact a Medical Professional What to Expect at Your Office Visit References

Illustrations

Throat anatomy

Alternative Names Return to top

Sternutation

Definition Return to top

A sneeze is a sudden, forceful, involuntary burst of air through the nose and mouth.

See also:

Considerations Return to top

Sneezing is caused by irritation to the mucous membranes of the nose or throat. It can be very bothersome, but is generally not a sign of a serious problem.

Causes Return to top

Allergy to pollen, mold, dander, dust (hay fever)
Corticosteroid inhalation (from certain nose sprays)
Drug withdrawal
Nasal irritants such as dust and powders
Virus infections (common cold, upper respiratory tract infections, the flu)

Home Care Return to top

Avoiding exposure to the offending allergen is the best way to control sneezing caused by allergic diseases.

Tips to reduce your exposure:

Remove pets from the home to eliminate animal dander
Change furnace filters
Use air filtration devices to reduce pollen in the air
Travel to areas with low pollen counts

In some cases, moving out of a residence with a mold spore problem may be necessary.

For sneezing not caused by an allergy, the problem will disappear when the underlying disorder is cured or treated.

When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top

Call your provider if sneezing adversely affects your life and home remedies do not work.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit Return to top

Your medical provider will obtain a medical history. You may be asked:

During what time of year is sneezing the worst?
When did the sneezing begin?
How long do sneezing episodes last?
Do you have a history of allergies?
Have you been outdoors more than usual?
What have you done to try to relieve the sneezing?
How well has it worked?
What other symptoms are also present?

A physical examination will also be performed. The doctor will examine your the upper respiratory tract. In some cases, allergy testing may be needed to provide an accurate diagnosis.

Antihistamines are the first line of therapy for sneezing caused by allergies. Nasal steroid sprays may be helpful in more chronic conditions.

Allergy shots, also called immunotherapy or hyposensitization, may be considered for seasonal or year round symptoms that cannot be managed with other drugs because of their side effects.

References Return to top

Adkinson NF Jr. Middleton’s Allergy: Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby; 2003.

Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007.

Update Date: 7/17/2007

Updated by: Donald Accetta, MD, MPH, President, Allergy & Asthma Care, PC, Taunton, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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