What is sneezing?

Sneezing is a way for your body to quickly get rid of things that irritate your nose and throat. It is a reflex that helps stop physical or chemical triggers from reaching your respiratory tract. You might sneeze just once or many times in a row.

Sneezing does not always mean that you are sick. Common things that may make you sneeze include:

• smoke
• pollen
• dust

It is also related to conditions, such as allergies and respiratory infections.

What symptoms are related to sneezing?

When your sneeze reflex is triggered, you may feel a build-up of pressure inside your head and nose. This is followed by involuntarily closing your eyes and taking a big breath in. You may also feel a sensation inside your nose, such as:

• stinging
• burning
• pain

You will then release the sneeze through your mouth and nose. The air that is forced out during the sneeze travels at a high speed. Particles can spray into the surrounding air and land on other people or surfaces.

Sneezing itself is a symptom of many viral respiratory infections and allergic conditions.

Other symptoms that may appear with a sneeze include:

• coughing
• runny nose or congestion
• watery eyes
• sinus pain
• sore throat
• itching

What causes sneezing?

Nerves inside of your nose or throat send a signal to your brain that causes you to sneeze. Your brain then causes your muscles to force out air, forming a sneeze.

Irritants that get into your nose can set off sneezing, such as:

• dust
• pollen
• pepper
• smoke
• some strong smells (odorants) such as perfumes, chemicals and cleaning products
• mucus (post-nasal drip)

Conditions that affect your respiratory tract can cause sneezing, such as:

• allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
• chronic inflammatory diseases
• allergic reactions
• bacterial or viral infections
• COVID-19

Physical irritants are not always the cause of sneezing, sometimes you sneeze because of:

• bright lights
• sudden exposure to hot or cold air
• a full stomach after eating
• sexual excitement or orgasm

There is not always a clear reason why you sneeze.

How is the cause of sneezing diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you questions about your sneezing to try and diagnose the cause. They may ask about:

• how often you sneeze
• if your sneezing occurs at specific times, seasons or places
• if you sneeze after eating or certain activities
• if there are any other symptoms

If your doctor thinks that the cause of your sneezing is an allergy, they may order tests to identify what you are allergic to. These can include blood and skin tests.

Your doctor might also do tests that expose you to certain allergens to see how quickly and how many times you sneeze in response.

When should I see my doctor?

Sneezing is a normal reflex that can occur in healthy people several times a day.

You should see your doctor if you feel that your sneezing is impacting your quality of life. They can check to see if you have an allergy.

Sneezing is also a symptom of some respiratory illnesses. See your doctor if you feel unwell and are sneezing more than usual.

When to seek urgent care

You should seek medical care if:

• you can’t stop sneezing
• find it difficult to breathe or feel tightness in your chest
• have a fever together with other signs of illness

How is sneezing treated?

The treatment for sneezing depends on the cause. Not all sneezing needs medical treatment.

Self-care at home

If you have an allergy that is making you sneeze, try to stay away from the source.

If you’re sneezing because you’re unwell, try to:

• get rest
• stay hydrated
• take pain-relief medicines if you have pain

Medicines for sneezing

Your doctor or pharmacist may give you a prescription or over-the-counter medicine to help treat the underlying cause of your sneezing. This might be a:

• spray for your nose
• syrup for your throat
• tablet

Your doctor may help you treat the symptoms of allergies with:

• antihistamines
• corticosteroids
• decongestants

These medicines should not be used for more than a few days at a time. If you need them for longer than this, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have a respiratory tract infection or other illness that is causing your sneezing, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, or specific medicines.

Other treatment options

Your doctor may recommend you try a nasal rinse. This uses salty water to flush out your nose to clear away mucus and allergens that may be causing your sneezing.

What are the complications of sneezing?

The main complication of sneezing is that when you sneeze, you release droplets into the air from your mouth and nose. If you are sick, these droplets may spread your infection to other people.

Sneezing with your mouth closed or trying to stop the sneeze can increase the pressure that builds up. This can cause problems such as:

• fractured ribs and other broken bones
• neck or muscle injury
• pressure around the eyes
• torn muscles in the throat

Sneezing can also lead to urinary incontinence due to the pressure on your bladder.

Can sneezing be prevented?

If you feel like you need to sneeze, do not try to hold it in. This can cause problems.

There are ways to reduce the spread of infections when sneezing:

• Cover your mouth with a tissue when sneezing. If you do not have a tissue, sneeze into your inner elbow.
• Throw your used tissues away immediately.
• Wash your hands straight away after sneezing.

Resources and support

• Learn more about sneeze habits and how to stop the spread at NSW Health.
• Find out how to tell the difference between sneezing and hay fever and sneezing from a virus infection at the University of Queensland’s Faculty of Medicine website.
• Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia provides advice for people living with allergies. Call 1300 728 000.

If you are sneezing due to hay fever:

• Download the AirRater app to track your hay fever symptoms and monitor allergens in the environment.
• Check the pollen count for your area at Pollen Forecast.
• Watch videos on hay fever and how to use nasal sprays from the National Allergy Council.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

• The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet has resources on healthy breathing and respiratory health for kids.

Languages other than English

• The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy has translated resources on allergy and anaphylaxis.

You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.