What are the side effects of excessive sneezing?

September 28, 2025 •

5 min read

A single sneeze can expel air at speeds exceeding 100 mph, a powerful reflex that, when repeated excessively, can have consequences for your body. So, what are the side effects of excessive sneezing, and when should you be concerned about this persistent reflex?

Quick Summary

Frequent, forceful sneezing can cause muscle strain in the back and ribs, headaches, and ruptured blood vessels in the face. In rare but serious instances, it can also aggravate pre-existing conditions like hernias and spinal injuries.

Key Points

Muscle Strain is Common: Forceful sneezing can strain muscles in the back, ribs, and abdomen, especially if already weakened or tense.
Head and Face Pressure: Excessive sneezes can cause temporary headaches and, rarely, burst small blood vessels in the eyes or nose, leading to minor bleeding.
Ear Issues from Pressure: Holding in a sneeze is particularly risky and can cause pressure to build up, potentially damaging the eardrum or leading to an ear infection.
Fatigue from Allergies: A common cause of excessive sneezing, allergies trigger a widespread immune response that can leave the body feeling profoundly tired and run-down.
Risk of Hernia Aggravation: While rare, increased abdominal pressure from sneezing can worsen a pre-existing hernia.
Spinal Problems can be Worsened: Sneezing can aggravate conditions like herniated discs or sciatica, causing intense, radiating pain.

Understanding the Mechanics of a Sneeze

Sneezing is a protective reflex designed to clear irritants from the nasal passages. This involuntary action involves a complex sequence of muscular contractions, including the diaphragm, intercostal muscles (between the ribs), abdominal muscles, and facial muscles. The sheer force generated by a powerful sneeze can place significant stress on these and other body parts, leading to a variety of potential side effects, particularly when the sneezes are frequent or violent.

Common Side Effects of Frequent Sneezing

Many people experience mild, yet uncomfortable, effects from repeated sneezing fits. These are typically temporary and resolve on their own, but they can be a major nuisance.

Musculoskeletal Aches and Pains

Back and abdominal strain: The intense contraction of the core and back muscles during a sneeze can lead to muscle strain or spasms, especially in the lower back. This is particularly common in people with pre-existing back issues or weak core muscles.
Rib pain: The intercostal muscles, which aid in breathing, can become strained from the repeated force of sneezing, causing a sharp or dull pain in the ribs.
Sore throat: The forceful expulsion of air can irritate the throat, leading to soreness or a tickle.

Head and Facial Discomfort

Headaches: The sudden increase in blood pressure and pressure within the head can trigger a headache.
Broken blood vessels: The force can cause tiny blood vessels to burst, especially in the eyes (visible as a small red spot) or nose (a minor nosebleed). This is not a cause for panic, as the body reabsorbs the blood naturally.

Ear Pressure and Potential Issues

Ear pain and pressure: The eustachian tubes, which connect the nose and ears, can experience a pressure increase during a sneeze. If a sneeze is held in, this pressure is intensified, which can cause ear pain and, in very rare cases, a ruptured eardrum.
Middle ear infection: Sneezing can propel infected mucus into the middle ear through the eustachian tubes, potentially leading to an infection.

Other Related Symptoms

Fatigue: When excessive sneezing is caused by allergies, the body's immune response can consume significant energy, leading to a profound sense of exhaustion and "brain fog". Sleep can also be disrupted by symptoms like congestion and postnasal drip, further exacerbating fatigue.

Rare, but More Serious Complications

While the following complications are highly unlikely, they demonstrate the significant force generated by a sneeze and are more likely in individuals with pre-existing health issues.

Aggravated hernias: The increased intra-abdominal pressure from sneezing can exacerbate a pre-existing hernia or, rarely, contribute to its development. This applies to abdominal, diaphragm, and intercostal hernias.
Spinal issues: For those with existing spinal problems like herniated or bulging discs, a forceful sneeze can compress nerves and intensify pain. This can result in sharp pain that radiates to the legs, a condition known as sciatica.
Aortic dissection: In extremely rare cases, a sneeze's sudden spike in blood pressure can trigger an aortic dissection, a tear in the body's main artery.
Fractures: Isolated case reports describe facial bone fractures or laryngeal (voice box) fractures resulting from violent sneezes, although these are exceptionally rare.

Why You Should Never Hold in a Sneeze

While the injuries from sneezing are rare, many of the more serious complications are directly linked to holding in a sneeze. When you block the exit for a sneeze by pinching your nose or closing your mouth, the pressure is diverted to other areas, including the ears, throat, and blood vessels. Experts warn that a closed-airway sneeze can produce over 20 times the pressure of a normal sneeze, increasing the risk of injury. The best practice is to let the sneeze out, covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow to prevent spreading germs.

Understanding the Underlying Causes of Excessive Sneezing

Treating the side effects of sneezing is important, but addressing the root cause is crucial for preventing them from recurring. Common triggers for excessive sneezing include:

Allergies: Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common causes of frequent sneezing. The immune system overreacts to harmless allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander, causing the release of histamine.
Viral Infections: The common cold, flu, and other respiratory viruses can irritate the nasal lining, triggering sneezing along with other symptoms like congestion and coughing.
Irritants: Exposure to environmental irritants like smoke, dust, perfumes, and strong odors can cause non-allergic rhinitis, leading to sneezing.
Temperature Changes: A sudden shift from a warm environment to a cold one can stimulate the nasal nerves and trigger a sneeze.
Medications: Certain medications can cause sneezing as a side effect.

Comparing Common vs. Rare Sneezing Side Effects


Side Effect	Likelihood	Symptom Description
Muscle Strain	Common	Aches or sharp pain in the back, ribs, or abdomen.
Headache	Common	Pressure-related head pain.
Broken Capillaries	Occasional	Red spots in the eyes or minor nosebleeds.
Fatigue	Common (with allergies)	Persistent tiredness and lack of energy.
Ear Pressure/Pain	Occasional (more if sneeze is held)	Fullness, discomfort, or potential fluid buildup.
Hernia Aggravation	Rare (pre-existing condition)	Worsening pain or bulging in the abdominal area.
Aortic Dissection	Extremely Rare	Severe, tearing chest or back pain. Requires immediate medical attention.
Fractured Bones	Extremely Rare	Case reports of rib, facial, or throat fractures.

Seeking Medical Guidance

For most people, the side effects of excessive sneezing are minor and pass quickly. However, if your sneezing is persistent, accompanied by a fever, or is causing severe pain or other alarming symptoms, it is best to consult a healthcare provider. A doctor can help determine the underlying cause and recommend an appropriate course of action, which could involve allergy testing, medication, or other treatments. For musculoskeletal pain from sneezing, a professional diagnosis is important to rule out more serious spinal or rib issues. For example, the forceful pressure from sneezing has been studied in medical literature for its role in rare injuries, and allowing the sneeze to proceed naturally is recommended to prevent complications.

Conclusion

While excessive sneezing can be annoying and sometimes painful, most of its side effects are not a cause for concern and are simply a result of the forceful, natural reflex. Common issues like muscle strain and fatigue often point to an underlying cause, such as allergies or a cold. Addressing that root cause is key to relief. In very rare circumstances, more serious complications can arise, especially if a sneeze is suppressed. The best approach is to let your body do what it's built to do, while taking proper steps to manage the underlying issue. If you experience persistent or severe pain, seeking medical advice is the safest option. For more detailed medical information on injuries related to sneezing, refer to authoritative sources like NIH studies on sneeze injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

While sneezing alone is not a common cause of hernias, the sudden increase in intra-abdominal pressure can exacerbate or aggravate a pre-existing hernia. In very rare instances, violent or sustained sneezing episodes could potentially contribute to a hernia's development or worsen an existing one.

Pain in the back and ribs from excessive sneezing is often caused by muscle strain. The forceful contraction of your core and intercostal muscles during a sneeze puts significant stress on these areas. This can be more pronounced if you have poor posture or a pre-existing muscle weakness.

Yes, it is potentially dangerous. Suppressing a sneeze diverts immense pressure to other parts of your body. This can lead to minor issues like a ruptured blood vessel in your eye or, in rare cases, more serious problems like a ruptured eardrum or damage to blood vessels.

Yes, the pressure buildup and forceful expulsion of air during a sneeze can lead to a sudden, temporary increase in blood pressure and cranial pressure, which may trigger a headache.

When excessive sneezing is caused by allergies, your immune system is working overtime to fight what it perceives as a threat. This uses a lot of energy, leading to fatigue. Furthermore, a stuffy nose and other allergy symptoms can disrupt your sleep, compounding the exhaustion.

You should consult a doctor if your sneezing is persistent and affecting your quality of life, or if it is accompanied by concerning symptoms. These include fever, severe pain, shortness of breath, or any signs of a serious issue like a potential hernia or spinal injury.

To relieve muscle pain, rest the affected muscles and use a cold compress initially to reduce inflammation. After a day or two, a warm compress can help relax the muscles. Over-the-counter pain relievers may also provide relief. Addressing the underlying cause of the sneezing will help prevent recurrence.

Sneezing causes a brief, temporary spike in arterial blood pressure. For most healthy individuals, this is not a concern. However, in extremely rare cases, and especially for those with pre-existing vascular conditions, this could be a factor in serious events like an aortic dissection.