Health Encyclopedia

Sneezing

Definition

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

Alternative Names

Sternutation

Considerations

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.

Common Causes

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

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

Tips to reduce your exposure:

Change furnace filters
Remove pets from the home to eliminate animal dander
Travel to areas with low pollen counts
Use air filtration devices to reduce pollen in the air
Wash linens in hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit) to temporarily kill dust mites

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

Sneezing not due to an allergy will disappear when the underlying disorder is cured or treated.

Call your health care provider if

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

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your medical provider will perform a physical exam and examine your the upper respiratory tract. You will be asked questions about your medical history and symptoms such as:

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?
Do you have any new pets?
What have you done to try to relieve the sneezing?
How well has it worked?
What other symptoms are also present?

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

Bahls C. In the clinic. Allergic rhinitis. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Apr 3;146(7):ITC4-1-ITC4-16.

Saleh HA, Durham SR. Perennial rhinitis. BMJ. 2007 Sep 8;335(7618):502-7.

Review Date:9/9/2008
Reviewed By:Stuart I. Henochowicz, MD, FACP, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Georgetown University Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.