A related discussion,
Unable to sneeze was started.
Hello bentot623,
How long has it been since you have not been able to complete a sneeze?
Hi,
Thank you so much for your comments.
Best,
ihj.
I have the same problem. having difficulites completing to sneeze.. it started after having allergic reaction taking Flexeril.. Is this one of the side effects of flexeril? I used to have no issues w/ sneezing because I have allergies on dust, pollen etc.. Do I need to visit an ENT ?
What do I need to do? I am getting paranoid..
Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
The sneeze reflex is only partially autonomic. Humans can control the sneeze reflex to a great extent. Also some allergens only cause a mild irritation and their aerosols are not big enough for a sneeze reflex to be completed. The reflex gets initiated because the nasal receptors are tickled and send out the sensation however since the irritant is not big enough to sustain the reflex, the reflex is not completed.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!
I had a visit with the ENT this week...everything seems to be fine but I still can't complete the sneeze. He suggested I try three different nasal allergy medications in a three week period to see which one works best for me. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.
I've been unalbe to complete a sneeze now for over a month. I get to the ahhh but does not develop into the choo. After reading these posts I was wondering if anyone had any updates on how to treat this situation. I saw my interninst and gave me nasonex but I don't believe that is working.
I too have stopped sneezing. Only mine is total. Every spring I would sneeze, grass cutting, flowers etc.
Now no sneeze and no running nose?
Also have had severe ongoing pain and noise intolerance in left ear and hiss that developed later in right ear after 6 months. Doctors were loathe to give antibiotics inspite of discharge and severe pain.
I am wondering if my 2 issues maybe connected. I am tired of going to ENT's, as I have seen 6 now and no answers. They seem so specialized now....sinusitis, cochlear implants, laser for snoring, dizziness, larnyx.
What happened to the generalist ENT specialist?
I have been in ear pain and noise intolerance for 1 year and no sneezing nor nasal dripping?
I hope that someone may have some ideas, thank you. Skunks don't even cause a sneeze from me anymore?
Hi David,
A sneeze (or sternutation) is a semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air from the lungs, most commonly caused by foreign particles irritating the nasal mucosa. Sneezing can further be triggered through sudden exposure to bright light, a particularly full stomach, or as a result of unexpected, climatic variations in one's environment such as rapid changes in temperature and humidity levels.
Please note that it is a semi-autonomous activity. That means that you can partly control it and its partly automatic. Further, the irritant may sometimes get dislodged while inspiration is taking place in the early part of the sneeze. This is the time when you will not sneeze completely.
I hope I answered some of your query. Let me know if you need more information.
Best regards.
I have experienced this on and off myself. I'm otherwise completely healthy and it never occurred to me it wasn't normal. Often I get dust up my nose or whatever then I have a half a dozen Aaahhs before finally managing a Choo. If you're otherwise healthy I'd say you are sort of training yourself into not sneezing because you felt self-conscious in public, and now feel anxious when you feel a sneeze coming on. There are wide ranges of sneezing habits - everyone's a bit different. Bright light makes some people sneeze. About 4 out of 10, myself included, sneeze when plucking their eyebrows. Apparently this is all believed to be genetic. Anyway, the only function of a sneeze is to remove an irritant from your nasal passages, so if the AAhhh achieves that, the Choo may not be necessary. Maybe try to make yourself sneeze and train yourself to let it all out. Try inhaling a bit of pepper. Please don't pluck your eyebrows : )