Doctors' warning after man tears hole in throat trying to stop sneeze

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-67714469

The patient was taken to hospital in severe pain after he pinched his nose and closed his mouth.

Doctors' warning after man tears hole in throat trying to stop sneeze

Doctors have issued a warning after a man tore a hole in his throat while trying to stop a sneeze.

The patient in his 30s was taken to Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, in severe pain after he pinched his nose and closed his mouth to stifle the sneeze.

Scans revealed he had suffered a 2mm tear in his windpipe.

10 comments

Naja_Kaouthia

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Usually when I try to stop a sneeze I end up with a questionable fart. With this in mind I think I’ll just sneeze from now on. Dire consequences and such.

themeatbridge

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People are crazy.

If you must stop a sneeze, pinch the corners of your eyes near the tear ducts. This will flush your sinuses a bit and likely clear whatever tickling twinge is about to make you sneeze.

60% of the time, works every time.

nul

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Pushing up on the cartilage between your nostrils can also do the trick.

Don't do both at the same time though, or you'll take a screenshot.

dominoko

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This frightens me because I've had considerable pain in my throat from trying to stifle a sneeze. I never realized I could actually hurt myself doing that.

Drusas

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You can also hurt yourself by holding your urine in for too long. If your body needs to get something out, you should probably let it do so. Maybe find a restroom first....

magnetosphere

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Well, at least the injury wasn’t severe. Now people who have read this story understand that not letting a massive pressure buildup escape your body is a bad thing.

bigFab

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Yeah, it's only 2 mm hole after all...

li10

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People who pinch their nose to stifle a sneeze are disgusting, honestly worse than just sneezing.

Literally just sneeze into your inner elbow, it mutes the noise and doesn’t get any snot on your hands.

HubertManne

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yeah I have tried to stop a sneeze but not by physically grabbing myself. Whats so bad about a sneeze to go thorugh that? Usually im just trying to hold it off while I get my mouth pointing toward my armpit or elbow.

Drusas

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I've never seen anybody do that before and I hope I never do. If you need to sneeze, just sneeze. That's what elbows are for.