Sneeze loudly or pinch off, that is the question here

When it comes to sneezing, there are two extremes that couldn't be more different. I encountered both at the same time in the open-plan office of a former employer. One colleague sneezed so loudly that the people on the upper floor would anxiously enquire whether everything was OK downstairs. The other colleague, on the other hand, consistently suppressed his sneezes. On the one hand, you could hardly hear a thing. On the other hand, I was always quietly worried that his head might burst.

Droplets in the fast lane

Admittedly, I've never heard of exploding heads when sneezing. Nevertheless, the comparison with an explosion cannot be completely dismissed when you consider the forces involved. When you sneeze, foreign bodies, droplets, aerosols and nasal mucus are catapulted out at a speed of around 160 kilometres per hour. If you don't want to contaminate your immediate surroundings, always hold a handkerchief and your hand in front of your mouth ... and wash them thoroughly afterwards. Or even better: sneeze into the crook of your arm.

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A few years ago, scientist Lydia Bourouiba from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology thoroughly researched what happens when you sneeze unrestrainedly and without restraint, especially with regard to the risk of infection.

In order to better understand and prevent the transmission of pathogens, Bourouiba and her team filmed test subjects sneezing using high-speed cameras. Played back in slow motion, some of these recordings look like volcanic eruptions. Threads and wisps of saliva are ejected from the mouth and nose, forming a cloud of droplets. "I wünsch en Guete", the Swiss chef Annemarie Wildeisen used to say on regional television.

Don't sneeze first? Bad idea!

Now you could come to the conclusion that it's best not to sneeze at all or at least not to let it out. This may be a relief for the people around you, but there is a risk of injury for yourself. Doctors have repeatedly pointed this out in the past.

In 2018, the specialist journal "BMJ Case Reports" published the case of a 34-year-old man who was artificially fed for several days and treated with antibiotics as a precautionary measure due to a tear in his throat muscles. The tear occurred according to the treating physicians because the man had covered his nose and mouth while sneezing.

In the same medical journal in 2023, doctors reported on a man who ended up in hospital with severe throat and neck pain. He had also covered his nose and mouth to stop himself sneezing while driving. According to the case report, the enormous pressure caused a two-millimetre tear in the windpipe.

In both cases, it is noted that such serious injuries are very rare. Experts agree that you risk your health by suppressing a sneeze. Even if you are only holding your nose, the pressure inside you is so immense that it can cause injury. Murat Songu and Cemal Cingi from Izmir Ataturk Research Research and Training Hospital state this in their report "Sneeze reflex: facts and fiction".

The range of possible injuries extends from the bursting of blood vessels in the nasal mucosa or even in the brain, to a rupture in the eardrum, to a potentially fatal tear in the wall of the aorta.

Let it out (protected)

I'm probably more of a loud sneeze. To be honest, I've never thought of suppressing it. In contrast to the unspeakable itching in my nose just before I sneeze, I find it incredibly liberating. Which is exactly the effect the body wants to achieve. When I sneeze, I sneeze into the crook of my arm. That's exactly what you should do for the sake of your health and the health of others.

Our five-year-old daughter also does the arm bend thing quite well, with some exceptions. She has just caught a cold and sneezed heartily into my face. Without going into detail, I'm going to wash myself thoroughly now. Still better than having to take my daughter to A&E because she's blocked her sneeze.