The Dangers of Suppressing a Sneeze

Ear, nose and throat specialist Dr. Andrew Ordon explains that sneezing not only clears nasal passages by expelling foreign pathogens and irritants, but it also revs up cilia in the nose, an important part of the body's immune system. Suppressing a sneeze, however, can potentially amplify pressure in the sinus and ocular cavities, which can burst blood vessels in the eyes, brain and in rare cases, rupture eardrums!