The next time you get the urge to stifle a sneeze, you might want to rethink it. Though sneezing is unpleasant, people who stifle a sneeze may face some significant health consequences, particularly if the sneeze is violent. One can attempt to avoid a sneeze when feeling that itchy feeling in the nose, without causing harm. Those who stifle a sneeze by closing the mouth and pinching the nose shut, as the sneeze is in progress, can cause themselves harm.

One urban legend is that those who stifle a sneeze risk brain aneurysms. Evidence suggests that this is hard to prove, and if it does ever occur, rate of occurrence is extremely rare. Chances are you will not suffer a brain aneurysm if you stifle a sneeze.

A person who plans to stifle a sneeze is not at risk for popping out his or her eyeballs. This is another urban legend associated with sneezing that really has no veracity. One would have to be able to sneeze with much greater force than is customary.

However, stopping a sneeze in mid-sneeze is dangerous because the energy of the sneeze and fluids associated with the sneeze are attempting to make a rapid exit out of the nostrils. In fact, droplets may travel at a rate of 100 mph (160.92 kph). Quickly closing the nose in an attempt to stifle a sneeze means the fluid can back up into the sinuses and into the ears, particularly the Eustachian tubes, the soft tubes that connect the middle ear to the back of the mouth. This can at minimum increase risk for sinus or ear infections.

Additionally, those who stifle a sneeze, especially a violent one, can risk harming their eardrums. Stopping a sneeze can cause eardrum rupture, bleeding in the ears and significant ear pain. Stifling a series of sneezes could result in detached retina, though this, too, is uncommon.

Though one shouldn’t stifle a sneeze, one should take precautions not to sneeze on others. Naturally, carrying tissue to help stop the progress of contagious droplets is the best choice. If, however, one is without tissue, one can sneeze into one’s inner elbow or upper arm, or directly into one’s hands. This is not the most sanitary, nor the preferred method for keeping other people healthy. However, it is a better option than choosing to stifle the sneeze, or sneezing on everybody else.

Stifling a sneeze can cause damage, but does not always do so. If one accidentally forgets not to stifle, one will likely be just fine. However, since some risk applies to stopping a sneeze, it makes good sense to try to get into the habit of letting fly with a a good "Achoo!"