A sneeze is a sudden, forceful, involuntary burst of air through the nose and mouth.
See also:
Sneezing is caused by irritation to the mucous membranes of the nose or throat. It can be very bothersome, but is generally not a sign of a serious problem.
Avoiding exposure to the offending allergen is the best way to control sneezing caused by allergies.
Tips to reduce your exposure:
In some cases, moving out of a home with a mold spore problem may be necessary.
Sneezing not due to an allergy will disappear when the underlying disorder is cured or treated.
Call your provider if sneezing adversely affects your life and home remedies do not work.
Your medical provider will perform a physical exam and examine your the upper respiratory tract. You will be asked questions about your medical history and symptoms such as:
In some cases, allergy testing may be needed to provide an accurate diagnosis.
Antihistamines are the first line of therapy for sneezing caused by allergies. Nasal steroid sprays may be helpful in more chronic conditions.
Allergy shots, also called immunotherapy or hyposensitization, may be considered for seasonal or year-round symptoms that cannot be managed with other drugs because of their side effects.
Sternutation
Bahls C. In the clinic: allergic rhinitis. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146(7):ITC4-1-ITC4-16.
Saleh HA, Durham SR. Perennial rhinitis. BMJ. 2007;335(7618):502-507.
Reviewed by: Paula J. Busse, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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