What causes constant sneezing?

Posted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Vinh Toan - Interdisciplinary Department - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Sneezing is a very common health problem that causes a lot of discomfort for those who suffer from it. Determining the cause plays an important role in providing an effective treatment regimen for sneezing in patients.

Sneezing is an uncontrolled act that often happens suddenly and without warning. To put it simply, sneezing is the body's reflex when it wants to expel irritants from the nose and mouth.
Normally, a person with symptoms of constant sneezing will experience discomfort, affecting some aspects of life, However, this is not a serious health problem.

The function of the nose is to clean the air, ensuring that bacteria and dirt are trapped in the mucus layer of the nose, these substances can irritate the mucous membranes of the nose and throat and cause sneezing.
In addition, a person who constantly sneezes can also be due to:
Allergy to allergens such as dust, pollen, mold; Respiratory viruses that cause colds or flu. There are more than 200 different viruses that can cause colds; Inhaling irritants such as: Dust, spicy onions, perfumes, dyes in fabrics; Sudden changes in temperature and humidity; Spicy food; Bright light.

The best way to reduce sneezing is to avoid exposure to the allergen. At home, use an air purifier and change the filter periodically; Do not keep dogs or cats indoors if you are allergic to their feathers. If there is a pet, it is necessary to regularly cut the hair to minimize contact; Wash carpets, blankets, cushions under hot water regularly to kill dust mites in the house; If there are plants around the house with pollen causing allergies, they should be cut down. In case of continuous sneezing, non-stop for a long time, it may be necessary to use antihistamines such as Cetirizine, Fexofenadine, Loratadine .... Glucocorticoid drugs can be used to spray the nose. However, before you want to use any medicine, patients should consult their doctor to make sure it is safe. If using the drug but the sneezing condition persists and does not improve, the patient should go to an immunology facility to test, determine the type of allergen or perform immunotherapy (a very effective form of injection). Many times the antigen has been diluted, the body will gradually adapt to the allergen) to reduce the body's sensitivity to the antigen. Fully vaccinated to prevent respiratory diseases such as flu, measles, pneumococcal... In addition, when a sneeze is about to happen, people can use some preventive measures. such as:
Avoid looking at strong light, on sunny days should wear sunscreen; Blow hard through your nose, squeeze your nose, or use your tongue to press firmly on the front two front teeth / roof of the mouth to interrupt the sneeze reflex. Avoid spicy foods. In short, although sneezing is not a serious health problem, if the patient is worried, they can go to a reputable hospital to conduct an examination, find out the cause and effectively overcome the condition. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the top quality hospitals in the country, trusted by a large number of patients for medical examination and treatment. Not only having a modern physical system and equipment, Vinmec is also a place to gather a team of experienced doctors and nurses who will greatly assist in the diagnosis and early detection of abnormal signs of cancer. patient's body. In particular, with a space designed according to 5-star hotel standards, Vinmec ensures to bring the patient the most comfort, friendliness and peace of mind.