Doctors' warning after man tears hole in throat trying to stop sneeze

Doctors have issued a warning after a man tore a hole in his throat while trying to stop a sneeze.

The patient in his 30s was taken to Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, in severe pain after he pinched his nose and closed his mouth to stifle the sneeze.

Scans revealed he had suffered a 2mm tear in his windpipe.

University of Dundee medics said if both mouth and nose are closed during a sneeze, the pressure in the upper airways can increase by about 20 times.

This can also lead to injuries including ruptured eardrums, aneurysms and even broken ribs.

When doctors examined the patient they heard a cracking sound after touching his neck and found he did not have control of movement.

The unnamed man, who was driving at the time of the sneeze, had a history of allergies and throat irritation.

The patient did not need surgical treatment and was kept in hospital for observation.

He was discharged and given painkillers and hayfever medication. Doctors also advised him to avoid strenuous physical activity for two weeks.

Five weeks later a scan showed that the tear had healed.

Dr Rasads Misirovs, the report's lead author, said: "We suspect the trachea perforated due to a rapid build-up of pressure in the trachea while sneezing with a pinched nose and closed mouth.

"Everyone should be advised not to stifle sneezes by pinching the nose while keeping the mouth closed as it can result in tracheal perforation."

A sudden throat tear, known medically as a "spontaneous tracheal perforation" is rare and can be potentially life-threatening.

Only a few cases have been reported, including one in 2018 when a man in Leicester also tore his throat by trying to hold in a sneeze.