“Why Do I Keep Sneezing?” 12 Reasons, from Medical Experts

If you’re wondering why you keep sneezing, rest assured. Research published in Physics of Fluids in 2020 says that, on average, healthy people sneeze about four times a day, sometimes more. 

But if you’re experiencing more chronic bouts of sneezing, there’s likely an underlying cause at play. While frequent sneezing usually doesn’t indicate a serious problem, it can certainly interfere with your quality of life, says Christian Soneru, MD, Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgeon at Tufts Medical Center. 

Still, constant sneezing can cause physical damage at times. “Rarely, repeated sneezing can cause broken blood vessels in the eye, nosebleeds, or a muscular strain in your back,” he says. But in most cases, once you address what’s causing you to sneeze so much, you can keep those irritating achoos at bay. 

What’s causing you to sneeze?

“Sneezing is the body’s way of clearing out irritants that can cause inflammation in your nose,” Dr. Soneru explains. “Although the triggers of sneezing can vary from person to person, common causes are dust and pollen.” Sneezing is also a typical symptom when you are sick with a viral or bacterial sinus infection.

“It is rarely a cause for concern,” Dr. Soneru says. But that doesn’t mean frequent sneezing isn’t annoying. Here’s why you might be sneezing more often than normal and what to do about it. 

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1. You have allergies

First up, the most obvious reason you can’t stop sneezing: allergies.

“Sneezing is caused when a foreign particle or irritant hits the nasal tissue,” explains Miguel Wolbert, MD, a board-certified allergist at AllerVie Health. “You sneeze in order to forcibly remove the particle from the nasal cavity,” he says.

In an allergy, your body has an overreaction to something normally benign, like pollen from plants or animal dander. If sneezing comes with other classic allergy symptoms like a runny nose, congestion, and itchy eyes—especially if you go outside or are around the family cat—it’s most likely allergies. If not, then it’s something else.

As far as what that could be, read on.

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2. It’s a sinus infection

Both allergies and a cold can turn into sinusitis, an infection that causes sinuses to swell. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, symptoms include:

• Postnasal drip
• Facial tenderness
• Coughing
• Fever
• Fatigue

Luckily, most sinus infections are usually viral, and you’ll feel better in about a week, says Dr. Wolbert.

But if sinus infections keep coming back or are associated with allergy symptoms like a runny nose or chronic sneezing, he says there is a good chance that allergies are the main cause of the sinus infections. Treating the underlying cause—in this case, allergies—will help solve your problem.

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3. You’re on a new med

“Certain medications can lead to strange nerve responses, making you sneeze,” says Dr. Wolbert. According to 2022 research published in the Ear, Nose & Throat Journal, this is because some medications can cause inflammation in your nasal passages as an adverse side effect. This is called drug-induced nonallergic rhinitis, and it’s pretty rare, with a prevalence of around 1 to 4%. 

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Advil or Aleve are the most common culprit of this nasal inflammatory response (though, again, it’s pretty rare).

However, the research identified several other medications that can cause sneezing, including:

• ACE inhibitors, used to treat and manage hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Oral contraceptive pills (birth control pills)
• Hormone replacement therapy
• PDE5 inhibitors, drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension
• Sympatholytics, a class of drugs used to treat ischemic heart disease and hypertension
• Diuretics, which help manage hypertension, cirrhosis, edema, and heart failure
• Calcium channel blockers, used to help lower blood pressure
• Mental health medications, including benzodiazepines and SSRIs
• Anti-thyroid medications, which treat hyperthyroidism

If you notice you’re suddenly sneezy on new meds, it can certainly be annoying, but it’s not reason enough to stop them on a whim. Talk to your doctor first.

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4. It’s your coworker’s super stinky perfume

Thanks to the lady in the elevator who decided to douse herself in fragrance, you can’t stop sneezing. It’s a type of nonallergic rhinitis, which means your nasal passages become inflamed in response to an irritant, like perfume, explains Dr. Wolbert. (It’s not caused by allergies.)

About one in five people are sensitive to fragrances, according to 2020 research published in Environmental Sciences Europe—and this goes for “natural” fragrances, like essential oils, as well as those with synthetic ingredients.

Fragrance sensitivity isn’t just limited to perfumes, either. Scented lotions, soaps, cleaning products, and air fresheners can trigger respiratory reactions, including sneezing. Fragrance sensitivity may also cause symptoms like headaches, migraines, nausea, and even anxiety. 

Your best bet is to do your best to avoid strong scents (knowing that it can be hard, if not impossible, to do so sometimes). You may also try using a nasal rinse once or twice daily.

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5. It’s a nasal polyp

Nasal polyps are grayish sac-like growths on the lining of the sinuses that can lead to sneezing, stuffiness, a runny nose, and a diminished sense of taste or smell. This is because they cause inflammation and irritation in the nasal passages—which can trap mucus and allergens like dust and restrict airflow—triggering your body’s reflex to sneeze. 

Nasal polyps are very similar in their symptoms to seasonal allergies, explains Joseph Han, MD, FARS, FAAOA, the Chief of the Division of Rhinology & Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Surgery and the Chief of the Division of Allergy at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

While they’re pretty common (affecting up to 40% of people), it’s not well understood why nasal polyps develop in some people and not others. But allergies, asthma, and frequent sinus infections appear to make people more prone to them, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 

Your doctor can diagnose polyps with a physical exam and may recommend treatments like nasal steroids, a neti pot, and a home humidifier to reduce sneezing and allow you to breathe easy again. As a last resort, minimally invasive sinus surgery can remove them, especially if you have large, obstructive polyps. But it’s not always a permanent fix—nasal polyps can come back after any treatment. 

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6. It’s the smog

Outdoor pollution can cause sneezing because pollutants’ tiny particles can easily be sucked up into your nasal cavity, says Dr. Wolbert. And, just like in allergies, your nose wants these things out—stat!—hence, the achoo.

Research published in Toxins in 2024 found that even short-term exposure to air pollutants can trigger nasal symptoms—and that there’s often a lagging effect, meaning you may feel stuffed up and sneezy for the rest of the day.

In particular, common air pollutants associated with frequent sneezing include:

• PM 2.5: A fine particulate matter caused by burning fossil fuels, industrial emissions, wildfires, and even cooking at home.
• PM 10: A slightly larger particulate matter (with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less) caused by vehicle emissions, construction and roadwork, smoke from cooking, and industrial and agricultural emissions.
• Carbon monoxide (CO): A gas caused primarily by vehicle emissions, but it’s also released into the air by wildfires, industrial processes, incinerators, and heating systems. 

Research published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology in 2020 shows that exposure to particulate matter (PM) and other air pollutants often worsens existing allergy symptoms, too. Pollution can also cause new conditions to develop, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. 

There’s not much you can do to change the outdoors, but you need help in how to stop chronic sneezing. The Environmental Protection Agency has a website—Airnow.gov—that tracks the current air quality in your area. Based on the level of air pollution recorded, the tool offers guidance on whether you should reduce your activity level or time outdoors on a given day. 

If you’re sensitive to pollution or live in an area with poorer air quality, it’s also a good idea to see a board-certified allergist who can help you create an action plan.

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7. Your house is stuffy

If there’s no good airflow in your home, it’s difficult to effectively get rid of indoor air pollutants, which can also bring on a sneeze fest. (Think cigarette smoke, a fireplace, smoke from cooking, or mold.) Levels of indoor air pollutants can be 100 times higher than outside, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They also point out that we spend 90% of our time inside, which makes it a bigger deal.

Uncovering and fixing underlying issues (like mold) is one important step in improving the air quality in your home. So, too, is proper ventilation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests opening windows and doors, using window or attic fans, and turning on kitchen and bath exhaust fans to get fresh air flowing through.

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8. You’re using a nasal corticosteroid

Nasal corticosteroid sprays—such as Flonase, Nasacort, or Nasonex—are medications that manage allergy symptoms like sneezing, congestion, or a runny nose by reducing inflammation in the lining of the nose, Dr. Soneru explains. (Tip: These sprays can also help manage symptoms from nasal polyps.) 

Ironically, sneezing can be a side effect of using nasal corticosteroids—but it’s not all that common, according to Dr. Soneru. “A small number of patients sneeze immediately after using these sprays,” he explains. “This typically occurs because the spray itself can irritate the [nasal] lining first before the steroid takes effect.” Nasal dryness or tingling/burning occurs for some people as well. 

Sneezing is not considered a concerning side effect of nasal corticosteroids, but if it’s particularly bothersome, talk to your doctor about alternative treatment options. 

However, nasal corticosteroids can cause more serious side effects, such as breathing difficulties, vision changes, swelling, or dizziness. While these adverse effects are rare, they’re a sign to discontinue use and contact your doctor. 

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9. You just looked at the sun

We would say believe it or not but it may be something you’ve already experienced: Bright lights can trigger the sneeze reflex. It’s called the photic sneeze reflex (PSR), or ACHOO syndrome (autosomal dominant compulsive helio-ophthalmic outbursts of sneezing).

It’s an involuntary response to bright light exposure—like looking at the sun, stepping out of a building into bright daylight, or sudden exposure to artificial bright light—and affects approximately 25% of the population, according to a 2025 review of research published in Experimental Brain Research. 

The research explains that this reflex is a poorly understood phenomenon, but it may have to do with miscommunication between the optic (eye) nerve and the trigeminal nerve, which controls facial sensations. Research published in Scientific Reports in 2019 also points out that ACHOO syndrome tends to run in families, so there may be a genetic component. 

While there’s no treatment for ACHOO syndrome, easing into bright light to let your eyes adjust (like wearing sunglasses when leaving the house) can help. A 2019 study published in the journal Eye also suggests that applying light pressure under your nose with your index finger could suppress trigeminal nerve activation. This is called the Philtral Pressure Technique. 

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10. You’re plucking your eyebrows

There are a couple of things standing in the way of a gorgeous arch. Pain, yep. But sneezing? It turns out this is a pretty normal reflex involving the trigeminal nerve. 

When there’s irritation in your nose, this is the nerve that activates to initiate a normal sneeze reflex. But because the trigeminal nerve system is so complex, irritation caused by plucking an eyebrow hair can accidentally set it off into response mode—triggering a sneeze.

Similar to managing the photic sneeze reflex, applying light pressure with your finger to the skin under the eyebrow as you pluck may help relax this trigeminal nerve reflex. 

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11. You’re eating spicy food

Many types of spicy foods contain capsaicin, Dr. Soneru explains. This chemical compound—found mainly in chili peppers—can be a potent irritant. And as you eat, capsaicin can stimulate the nerve endings in your nose, he says. “These nerve endings then increase mucus production and can cause you to sneeze in an effort to ‘flush out’ the irritant.” 

It’s a phenomenon called gustatory rhinitis—and it’s the same reason many people sneeze when grinding or using black peppercorn. Onions, vinegar, garlic, horseradish, alcohol, ginger, other spices, and even the steam coming off hot foods can trigger this reflex as well. 

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12. You’re really stressed out

If you have allergies, feeling stressed can make all of your symptoms feel worse—including sneezing, says Dr. Soneru. “When someone feels stressed, the body releases a number of powerful hormones, including cortisol, which can affect all types of inflammation in the body.” That’s why you might feel run down and have cold or flu-like symptoms (including sneezing) during periods of high stress. 

“Additionally, stress may cause the release of histamine, which can result in sneezing,” whether you have allergies or not, he explains. This histamine release is a natural part of your body’s fight-or-flight response as your immune system activates and prepares to deal with any potential threats.

But too much histamine in the body can cause a range of symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic, including:

• Allergy-like symptoms, such as sneezing, congestion, and runny nose
• Headaches or migraines
• Digestive issues
• Skin problems
• Fatigue 

How to stop sneezing

The best way to stop sneezing is to identify your triggers and do your best to avoid them.

“If you think that your sneezing is due to allergies, you can try to avoid the things that you are allergic to or reduce exposure to them,” Dr. Soneru says. “For example, if you are allergic to indoor allergens, including dust mites, you can use an air filtration system or an air purifier in your home.” Your doctor may be able to recommend medications to help the symptoms associated with environmental allergies as well.

Staying hydrated, using nasal sprays, nasal irrigation, and a home humidifier can also work to keep your airways moist—which reduces the inflammation and irritation that causes sneezing. 

In some cases, applying pressure with your index finger on the area below your nose can interrupt the trigeminal nerve response. But remember, sneezing is a normal reflex that helps your body clear out any irritants. So, it’s generally not recommended to stop yourself from sneezing. 

Is it bad to hold in a sneeze?

“Yes, it can be harmful if you try to hold in a sneeze,” Dr. Soneru warns. “Doing so may increase the pressure in your sinuses, ears, and throat 20-fold, which can cause significant damage to any one of these structures.”

The Cleveland Clinic and research published in the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy point to a range of potential injuries that can result from holding back a sneeze, including:

• Eardrum damage, including a middle ear infection or holes in your eardrum
• Sinus pain and infection
• An increase in pressure inside your eyes (which can be dangerous for people with conditions like glaucoma)
• Ruptured blood vessels
• Injury to the thorax, the part of the body between your neck and abdomen
• Throat irritation or tissue tearing
• In rare cases, a ruptured aneurysm caused by a spike in blood pressure

When to see a doctor

In general, sneezing is a harmless, natural reflex. But if frequent sneezing significantly impacts your quality of life, it’s best to make a medical appointment, Dr. Soneru says. “Or, [if] you have other associated symptoms, including fever, shortness of breath, hives, or itchy or watery eyes,” you should see a doctor. These symptoms could indicate that you have uncontrolled allergies or an infection. 

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