Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Started Sneezing And Experienced Sharp Pain In Throat. Head And Neck Hurting. What Is Causing This?
Question: Earlier tonight I held in a sneeze and immediately experienced a sharp pain in my throat when doing any kind of swallowing. My throat now hurts to the touch and moving my head or neck hurts as well. I had found several threads with people complaining of the same symptoms after holding in a sneeze, but no answers really as to what is causing the pain.
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
I have gone through the details submitted with diligence and the possible explanations for this pain are:
1. Sneezing / trying to hold a sneeze can sometimes cause barotrauma induced injuries around the nasopharynx (behind the throat) and upper part of respiratory tract. These minor injuries can induce inflammatory response of mucosal lining almost immediately. The inflammation is what causes pain while swallowing. You may also experience mild irritation / soreness of throat gradually.
Warm water with salt gargles can reduce such inflammation and make your symptoms better.
2. An act of sneeze / holding a sneeze may result in muscular strains. External muscles of the neck can be involved here resulting in pain and restriction of neck movement. Depending on the extent of straining symptoms can be transient or last of day or two.
Rest is all what is needed in this case. If it is hurting too much, you can try warm compresses, topical pain balms/ointment/creams or even over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen 200mg twice a day for 1-2 days.
Let me reassure you, it is unlikely that you have a serious injury. One of the 2 could be causing your symptoms and it should be better very soon.
Hope this satisfactorily answers your query. Let me know if you have any doubts/concerns.
If you do not have any more queries, please close this discussion.
Wish you good health
Best Regards
Dr. Prasad
Thanks for the query.
I have gone through the details submitted with diligence and the possible explanations for this pain are:
1. Sneezing / trying to hold a sneeze can sometimes cause barotrauma induced injuries around the nasopharynx (behind the throat) and upper part of respiratory tract. These minor injuries can induce inflammatory response of mucosal lining almost immediately. The inflammation is what causes pain while swallowing. You may also experience mild irritation / soreness of throat gradually.
Warm water with salt gargles can reduce such inflammation and make your symptoms better.
2. An act of sneeze / holding a sneeze may result in muscular strains. External muscles of the neck can be involved here resulting in pain and restriction of neck movement. Depending on the extent of straining symptoms can be transient or last of day or two.
Rest is all what is needed in this case. If it is hurting too much, you can try warm compresses, topical pain balms/ointment/creams or even over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen 200mg twice a day for 1-2 days.
Let me reassure you, it is unlikely that you have a serious injury. One of the 2 could be causing your symptoms and it should be better very soon.
Hope this satisfactorily answers your query. Let me know if you have any doubts/concerns.
If you do not have any more queries, please close this discussion.
Wish you good health
Best Regards
Dr. Prasad
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
