Sneezing Symptoms, Causes & Treatment in Denver, CO

Am I Sneezing Because of Allergies?

The most common cause of continued sneezing is allergies. This is especially true in Colorado where the dry climate contributes to many particles floating in the air. Allergens that we see most frequently include pollen, mold, dander, hay fever and dust mites. It can be difficult to determine which exact allergens are causing your sneezing without help and accurate testing from experts.

Allergies are caused by your body’s response to foreign organisms, much like sneezing. When the body detects an “invader,” or allergen, it produces antibodies that attach themselves to mast cells to fight the allergen. This causes a release of potent chemicals which cause symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes.

Other allergy symptoms that may occur along with sneezing include:

• Coughing
• Headache
• Itchy eyes
• Itchy nose, mouth or throat
• Puffy eyelids
• Runny nose
• Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
• Sore throat
• Watery eyes

Am I Sneezing Because of Infection?

Respiratory infections such as the common cold or flu can also cause sneezing. Colds and infections cause mucus production, which often irritates nerves within the nasal mucous membranes.

Symptoms that may accompany sneezing if the cause is infection include:

• Body aches
• Dry nose
• Fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy or exhaustion

How to Treat Sneezing

Allergies

Nasal allergies are frequently the underlying cause of constant sneezing, so treating your allergies can help eliminate your symptoms. It is important to be tested for allergies to determine your exact triggers, and then work with an ENT specialist to determine the best allergy treatment for you.

Medicines that block histamines, either over-the-counter or prescription, can be effective at eliminating sneezing that occurs from allergies. Nasal steroid sprays are also helpful to decrease sneezing that is related to allergies, but both of these treatments only work temporarily and require consistent, indefinite usage.

We recommend sublingual immunotherapy or allergy drops to our patients to stop sneezing and other allergy symptoms. They encourage your immune system to develop blocking antibodies, which keeps your cells from releasing histamine in the first place and helps to cure your allergy symptoms like sneezing. These simple, customized drops are used daily at home to treat your allergies and can even keep new allergies from developing.

Nasal

If nasal or sinus issues are causing your sneezing, such as a deviated septum, inflammation, or sinusitis, it is important to consult with an experienced ENT doctor to determine the best way to treat your unique problem. Each case is different, but treatments can range from medications to surgical procedures depending on the diagnosis and lifestyle for each patient. Discussing your symptoms and options with a doctor is the best place to start.

Other Causes

One of the best ways to keep from sneezing from exposure to irritants is to avoid things that trigger this reaction. You can make some simple changes in your home to reduce irritants, like using fragrance-free detergents and body products, or cutting and cleaning a pet’s hair more frequently. Some patients find it helpful to use over-the-counter nasal irrigations to remove any particles that have already found their way into the nose. Changing the filters in your filtration system frequently may also help prevent irritants like smoke and pollen from entering and lingering in the home.