Intractable Sneezing: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Abstract Sneezing is usually the physiologic response to nasal irritation but intractable paroxysmal sneezing is very uncommon. Various causative factors have been identified in the literature; these include psychologic problems, cervical lymphadenitis, epilepsy, and allergy. Majority of cases of intractable sneezing are reported among adolescents and are psychogenic in origin. We report one young lady with intractable paroxysmal sneezing in whom the removal of psychogenic stressors resulted in complete remission. The sneezing was continuous but did not occur while talking or sleeping, and did not respond to antihistamines, steroids and bronchodilators. The authors discuss the patients’ treatment and outcomes and the pathophysiology of intractable paroxysmal sneezing.