What happens if you sneeze a few days after surgery?

Question

What happens if you need to sneeze few days after nose surgery? Will you cause any damage if you try and stop yourself from sneezing? How do you also get rid of excess blood and oozing?

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS · Answer

This is. a common question  after rhinoplasty surgery.  Sneezing will not disrupt the rhinoplasty result.  If you have allergies taking antihistamines after surgery may help.  Sneezing with your mouth open is advisable to avoid excess airflow through your nose.

Mark D. Wigod, MD · Answer

Sometimes, you just have to sneeze.  Vigorous sneezing may be uncomfortable and cause some bleeding, but it would be unlikely to affect anything structural.  Claritin  or similar drugs may help.  A gentle controlled sneeze would be best.

Michael R. Menachof, MD · Answer

Sneezing a few days after a rhinoplasty will not cause any problems, but will be messy.  Just make sure and have people get out of the way.  People commonly talk about trying to sneeze with your mouth open but this is oftentimes impossible. Let it happen.  Don't worry about it.  You can clean the excess blood gently from around the nostrils using a Q-tip and some hydrogen peroxide.Good luck.

What happens if you sneeze a few days after surgery?

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