Why does it hurt when you try to stop a sneeze?
This was the question tumbling about in my head while I lay on the floor a few minutes ago, writhing and cursing. I’ve been sick as a dog the past 24 hours, and have been sneezing so much I’ve lost feeling in my balls.
Every now and then, a really big sneeze comes along and I try to delay it in time to grab my Kleenex box, but by the time I get the sheet to my face, my insides feel like they’ve ruptured and my ribcage feels brittle.
While puzzling over this question, I found some interesting sneeze-related articles online:
You can even stop a sneeze by pressing your finger into the cartilage between your nostrils. I learned that one from a friend who got a nose job and would rather rip her toes off than sneeze post-op.
(from The Boston Herald)
After a sneeze people often say “Bless you!” Do you know why? In the middle ages people believed that when you sneezed your soul left your body for a brief time. If the devil was in the area patrolling for souls he might capture it while it was unattached. As soon as someone said, “God bless you!” the soul would be returned safely to the body.
(from MonteCarlo)
Oh, well that explains everything. It’s not just some germs you’re trying to expel, it’s your friggin’ soul. No wonder my balls feel numb.