Mute the sneezing. More risk than you'd expect

Many tend not to release "sneezes," if they are in the workplace or in crowded locations, sometimes to avoid embarrassment and try to prevent the spread of cold infections other times, but scientists have recently warned against "mute sneezing."

"If you try to mute your sneezing, it could scratch some fine tissue in your nose, or lead to a tear in the ear," said Michael Dieg, according to The German News Agency.

The German ear, nose and throat doctor explained that "the air comes out very quickly from the nasal canal during sneezing, and if the nose is blocked to mute the sneezing, the air is looking for another way out, for example through the ear, in which case the pressure may cause the eardrum to rupture."

Mute sneezing can also spread germs in the sinuses or middle ear, causing painful infections, and may also result in nosebleeds or bleeding from the whites of the eye, the doctor said.

Dieg advises against mute sneezing, taking into account the use of a paper napkin or even the elbow, to prevent the spread of germs in the air.