Do allergies cause sneezing?

A sneeze is a sudden, forceful, involuntary burst of air through the nose and mouth. Sneezing is caused by irritation to the mucous membranes of the nose or throat. It can be annoying, but is generally not a sign of a serious problem.

Sneezing is often caused by:

• allergy to pollen, mold, dander, dust (hay fever)
• Nasal irritants such as dust and powders
• Virus infections (common cold, upper respiratory tract infections)
• Drug withdrawal
• Corticosteroid inhalation

Avoiding exposure to the offending allergen is the best way to control sneezing caused by allergic diseases.