Common causes of arm pain after sneezing are down to the spine. This is because sneezing puts temporary pressure on the spine. This pressure can be so severe that it irritates the nerves. Pain affects various areas of the body such as the shoulders, arms, fingers, chest and legs.
The most common condition in which people develop arm pain after sneezing is shoulder arthritis. In the shoulder joint, nerves in the arms get affected after sneezing. When pressure is put on the nerve that controls the arm muscles, the nerves can become damaged. If this happens, the muscles tend to tighten and the muscles can become painful. If the pressure gets so severe that the shoulder muscles become affected, the arm bones may also be affected.
Other symptoms that occur after sneezing include
- feeling tightness in the arm
- fever
- a burning or itching sensation around the shoulder and other areas of the body
- the loss of feeling
- dizziness
- sweating
- a weak or heavy arm
When this happens, the person may feel the need to have a glass of water to wash away the pain. It is important to note that pain will disappear in about 15 to 30 minutes. It is a good idea to visit the doctor immediately. Do not use more than one sneeze after it has happened. This may make the situation worse or increase the chance of more pain later on.
Treating Sneezing
It is important to know how to effectively treat sneezing when it happens. Treating it correctly can avoid the further complications. It is helpful to first check if the person has any other symptoms of a sneeze. Many conditions have specific causes that can cause sneezing.
Symptoms that are similar include a bad cough, sore throat and nasal congestion. It is important to talk to your GP or pharmacist to learn about which medications are available for you.
Medicines for Sneezing
If you are not taking antibiotics, a cortisone cream that contains an antibiotic is the first course of action to take. This might help your throat become more clear of mucus and allow the body to flush out the bacteria. The medication has to be taken for a week before using it. If the problem goes away after a week, then your GP will prescribe a steroid. If it does continue, the steroid can help ease the symptoms, but more can be done.
Antibiotics can help in many cases, but they are not suitable to help with the cause of the sneeze. If you have been diagnosed with an allergy, you might be referred to a specialist allergy clinic. They can prescribe medications to help with any symptoms that the person suffers from.
