Man's 174 mph sneeze blows wife's hair off. Was worse than Hurricane Andrew.

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MIAMI - Reginald Kaulman has the world's most powerful sneeze - a gale-force 174-mph scorcher so intense it literally blew half his wife's hair right off her head!

"When Reggie is about to let one rip, I always duck out of the way, but this time I guess I just wasn't quick enough," says wife Natalie Kaulman.

"I could feel that hot sneezy air blasting over my head like a blowtorch. This was worse than Hurricane Andrew and believe me, I know what I'm talking about because I lived through Andrew.

"I was scalped."

Kaulman, a 38-year-old accountant, suffers from a rare sinus condition that causes pressure to build up for days in his sinus cavities, rather than release with normal breathing.

Although he sneezes less often than the average person, when he does, it's with what doctors call "potentially lethal force."

Medical researchers were so intrigued by Kaulman's case that some years back, they subjected his killer schnoz to scientific tests. Incredibly, they found that particles were ejected from his nostrils at 174 mph - faster than the top speed of some cars.

"When I cut loose, everyone runs for cover, because papers and files fly everywhere," reveals Kaulman.

Kaulman's potent sneezes have knocked down dog houses, fences and tool sheds in his neighborhood, not to mention blowing away vases and knickknacks - costing the Kaulmans $31,000 since 1995.

More embarrassing still are the countless toupees and wigs he's sent flying and the many skirts accidentally hoisted at church.

Luckily, Kaulman doesn't sneeze that often - roughly once every three weeks.

"When I do, it's a biggie," he says. "I try to direct my sneezes away from people."

The hair disaster took place as they were driving on Biscayne Blvd. on September 30.

"Natalie was driving and I was looking for a restaurant some friends had recommended," he says. "Suddenly, I could feel a sneeze coming on.

"I turned to sneeze away from Natalie, but there were some kids riding by on bicycles alongside the open car window and I was afraid of knocking them over.

"Natalie looked at me but she couldn't duck in time. Just as she screamed, I sneezed - and I do mean sneezed.

Natalie adds: "I almost lost control of the car. A split second later I looked at myself in the rearview mirror and half of my hair was gone and my skull burned like fire.

"Reggie feels terrible about what happened. But I still love him in spite of his sneezing."

Said one doctor: "My colleagues and I agree that it's a miracle she's alive."

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