You’re undoubtedly accustomed to the irritating, itchy sensation you have when you need to sneeze but are unable to. Or perhaps you need to sneeze to clear your throat before you speak, go to a meeting, dine, or greet your date.
It is possible to sneeze on command, regardless of whether you are already experiencing that recognizable prickling feeling or you simply wish to get rid of any irritants. Here are a few tips you might use.
1. Wiggle a tissue in your nose
Before sneezing, a tissue might be helpful!
Make a tissue point by twisting one of the sides. To “tickle” the inside of your nose, carefully insert the tissue inside one nostril and move it back and forth. Some people advise humming while moving the tissue to create more effect.
The trigeminal nerve, also known as the nerve that alerts your brain when it’s time to sneeze, is stimulated by this technique.
Don’t put the tissue too far up your nose when doing this; use caution!
2. Look up toward a bright light
Ever start sneezing when you step outside on a bright day? Some people only need strong light to start sneezing.
This genetic sneeze-starting feature, also known as photic sneezing or, more accurately, ACHOO (autosomal dominant compulsive helio-ophthalmic outbursts), affects around one-third of the population.
It’s unlikely that this approach will work for you if you’re one of the two-thirds of people who lack this quality.
To make oneself sneeze, try glancing at a bright light abruptly. A brief period of eye closure might also be beneficial. Always be careful not to gaze directly at any light source to protect your eyes.
3. Sniff a spice
Pepper makes you sneeze, and that is not a coincidence. The nerve endings in the mucous membrane inside of your nose are irritated by spices. Your nose responds to inhaling them by expelling them as rapidly as it can. therefore a sneeze ensued.
If you want to spice up your sneeze, common selections include black, white, and green pepper. Other seasonings like cumin, coriander, or crushed red pepper are also options.
Just a tiny bit at a time; too much can turn something from delightfully spicy to excruciatingly searing.
4. Try plucking out an eyebrow hair
Some people’s reflexive sneezes can be triggered by simply removing a brow hair. Pull out a pair of tweezers and remove one eyebrow hair to see whether this will make you sneeze. This could be sufficient to trigger a sneeze.
With the tips of the tweezers, grab the brow hair close to its root and swiftly pull it out.
5. Pluck a nose hair
We won’t sugarcoat it: this one will hurt.
Your nose’s interior lining is delicate, therefore plucking out a nose hair is not a pleasant experience. However, it can cause a sneeze by activating the trigeminal nerve. Given how delicate the lining of the nose is, just thinking about it could cause you to start scratching your nose.
Should you select this alternative, our advice is: Be kind.
6. Massage the roof of your mouth
Massage the roof of your mouth with your tongue to activate the trigeminal nerve, which runs along the roof of your mouth.
Simply move your tongue back and forth along your mouth’s roof. Be patient: Since everyone has a unique sneeze area, you may need to experiment a little with where to massage, how hard to push, and how long it can take for a sneeze to appear.
7. Rub the bridge of your nose
The trigeminal nerve may be stimulated by massaging the bridge of your nose, which can also assist the moisture in your nose drain.
Massage the bridge of your nose downward with firm yet gentle pressure with your fingertips. Continue rubbing your nose until you notice a tiny tickling there; this should make you sneeze.
8. Eat a piece of chocolate
Sneezing may be induced by eating dark chocolate with a high cacao content. For non-allergy-related sneezes, this usually works. People who don’t consume chocolate on a daily basis could succeed better.
Due to the fact that there is no recognized trigger, this is classified as a photic sneeze reflex. Although the specific mechanism of action is unknown, it’s possible that some of the cocoa particles enter the nose.
9. Go somewhere cool
Take a deep intake of cool air to help your sneeze reflex get going. Try walking outdoors and taking a sharp breath of the chilly air if it’s substantially colder outside than it is inside, for example.
If the temperature outdoors isn’t low enough, try opening your freezer and placing your face briefly in the chilly air.
Another method for accomplishing this is to take a hot shower, then rapidly stick your head outside and breathe deeply in the colder air.
10. Sniff a fizzy drink
One sniff of a carbonated beverage, especially one from a soda machine, may be enough to trigger a sneeze. It may be sufficient to simply consume a carbonated beverage, but you may also hold the cup directly in front of your nose and breathe in that way. You should sneeze in response to this.
Ensure that the soda has plenty of fizz. There could not be enough bubbles if it is flat to cause a sneeze.
Bottom Line
Some of these methods could prove to be more effective for you than others. Do not use excessive force when implementing any of these. Each person has a unique set of sensitivities and responses to irritants.