In some cases, it may be necessary to induce a sneeze. There are several ways to do this, but not all are effective for everyone.
It can be frustrating if you have a frequent stuffy nose or can’t sneeze whenever you want to. The body sneezes to clear debris, irritants, bacteria, and other particles from the nasal passages. This is an automatic response, so it only occurs when needed.
How can I induce sneezing in this situation? Don’t worry, there are various techniques to force a sneeze. In this article, we will show you some natural techniques to make sneezing go faster.
Why do we sneeze?
Sneezing is a reflex response that acts as a protective mechanism for the respiratory system. This occurs in response to an irritant that enters the nasal cavity, throat, or other parts of the respiratory tract.
Here are the reasons why we sneeze:
1. Removal of irritants: The main purpose of sneezing is to clear irritants from the airways. When the body senses irritants such as dust, pollen, smoke, and even strong odors, it triggers a sneeze reflex to force these irritants out of the nose and throat.
2. Allergen removal: Allergens such as pollen, pet dander, and mold spores can cause people with allergies to sneeze. Sneezing removes these allergens from your nasal passages, reducing inflammation and nasal congestion.
3. Infection prevention: Sneezing can also be a response to a viral or bacterial infection. It removes mucus and infectious particles from the respiratory tract, reducing the risk of further infection and promoting healing.
4. Refresh your airways: Sneezing can help clear and refresh your airways, especially if you’re feeling stuffy or stuffy. It’s like a quick reboot of your respiratory system.
5. Lung protection: Sneezing helps prevent foreign objects from reaching deep into your respiratory system and lungs, which can lead to more serious health problems.
Also read: What is the difference between bacterial and viral infections?
Safe and natural tips for sneezing –
Here are some safe and natural tips to induce sneezing.
1. Use a tissue to “tick” your nose
Twist one side to create a tissue point. To “tickle” the inside of your nose, carefully insert a tissue into one nostril and move it back and forth. Some people recommend humming while moving the tissue around for added effect.
The trigeminal nerve, also known as the nerve that tells the brain when it’s time to sneeze, is stimulated by this technique.
Be careful not to insert the tissue too deeply.
2. Turn towards the light.
Some people start sneezing just from strong light.
This genetic sneezing-initiation trait, also known as photo-sneezing, or more precisely autosomal dominant obsessive-compulsive helioophthalmia, affects approximately one-third of the population.
If you’re one of the two-thirds of people who lack this quality, this approach probably isn’t for you.
To induce sneezing, suddenly stare at a bright light. Closing your eyes for short periods of time may also help. To protect your eyes, always be careful not to stare directly into the light source.
3. Massage the palate.
Massaging the roof of your mouth with your tongue activates the trigeminal nerve that runs through the roof of your mouth.
Move your tongue back and forth along the roof of your mouth. Please be patient. Everyone sneezes in different places, so you may need to experiment with where you massage, how much pressure you use, and how long it takes.
4. Smell the strong scent
Some scents, such as strong colognes or perfumes, can cause sneezing. According to a 2019 survey32.2% of people are sensitive to scented products to some extent.
To test this, spray a strong odor into the air to irritate the nasal mucous membranes. Do not spray scents directly into your nostrils or inhale perfume particles directly.
5. Plucking eyebrows –
Cure your sneezes and maintain perfect eyebrows.
The nasal nerve crosses the eyebrows. Plucking eyebrows can aggravate the facial nerve and activate the nasal nerve, causing sneezing.
It often happens quickly, but you may need to lose a few more hairs before you sneeze.
6. Remove nose hair –
Doing so could put you in harm’s way.
The inner lining of your nose is delicate. Therefore, plucking nose hair is no fun. However, activation of the trigeminal nerve can cause sneezing.
You need to be gentle when pulling out your hair.
7. Rub your nose-
Massaging the bridge of your nose stimulates the trigeminal nerve and promotes the drainage of fluid from your nasal passages.
Using your fingertips, massage the bridge of your nose downwards, applying firm and gentle pressure. Continue rubbing your nose until you feel a small tickle. This should be something to sneeze at.
Practice makes perfect, so experimenting with this approach will help you achieve the desired results.
8. Tighten the bridge of your nose.
Some people find that gently pinching or squeezing the bridge of their nose also helps. To induce sneezing, try doing this while humming.
If you feel like sneezing, immediately let go of your nose. If you don’t release the air, it can become trapped in your lungs or worse, your eardrums can rupture.
9. Eat chocolate –
Eating dark chocolate with a high cocoa content can make you sneeze more easily. People who eat chocolate often should know this, but it’s great for people who don’t eat it often.
Technically speaking, this is the photogenic sneeze reflex. Because it’s unclear why it happens (other than the world wanting us to enjoy something like fun chocolate). Scientists do not think this is related to allergies. The theory is that cocoa dust gets into your nose and causes you to sneeze.
Also read: How to deal with seasonal allergies and itchy eyes
10. Stay calm-
The trigeminal nerve and the lining of the nasal passages are both activated by cold air, which can cause sneezing.
If it’s chilly, go outside and take a few deep breaths to induce a sneeze. During the warmer months, try turning on the air conditioner or opening the freezer to breathe in some cold air.
11. Use feathers –
As is often the case in anime, tickling your nose with a feather can make you sneeze.
Enjoy the sensation of tickling your nose with fake feathers. Do not use real feathers, use for external stimulation. Please do not get it in your nose.
12. Spray a strong scent –
Especially strong perfumes and colognes can irritate the nose and cause sneezing. Spray powerful scents into the air while unleashing your inner sociability.
Never spray scented items directly into your nose or inhale perfume particles. Instead, leave your scent close to you and let it do its thing.
13. Chew gum.
Force yourself to sneeze while chewing mint-flavored candy or gum to double the fun. Like spices, the strong flavor of mint can quickly irritate the delicate nerves of your nose and cause you to sneeze.
14. Use warm water.
Fill a small dish with hot water and dip your nose in it. Inhale some water before tilting your head back. You have to sneeze because water droplets get into your nostrils.
15. Smell the spices –
Nasal irritants include black pepper and other spices like coriander, cumin, and crushed red pepper. Piperine, a chemical in black and white pepper, irritates mucous membranes.
A natural ingredient in chili peppers known as capsaicin can also cause sneezing.
If you want to make yourself sneeze, just crush a whole peppercorn or open a container of spices and give it a little sniff.
Conclusion – How to sneeze?
In some cases, it may be necessary to induce a sneeze. There are several ways to do this, but not all are effective for everyone. Everyone has different sensitivity to trigeminal nerve stimulation and reactions to stimulants. There may be times when you have to force yourself to sneeze, for whatever reason. There are several ways to sneeze if you need to, and different techniques are effective for different people. Decide what works best and respond gently to avoid discomfort or harm.
Also read: How to stop runny nose and sneezing: 13 home remedies