Have you ever felt the urge to sneeze, but it only stopped in your nostrils, which made your body squirm with discomfort? Maybe you want to let out a sneeze before speaking in public, going to a meeting, eating a meal, or meeting a date. Fortunately, because sneezing is a natural reaction, you can trigger a sneeze with the right stimulus. Of course, not all methods will work for everyone. Excessive sneezing is also an unhealthy act. Try some of the methods in this article, or try blowing your nose as well.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Stimulating the Sense of Smell to Trigger Sneezing
Step 1. Breathe in the aroma of cooking spices
Inhaling the aroma of certain cooking spices can trigger sneezing. Try looking for packaging for cooking spices such as black pepper, cumin, coriander leaves, or chili powder. Open the spice pack and inhale the aroma right away, or add it to dishes while inhaling the aroma.
Grinding spices can also trigger sneezing. Try mashing a few peppers with a pestle and mortar to induce sneezing
Step 2. Inhale a small amount of capsicum extract
Capsicum is naturally made from chili peppers, and is used as a medicine and pepper spray. This material is also sometimes used to reduce the symptoms of polyps in the nose, and can be used safely even if it causes temporary discomfort. Since you're looking for a way to sneeze, don't put this extract inside your nose as it can irritate your nose. You should apply capsicum extract on a cotton bud and place it in front of your nose and then inhale the aroma.
If you don't have capsicum extract, you can split a chili pepper, such as cayenne pepper or jalapeno. After that, wipe a cotton bud into the inside of the chili, and inhale the aroma of capsicum through your nose
Step 3. Sip a fizzy drink
Sip a carbonated drink (preferably a soda fountain) to stimulate sneezing. You may be able to sneeze just by drinking it, but don't be afraid to inhale the aroma by placing the drink cup under your nose. This method can make you sneeze.
Make sure the soda pops enough bubbles. Otherwise, you may not be able to sneeze
Step 4. Chew peppermint gum
For some people, the taste of peppermint can make them sneeze. So, if you have peppermint or mint gum in your house, try popping it in your mouth. Inhaling the smell of candy while chewing may make you sneeze.
- You can also try inhaling a bottle of peppermint essential oil if you have one. Just open the bottle and inhale the aroma of the oil through your nose.
- Inhaling the scent of toothpaste may also be beneficial. Just open the lid of the toothpaste package and inhale the aroma through your nose.
Method 2 of 3: Using Other Sensations to Trigger Sneezing
Step 1. Tickle your nose
Trick the nasal defense mechanism by messing with the brain to send a command to the nose to sneeze. You can do this by gently tickling the inside of your nose. The inside of the nose is very sensitive to disturbances. Use a tissue to tickle your nose hairs so you will accidentally sneeze.
- Roll up the tissue to form a small end. Insert the tip of the tissue into your nostril, then twist and shake the tissue. Your nose will tingle.
- In the same way, you can use a feather to tickle the bottom of your nose. You don't even have to put anything on to irritate the nose. You can sneeze with just the fur itself.
- Do not put anything (even just a tissue) into the nose beyond the inner edge of the nostril.
- Do not use bobby pins or small sharp tools to stimulate nasal hair.
Step 2. Try plucking your eyebrows
Some people will reflexively sneeze when their eyelashes are pulled out. To see if this method works for you, prepare a tweezer and use it to pluck an eyebrow. This may be enough to make you sneeze.
Pinch the eyebrows near the roots and pull them quickly
Step 3. Gaze at a bright light suddenly
Up to a third of people have a "light-related sneeze reflex." If you are one of these lucky people, you will immediately sneeze if you are exposed to bright light suddenly. To find out if you are one of these types of people, turn off the lights and close your eyes. After your eyes have adjusted to the darkness for a few minutes, turn your gaze to the lamp and turn it on.
- Or close your eyes tightly when outdoors on a sunny day. Cover the sun with your hands too. After a minute or two, release your hands and open your eyes at the same time.
- This method is useful because the trigeminal nerve (the nerve that controls sneezing) is right next to the optic nerve. Overstimulation of the optic nerve will "hit" the trigeminal nerve, causing your body to respond incorrectly by sneezing.
- Never look directly at the sun as it can damage your eyes in no time.
Step 4. Take a deep breath in the cold air
Another great way to trigger the sneeze reflex is to take deep breaths of cold air. Try to shock your nasal passages by inhaling cooler air than the air you were breathing in earlier. For example, if you're indoors and it's colder outside, try to go outside and take a sudden cold breath.
- If the air outside isn't cold enough, you can put your head in the freezer!
- Another thing you can do is take a hot shower, then quickly get your head out of the shower and take a deep breath of cool air.
Method 3 of 3: Reducing Sneezing Desire
Step 1. Rub the nose when it itch
If your nose or the area around it is itchy, this may cause you to feel like sneezing. Try lightly rubbing your nose with the back of your hand to reduce the urge to sneeze. Press the tongue against the teeth to block the sneeze signal to the brain.
If the itching in the nose is quite severe or does not go away, talk to your doctor about this. You may have an allergic reaction to something
Step 2. Avoid irritants and allergens
Exposure to irritants and allergens such as dust, chemicals, and smoke can make you feel like sneezing. So if your surroundings are filled with irritants or allergens, do something to eliminate or reduce them.
- Try buying a home air purifier if you suspect dust and mold are causing you to sneeze.
- Don't let anyone smoke in the house. Ask them to leave the house, and try to stay away from people who are smoking.
- Use chemicals such as cleaning products in rooms with wide ventilation. Open a window or turn on a fan while you are using chemicals that can trigger sneezing.
Step 3. Blow your nose or use a decongestant
Blockage in the nasal cavity can also make you feel like sneezing. If your nose is stuffy, try blowing it out or using a decongestant. This method should relieve the urge to sneeze.
Step 4. Overcome a severe cold
During a cold, you may be sneezing. So, treat flu symptoms with medicine, blow your nose often, and use cough drops to soothe your nasal passages.
- If you have a severe cold that can't be cured with regular medicine, call your doctor. You may need prescription medications to help relieve flu symptoms and support your recovery.
- You can also ask your doctor to give you an allergy test if you suspect this is causing you to have a constant urge to sneeze. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications that can help.
