It’s that time of year when pollen is responsible for tickling your nose and making you sneeze. But, what about when you feel the urge to sneeze, and nothing happens? It’s a bit anticlimactic, not to mention annoying, and it can trigger anxiety. Or how about when you need to clear your nasal passages or relieve some congestion and you just really want to sneeze, but it just won’t happen? Don’t fret, you can take matters into your own hands. Here’s everything you need to know about how to make yourself sneeze.
What causes sneezing in the first place?
Dr. Roland Z. Gerencer, MD, otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon, says sneezing is a reflex. “Sneezing is a type of neurologic reflex induced by any type of chemical, mechanical, immunological, or even light stimulus to the sensory fibers in our nose or eyes,” he explains. In fact, he says, sneezing is actually a helpful mechanism to keep out germs. “Sneezing is designed to help eradicate the entry of potentially harmful substances from entering our respiratory system through our nose. There are numerous branches of the trigeminal nerve—the main sensory nerve of the head—that reach the lining of our nose," he says. “When potentially harmful substances get trapped in the mucus blanket of our nasal passages, they can trigger the receptors on the trigeminal nerve, thus initiating the sneeze reflex.” He adds that some people can be more sensitive to the release of histamine, which is why some people sneeze more than others.
How to make yourself sneeze
If you need some help getting your sneeze reflexes going, here are 17 ways to make yourself sneeze and get some relief.
1. Get a COVID test
COVID tests aren’t the most fun, but on top of helping you determine whether or not you have the virus, COVID tests tend to trigger sneezes. Dr. Gerencer says that the nasal swab used to get your sample will tickle and make you want to sneeze.
2. Look into the light
Dr. Gerencer says this is especially helpful for people who have inherited the photic sneeze reflex. It’s a harmless condition that triggers a sneeze when people are exposed to sunlight or even bright lights. Try suddenly looking at a bright light to make yourself sneeze. It can also help to close your eyes for a few seconds beforehand. To avoid damaging your eyes, never look directly into any light source.
3. Sniff some strong perfume
Certain scents can cause an allergic reaction, or they can just make you sneeze. Spritz a strong perfume or cologne into the air and let it waft your way. Don’t spray the scent up your nose, though, as it might trigger something else.
4. Eat chocolate
Yes, eating dark chocolate that has a high percentage of cacao can help potentially induce a sneeze which is also another form of the photic sneeze reflex. This method works best for those who don’t regularly eat chocolate, but even if you do, it’s worth a shot.
5. Tickle your nose with a feather
This isn’t just a fun animated way to get someone to sneeze: Using a feather to tickle the nose can work to trigger a sneeze in real life. Avoid using a real feather and instead use a faux feather under your nose and the tickle will take care of the rest.
6. Drink something carbonated
Not only will a bubbly beverage make you want to belch, but it can also help get you to sneeze. Your nose is more sensitive to carbon dioxide, so too much of your favorite carbonated drink can actually irritate your nose and cause you to sneeze more than you want to.
7. Skip your allergy medicine
Dr. Gerencer says you can make yourself sneeze by not taking your daily antihistamine and heading outdoors on a windy spring day. All of the pollen will be blowing around in the air and cause you to sneeze.
8. Wiggle tissue in your nose
Wiggling a tissue in the back of your nose can bring on a sneeze. Just roll one side of the tissue into a point and put the pointed in towards the back of one nostril and wiggle it. This will stimulate the trigeminal nerve to cause you to sneeze.
9. Massage the roof of your mouth with your tongue
You can make yourself sneeze by massaging the roof of your mouth with your tongue to trigger the trigeminal nerve that runs along the top of your mouth. It’s easy to do: Just press your tongue to the roof and bring it back as far as possible. You may have to do this several times to find the exact spot that will trigger a sneeze.
10. Cool off
Often, you may find that you sneeze more when temperatures are on the cooler side, so crank up the air conditioning or step outside on a cold day. That’s because The explosive release of air through the nose and mouth that is a sneeze is a neurological process that usually starts with physical stimulation of the wide-ranging trigeminal nerve. This nerve’s branches are responsible for sensation in the face and surrounding skull areas. The lining of the nasal passages is also affected as you breathe in colder air. Feeling cold and even shivering can irritate the nerve and induce a sneeze.
11. Rub your nose
Use your fingers to massage the bridge of your nose in a downward motion until you feel a tickling sensation. Massaging will also help stimulate the trigeminal nerve, just make sure not to press too hard on your nose but use firm pressure.
12. Pluck a nostril hair
According to Dr. Gerencer, tweezing out a nostril hair will prompt a sneeze.The lining of the nose is sensitive, and while plucking the hair can be painful, it will give the desired outcome of a sneeze.
13. Tweeze your eyebrows
If plucking hair out of your nostrils seems daunting, then aim a little higher, by tweezing your eyebrows. Grab the tweezers, and try plucking a single eyebrow hair to trigger a sneeze. This irritates the nerve endings in the face and stimulates the nasal nerve. You may have to try plucking a few hairs before you sneeze.
14. Squeeze your nose
Try lightly squeezing or pinching the bridge of your nose, while humming to produce a sneeze. Make sure to let go of your nose when you feel the urge to sneeze because if you don’t you could pop your eardrum.
15. Tilt your head
This technique works well: Lean your head back and look upwards to induce a sneeze.
16. Smell spicy things
“Sniff spices containing piperine or capsaicin, such as cumin, black pepper, chili peppers,” says Dr. Gerencer. These spices are known nasal irritants that will cause you to sneeze. Or, try opening a jar of spices and taking a sniff, or grinding up some peppercorns to induce a sneeze.
17. Use warm water
Fill a small bowl with warm water and dip your nose in it. Breathe in a little bit of the water (not a lot, please!) then quickly tilt your head back. The water droplets in your nose will make you sneeze. While there may be many reasons why you want to make yourself sneeze, Dr. Gerencer says it’s important to be careful to not cause nosebleeds. “Forcing yourself to sneeze in the absence of triggering chemicals serves no purpose.” If you do try some of these techniques, use them sparingly, and be gentle to avoid any pain or damage. Allergies causing sinus headaches? Read more on how to get rid of them.
Sources:
Roland Z. Gerencer, MD, otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon in Albuquerque, New Mexico
