Buzz
When you sense a sneeze approaching, a surge of expectation builds up: you pause your conversation, position your elbow ready for the motion, prepare a tissue, and then...nothing. The sneeze is just stuck.
What can you do to push it out? If you need to clear your nasal passage and eliminate that irritating tickle, you can fool your body into sneezing. The trick is to stimulate the trigeminal nerve (more details below). Here are some methods to try when you're desperate to release the sneeze that's been eluding you.
Place a tissue in your nostrils
The objective here is to activate the trigeminal nerve, which sends a signal to your brain that it's time to sneeze. To do this, twist one end of a tissue into a point. Gently insert the pointed end into one nostril and move it around until you feel a light tickling sensation. Be sure to use a soft touch and avoid pushing the tissue too far up your nose. Typically, sticking things too deeply inside your nose is what many experts refer to as 'not ideal.'
Pluck a nostril hair
Another way to activate the trigeminal nerve is by plucking a nostril hair. (It might have been time for a trim anyway, right?) Be careful when tweezing, as the area inside your nostrils is delicate.
If tweezing a nostril hair doesn’t work, try pulling eyebrow hairs one by one. This isn't a beauty tip–again, the aim is to stimulate the trigeminal nerve through the plucking process.
Gently tickle beneath your nose
If you’d rather not insert a tissue into your nostrils, simply tickling beneath them may do the trick. For the best results, try using a fake feather.
Stare at a bright light if you experience the photic sneeze reflex
Ever sneezed from glancing at the sun? If so, you might have the photic sneeze reflex (PSR). Unfortunately, this technique doesn’t work for everyone, as photic sneezing is hereditary—if one parent has it, their child has a 50 percent chance of having the reflex as well.
If you’re a photic sneezer, try to trigger a sneeze by briefly looking at a bright light. Just be sure not to look directly at the sun, as it can cause serious eye damage.
Gently massage your nose
Once again, the key is activating that tricky trigeminal nerve. Gently rub the bridge of your nose with your hands, either pushing downward or giving a slight pinch. Try different motions until you feel the familiar tickling sensation. While you're at it, you might want to explore this technique to help clear your sinuses.
Stimulate the roof of your mouth
The trigeminal nerve extends along the roof of your mouth, so use your tongue to encourage the nerve to send that all-important sneeze signal to your brain. Try lightly running the tip of your tongue up and down the roof of your mouth.
Sniff something with a strong scent
Some people are naturally more sensitive to smells, so inhaling a powerful fragrance might be enough to trigger a sneeze. You can also try sniffing your spice cabinet. Certain compounds in spices like piperine in black pepper or capsaicin in hot peppers can irritate your mucous membranes. Just be cautious not to inhale anything directly, of course.
Enjoy a fizzy drink
As refreshing as your soda might be, your brain could interpret carbonation as a mild form of discomfort. When certain pain receptors on your tongue are activated, some people may end up sneezing. And if it doesn’t work, you’ve at least had a tasty beverage.
If nothing else works: Have some chocolate!
From what I've researched, some individuals sneeze after consuming dark chocolate. Some scientists think this reaction is similar to the photic sneeze reflex. It’s worth a try.
Don’t be discouraged if none of these methods work immediately. Many factors can influence the outcome, like your sensitivity to irritants or your level of congestion. Always exercise caution when inhaling substances or placing items near your nose. And if your sneeze is on its way, try tilting your head back to help it along. Good luck!
