There's nothing more frustrating than not being able to sneeze when you feel like you have to let one out.
While a big sneeze can be jarring and a little messy, it's completely normal bodily function. It's so common, there's a word in the dictionary to describe the sound of it: achoo!
Sneezing is an involuntary reaction when our body needs to clear something out of the nasal passages.
It’s often an intense, forceful movement that involves the entire upper body. In fact, a sneeze can travel up to 100 miles per hour, according to the American Lung Association.
Sneezes can happen from temporary exposure to things like pollen or dust, fumes, or strong smells. It's also a common symptom of upper respiratory infections which cause inflammation in the nose.
Whether you're outside during allergy season or battling a cold, we've all had an annoying case of the achoos.
Occasionally, the buildup to a sneeze can happen without the main event. Have you ever felt irritating, prickling sensation of a sneeze coming on, but can't let one out? Or perhaps you can sense the inflammation in your nasal passages and want to sneeze for relief.
Normally, we don't control when we sneeze. But is is possible to make yourself sneeze on command? You might've heard of certain tricks like staring up at the sun or even picking your nose. Do any of these actually work?
Doctors explain what a sneeze is, why it happens, and which techniques to try to make yourself sneeze.
What Happens When You Sneeze?
Essentially, a sneeze is a forceful, explosive flow of air through the nose and mouth, Dr. Andrew Lane, an ENT-otolaryngologist and the the Director of the Johns Hopkins Sinus Center, tells TODAY.com. Sneezing is involuntary, which means our body normally does it without our conscious control.
"Sneezing is a reflex reaction to the lining of the nose, the mucous membranes, (being) irritated," says Lane.
These membranes lining the nasal cavity contain sensory fibers. When these fibers become irritated or inflamed, this stimulates the endings of the trigeminal nerve, which is a main cranial nerve that provides sensation and movement to the face.
The stimulated trigeminal nerve then sends a message to the brain, which tells the body to clear the nose and throat passages with a burst of air, aka a sneeze, Dr. Jesse Bracamonte, a family medicine physician at the Mayo Clinic, tells TODAY.com.
Once the brain sends the signal to the body to sneeze, this sets off a rapid chain of events. First, the lungs pull in air, then the vocal cords in the throat close. Pressure builds up, and the vocal cords quickly open, which suddenly releases air that shoots out of the nose and mouth, Lane explains.
During a sneeze, the eyes also close and people often make a sound. “You’re not conscious of it, it’s a reflex arc,” says Lane.
What Triggers a Sneeze?
A sneeze can be triggered by anything that irritates or inflames the mucous membranes lining the nasal passages or stimulates the trigeminal nerve, the experts note.
Common causes of sneezing include:
- Allergens (dust, pollen, mold or pet dander)
- Infections (the common cold and influenza)
- Chemical fumes
- Smoke
- Air pollution
- Perfume
- Spicy food
Bright light can also trigger sneezing for certain people, the experts note. "It's called a photic sneeze, which (happens) when you look at the sun or any bright light," says Lane. The photic sneeze reflex is an inherited trait which affects 25–30% of the population, Lane adds.
Sneezing uncontrollably in response to light is called ACHOO syndrome, which stands for “Autosomal Dominant Compelling Helioopthalmic Outburst,” per the National Institutes of Health.
It’s also possible for stress or strong emotions to trigger sneezing through the release of histamines, per the Cleveland Clinic.
While sneezing can be annoying or inconvenient, it's usually temporary and isn't a sign of a serious health problem.
Is Sneezing Good for You?
Yes, sneezing is healthy, the experts say. Letting out a sneeze helps to expel irritants, allergens, pathogens, or other particles from the nose or and throat, Bracamonte explains. Basically, it's a natural way for our body to get rid of something that it doesn't want there.
“It’s a defensive response ... to protect the airways and the lungs,” Lane adds.
However, sneezing too forcefully or too frequently over a period of time could cause issues, says Bracamonte.
Potential risks of extremely forceful sneezing include a ruptured eardrum, broken blood vessels in the eyes, muscle strains, or inner ear infections, the experts note. Holding in a sneeze can also create significantly more pressure, which could lead to injury.
However, these complications from sneezing are rare. "Overall, a sneeze is a good thing," says Bracamonte.
How To Make Yourself Sneeze
Normally, we sneeze on our own without having to think about it. However, it is possible to make yourself sneeze on command, the experts note.
If you feel like you need to sneeze, you can try to stimulate the trigeminal nerve to trigger a sneeze using the following techniques:
Tickle Your Nose
The first method the experts recommend is trying to stimulate the sensory fibers in the nose by gently tickling the inside of the nostrils.
"You can tickle your nose using cotton swab, some type of feather, or something soft," says Bracamonte.
However, the experts warn not to insert anything too far into the nose — a light tickle just inside the nostril should suffice.
Massage Your Nose
Another way to try to make yourself sneeze is by massaging the nose, says Bracamonte. Using your fingers, gently squeeze the bridge of your nose and massage in a downward motion until you feel a sneeze coming on.
You can also massaging the roof of your mouth with your tongue.
Pull on a Nose Hair
If you're able to reach a nose hair, pulling on it can irritate the mucous membrane lining the nose, which can stimulate the trigeminal nerve and trigger a sneeze, the experts note.
However, Bracamonte says he wouldn't recommend plucking out nose hairs every time you want to sneeze. The hairs lining the nose act as air filters to catch particles and debris so they don’t end up in your airway or lungs, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Smell Something Strong
"You can smell something strong to cause a sneeze reaction," says Bracamonte. Overpowering scents or odors can also irritate the airways and trigger a sneeze.
Try smelling perfume, cologne, spices such as ground pepper, herbs, or scented candles. Sniffing hot, spicy food may also trigger a sneeze.
Tweeze Your Eyebrows
Sometimes, tweezing eyebrow hairs can cause sneezing, says Bracamonte. This is because the pain of plucking an eyebrow hair can stimulate the nerves in the face, including the trigeminal nerve.
Look Up At Bright Light
Not everyone has the photic sneeze reflex, but looking into bright light will likely do the trick if you do. It’s not clear exactly why light triggers sneezing, says Lane, but it is thought to stimulate the nerves around the eye, which may irritate the trigeminal nerve.
Next time you want to make yourself sneeze, try looking up towards a bright light. A quick glance will usually do, and avoid staring directly at the sun or any light sources, says Bracamonte.
How to Sneeze Properly
There is a right way to sneeze, both for your own health and the health of people around you.
First, it's important to let the sneeze out. The purpose of a sneeze is to protect the body by clearing the nasal cavity, says Bracamonte. Therefore, you want to allow that air and whatever comes along with it to exit the body.
Avoid trying to hold in a sneeze in by closing the nose or mouth, which can rapidly increase the pressure of a sneeze, says Lane.
While sneezing, the experts recommend taking steps to protect others around you. Sneezing is a very efficient way to spread viruses and other germs, says Lane. These include the common cold, flu, strep throat, and pneumonia, per the Cleveland Clinic.
One sneeze can produce up to 100,000 respiratory droplets, per the American Lung Association. These can travel several feet or more.
When you sneeze, be sure to:
- Cover sneezes with a tissue or your elbow
- Discard the tissue
- Wash your hands after
When to See a Doctor If You Can't Sneeze
If you aren't able to sneeze on occasion and it isn't causing any other issues, it's probably nothing to be worried about. However, if you find that you can’t sneeze consistently or are experiencing other symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider.
Chronic nasal irritation and congestion can affect the sneezing reflex and rarely, neurological problems can cause sneezing abnormalities, the experts note.
On the other hand, if you sneeze excessively and it’s disruptive to your life, it's probably time to see a physician, Lane notes.
Sneezing can be a symptom of many conditions, from pet allergies to viral infections. A doctor can help get to the root of the problem and treat the underlying cause, which can treat the sneezing.
