To stop sneezing, you can try several natural and practical methods depending on the cause of your sneezing:
Immediate Actions to Stop a Sneeze
- Pinch your nose: Pinching your nostrils or the area just below your eyebrows when you feel a sneeze coming can sometimes suppress it
- Tickle the roof of your mouth with your tongue: Pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth for 5 to 10 seconds may reduce the urge to sneeze
- Blow your nose gently: Clearing irritants from your nasal passages might stop the sneeze reflex
- Say an unusual word: Saying something like "pickles" just as you feel a sneeze coming may distract your brain and prevent the sneeze, though evidence is anecdotal
- Avoid looking at bright lights: For some people, bright light triggers sneezing (photic sneeze reflex), so wearing polarized sunglasses can help
Preventive Measures
- Identify and avoid triggers: Common triggers include dust, pollen, mold, pet dander, perfumes, spicy foods, and cold viruses. Allergy testing can help pinpoint specific allergens
- Use allergy medications: Over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, or nasal sprays can reduce sneezing caused by allergies
- Rinse sinuses daily: Using a saline nasal spray or rinse can flush out allergens and soothe nasal passages
- Keep your environment clean: Use HEPA filters in vacuums and air purifiers, wash bedding weekly in hot water, and minimize carpets to reduce indoor allergens
- Manage meal size: Some people sneeze after large meals (snatiation); eating smaller meals slowly may help
Long-term Solutions
- Immunotherapy (allergy shots): For severe or persistent sneezing due to allergies, allergy shots can build tolerance to allergens over time
- Consult a healthcare provider: If sneezing persists or is severe, see an allergist or doctor for diagnosis and tailored treatment
These approaches combine immediate techniques to stop a sneeze with strategies to reduce or prevent sneezing episodes caused by irritants or allergies.
