When you sneeze you feel relieved. Sneezing is the body's natural way to protect itself from irritants and allergens. Changes in climatic conditions or humidity, pollen mold, smoke, animal dander, wood dust and many other irritants can force you to sneeze.
Certain foods, smells and drugs are also responsible for sneezing in many cases. Another big cause is infection. It can sometimes lead to fatigue, red eyes, runny nose and loss of concentration. It is not a serious condition. You can easily learn how to stop your sneeze by taking some precautions as well as by using home remedies.
7 Ways to Stop Sneezing
Holding your sneeze is certainly not a good idea. A short delay to collect tissue paper is alright, but holding it for long can cause complications in eyes, ear drums and blood vessels. All these sensitive organs on your face must be protected.
Choose a method from the following options that suits you the most in case of sneeze. The trick lies in using home remedies for sneezing as early as possible. It always gives you advance notice. Just stay alert and act fast.
1. Learn to Reduce the Frequency
It may be very helpful to reduce the frequency particularly when your sneeze is persistent.
The method is very simple and you can do it anywhere. You do not require any external object.
Here is the trick...
- Sneezed out first
- Press your tongue on the back of the front upper teeth,
- Pinch your upper lip and the area above the lip and below the nose
This will reduce your urge to sneeze.
Another trick...
As soon as you begin to feel that sneeze is expected soon, just start tickling the roof of the mouth with the tongue to stop sneezing.
These basic tricks may not work if your sneeze is caused by strong allergens or any infections.
2. Stay away from Allergens
First of all find out the allergens that are forcing you to sneeze and stay away from them. If it is pollen causing you to sneeze then don't go to the area from where the pollen is spreading in the atmosphere. If the source of pollen is near your home then keep the doors and windows closed.
In order to avoid sneezing, stay away from the following
- Fumes
- Chemicals
- Wood dust
- Mold
- Pet dander
- Bright lights
- Pollen
It is generally not be very difficult to identify the source of allergies but it sometimes may be difficult to stay away from it. If you live in a highly polluted area or work at such a place, then sneeze may become part of your life. You may have to take major decisions to change your house or job to go to the area where you free yourself from the sneeze.
Sometimes sneeze is caused by an infection due to a virus (flu or common cold) In such cases following home remedies will help you to get rid of your sneeze.
3. Consume Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids
Vitamin C reduces production of histamine which is responsible for sneezing. The antioxidant properties of Vitamin C and bioflavonoids which also work like vitamin C can help control sneezing caused by the common cold.
- Drink orange juice or lemon juice 2-3 times a day
- Eat lightly steamed broccoli
In summary, consume more Vitamin C for the sneeze attacks to reduce. Any other citrus fruit and its juice will be helpful. You can eat papaya, mango and other vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables.
4. Smell Garlic
Garlic with its excellent antiviral and antibiotic properties fights the upper respiratory infections very well. So if you are suffering from common cold which is forcing you to sneeze then use garlic to stop sneezing.
- Crush 2-3 garlic cloves and smell the flavor. It will help clear the nasal passage and breathing properly.
- Add garlic to your food
Both these methods of consuming garlic will help in sneeze reduction. Smelling the crushed garlic is more powerful method as the gases emerging from the garlic directly deal with the viruses to control infection.
5. Inhale Peppermint Oil with Steam
Peppermint oil with its antibacterial properties helps reduce sneezing. Use it along with steam to clear the nasal passage to prevent sneeze.
- Boil water in a small container for inhaling steam
- Add 3-4 drops of peppermint oil in it.
- Inhale the steam keeping your face 12 inch away on top of the container and by covering your head and the container with a towel.
In fact, some people find it soothing to add peppermint oil, but actually nasal clearing is done by the moisture of the steam. Once your upper respiratory tract is clear, your probabilities to sneeze significantly reduced.
6. Drink Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is a remedy for many cold related conditions making you to sneeze. Drinking some type of tea helps to clear a stuffy nose. Ginger is one such Tea.
- Add two cups of water in a boiling pot
- Add 2-3 slices of cut ginger in the water and
- Put the container on heat.
- Let it simmer until the water reduces to half the original quantity.
- Let the tea cool down to acceptable temperatures.
- Strain and add honey to taste and drink.
Other hot tea may also help your sneeze to reduce.
7. Sip Chamomile Tea
If you have easy access to dried chamomile flowers or you store these flowers in your kitchen, then make chamomile tea to control sneeze.
Boil a teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers in water to make a cup of tea. If you want you can add honey to taste. Chamomile tea is excellent for allergic sneezing caused by the flu and the common cold.
Other Precautions and Tips
In addition to using all the above methods or the methods that suit you best, you also have the following choices to control sneeze. Some of them are necessary and others are optional to try them out.
- Blow your nose - Blowing your nose certainly helps in removing the congestion from the upper respiratory tract. This reduces the frequency of sneezing.
- Pinch your nose - Pinching your nose works sometimes as your attention is diverted. You can pinch your nostrils or pinch near the top of the nose between the eyebrows. The method may not work in severe case.
Some people are more sensitive than the others. So, depending on the sensitivities the frequency of sneezing can vary, but it will occur. As you have learned that sneezing is the body's natural reflex action to keep the harmful substance to enter deep in your respiratory system.
So don't worry. it is not a dangerous condition. In fact, it is a condition that is protecting you. By staying away from allergens and treating the infection if any, you will certainly stop sneezing sooner than later.