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Step 1
Breathe out forcefully through your nose. Many sneezes are caused by irritants in your nose and breathing out through your nose can clear them. Obviously if you have a congested nose, this will not work.
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Step 2
Forcefully press on the nose where it meets the upper lip. This is not just a technique shown in cartoons - applying pressure to this area with your finger or thumb can prevent a sneeze.
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Step 3
Don't look at light. When a sneeze is coming on, looking at bright lights can hasten it. Look away from light or close your eyes to avoid this happening.
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Step 4
Apply light pressure to the sides of the bridge of the nose. This is another pressure technique that can prevent a sneeze before it's too late. Put just enough pressure to stop the sneeze - don't injure your nose.
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Step 5
Apply superstition - supposedly saying multi-syllabled words that begin with the letter 'a' will prevent a sneeze: aardvark, artichoke, avocado, etc. Use this only if the other methods fail.
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Step 6
Sneeze or clear your nose later - remember that sneezes happen because your body is trying to clear air or dust out of it. If you prevented a sneeze, go somewhere private and blow your nose or try to sneeze again to ensure that your body gets what it wanted.











Comments
sneezygirl said
on 5/26/2009 Yes, many times I have felt a sneeze coming on and would given anything to stop it (especially in chuch or at a nice resturant), but none of these techniques work for me. It may delay the sneeze a few seconds, but it always comes out. I hate to sneeze in public, but I just can't seem to help it. I have never ever been able to prevent a sneeze no matter what I do once I feel the urge.