How to Prevent Sneezing

Have you ever felt a sneeze coming on and would give anything to stop it? This article will show you how to prevent sneezing.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tips & Warnings

• Always practice good hygiene when sneezing or touching your nose. Be sure to wash your hands afterward.

[sneezygirl]

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.