The feeling of needing to sneeze, known as the prodrome phase, often begins with a tickle or itch inside the nasal passages. This urge signals the initial stages of the body’s involuntary protective reflex to expel foreign irritants. To prevent the reflex from fully executing, understanding and intercepting this initial signal is the primary goal. The techniques described here aim to disrupt this neurological cascade before the explosive expulsion of air occurs.
Understanding the Pre-Sneeze Signal
The pre-sneeze sensation begins when irritants like dust or pollen activate sensory receptors lining the nasal mucosa. These receptors are branches of the trigeminal nerve, the fifth cranial nerve responsible for relaying sensation from the face to the brain. Once activated, the nerve sends a signal toward the brainstem, targeting the sneezing center.
The signal travels along the trigeminal nerve pathway until it reaches a specific threshold in the brainstem, creating the urgency to sneeze. Suppression techniques aim to introduce a stronger, non-sneeze-related sensory input to the trigeminal nerve. This effectively overrides the initial sneeze signal before the brainstem initiates the motor response. Manipulating the nerve’s branches on the face or inside the mouth creates this necessary distraction.
Physical Techniques to Abort the Sneeze
Applying firm pressure to the philtrum, the vertical groove between the base of the nose and the upper lip, is an effective method. The philtrum lies over a branch of the trigeminal nerve, and pressing this spot introduces a competitive sensory signal. Use your index finger to press firmly upward, aiming the pressure toward the base of the nose. Maintain this pressure for five to ten seconds until the urge dissipates.
Another effective technique involves applying pressure to the bridge of the nose or the eyebrows. Using the thumb and forefinger, pinch the area just above the bridge where the nasal bones meet the forehead. This stimulates different branches of the trigeminal nerve in the facial region. The pressure must be significant enough to cause mild discomfort, as a light touch will not provide the necessary sensory interruption.
A third method focuses on stimulating the palate using the tongue. When the pre-sneeze sensation begins, press the tip or body of the tongue firmly against the roof of the mouth, just behind the front teeth. Alternatively, press against the soft palate further back, applying consistent force. This stimulation sends a strong, localized sensory signal that interferes with the sneeze reflex pathway.
The rationale is that strong pressure signals from the face or mouth flood the trigeminal nerve pathway with alternative information. This sensory overload prevents the sneeze-triggering signal from reaching the firing threshold in the brainstem. These techniques are most successful when applied immediately upon feeling the very first tickle of the urge.
Using Sensory Input to Interrupt the Reflex
Manipulating the respiratory cycle can successfully interrupt the reflex. One approach involves focusing intensely on controlled breathing to reset the rhythm of the respiratory system. Upon feeling the onset, draw a deep, slow breath in through the nose, pause briefly, and then exhale slowly through the mouth. Repeating this deliberate breathing pattern can interrupt the involuntary respiratory sequence that leads to a sneeze.
A distinct sensory interruption involves the Photic Sneeze Reflex, where sudden exposure to bright light can trigger a sneeze in some people. For an individual experiencing the urge, a very brief glance at a bright light source, such as a window or a lamp, can sometimes induce a full sneeze immediately. This quick sensory overload via the optic nerve appears to converge with the trigeminal pathway, either reaching the sneeze threshold faster or aborting the lingering urge.
Mental focusing and distraction can also prove useful in instances of pre-sneeze sensation. The brain requires focused input to execute the complex sneeze motor program. By concentrating intensely on an abstract thought or a complex calculation, a person can divert the brain’s focus away from the accumulating sneeze signal. This cognitive redirection aims to occupy the central nervous system long enough for the initial sensory irritation to subside naturally.