How To Stop Sneezing: Home Remedies & Tips

Sneezing is a beneficial reflex that helps our bodies eliminate irritants from our nasal passages. However, excessive sneezing can be pretty bothersome and might indicate underlying health problems. Whether dealing with allergies during seasons, a cold, or other triggers, you must know how to stop sneezing to feel comfortable and maintain your well-being. In this article, we look at tips and remedies to assist you in putting an end to those persistent bouts of sneezing.

Sneezing Triggers

To prevent sneezing, the first step is to determine what triggers it. Various factors can cause sneezing, so it’s important to identify the root cause to prevent it effectively. Here are some ways to do that:

• Allergies: If you frequently sneeze due to allergens like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold, consider getting an allergy test. This will help you pinpoint your triggers and take measures.
• Infections: Sneezing can also result from bacterial infections, such as the cold or flu. Identifying the type of infection will help you determine the proper treatment approach.
• Irritants: Strong odors, cleaning chemicals, and air pollution can sometimes trigger sneezing. It’s advisable to avoid or limit your exposure to these irritants.
• Physical Stimuli: For some individuals, bright sunlight or sudden temperature changes can induce sneezing. If this applies to you, taking precautions like wearing sunglasses on days can be helpful.

What Is the Sneezing Mechanism?

Have you ever wondered why we sneeze? Sneezing serves as a means for our bodies to clear out irritants from our passages. When something irritating, such as dust, pollen, or a virus, finds its way into our noses, it triggers a response.

Our brain sends signals that cause the muscles in our chest and abdomen to contract while simultaneously tensing up the muscles in our throat and face. This results in air release through our nose and mouth, often accompanied by the “achoo” sound.

While sneezing serves as a mechanism, frequent or uncontrollable sneezing can disrupt our lives. Keep reading for some practical tips and remedies that can help you put an end to sneezing.

Home Remedies To Stop Sneezing

You can try natural home remedies to stop sneezing. These remedies are easy to implement and can be pretty effective for reducing sneezing episodes:

• Steam Inhalation: Inhaling steam from a bowl of water can clear your passages and offer relief from sneezing.
• Honey: People believe that consuming honey, mainly local honey, helps your body build resistance to local pollen. This can be a way to reduce sneezing triggered by allergies.
• Ginger Tea: Ginger possesses inflammatory properties that can soothe nasal irritation. Drinking ginger tea can provide relief and potentially reduce sneezing.
• Chamomile Tea: Chamomile has properties that can soothe nasal passages due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
• Peppermint Tea: Drinking peppermint tea can relieve congestion and reduce sneezing.
• Nettle Tea: Nettle tea contains compounds that act as natural antihistamines. Drinking tea might help decrease sneezing caused by allergies.
• Peppermint Oil: A few drops of peppermint oil on a tissue or in a diffuser can help open up your passages and alleviate sneezing.

Other Ways To Stop Sneezing

Apart from home remedies, certain other tips that can help stop sneezing are mentioned below:

1. Stay Hydrated

Maintaining hydration is important for health and also helps in reducing sneezing. When you stay well hydrated, your nasal passages remain moist, preventing irritation that often leads to bouts of sneezing. Make it a point to drink water throughout the day, especially if you’re dealing with allergies or infections.

To end your sneezing fit, it’s best to avoid things that trigger it. If pollen sets off your sneezes you should consider staying indoors when pollen levels are high or using air purifiers in your home. If dust mites are the culprits, consider getting allergen-proof covers for your mattress and pillows. If certain foods or smells make you sneeze, it’s an idea to avoid them altogether.

2. Humidifiers 

Humidifiers can be quite beneficial in the winters. Dry air tends to irritate the nasal passages, resulting in sneezing and discomfort. By introducing water into the air, a humidifier helps keep your passages open, reducing the likelihood of irritation.

3. Over The Counter Medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be quite effective when it comes to stopping sneezing, especially when allergies are the cause. Here are some standard OTC options:

• Antihistamines: These medications block histamine, which is responsible for allergy symptoms such as sneezing. They come in forms like pills, liquids, and nasal sprays.
• Decongestants: If you’re dealing with congestion and sneezing, decongestants can help ease the blockage. They are available as pills or nasal sprays.
• Nasal corticosteroids: These sprays reduce inflammation in the passages and relieve sneezing and congestion.
• Allergy eye drops: In case your sneezing is accompanied by watery eyes, allergy eye drops can relieve these symptoms.

4. Prescription Medications

Your doctor or ENT specialist may prescribe medications if your sneezing is severe and not responding to over-the-counter (OTC) medications or home remedies. These may include:

• Prescription Antihistamines: These are more potent than OTC antihistamines. They are often used for allergies.
• Nasal Corticosteroids: Prescription nasal corticosteroids can more effectively reduce inflammation and congestion in the nasal passages.
• Immunotherapy: In cases of allergies where other treatments have been ineffective, allergy shots (immunotherapy) may be recommended.

Take special care when taking these medications by following the doctor’s instructions to avoid potential side effects.

5. Relaxation Techniques

Stress and anxiety can worsen sneezing in individuals with rhinitis. Engaging in relaxation methods, like taking breaths, practicing meditation, and participating in yoga, can be beneficial for alleviating stress and decreasing the frequency of sneezing episodes.

Conclusion

Sneezing is the body’s natural mechanism to help expel irritants from our nasal passage. Although occasional sneezing is normal, frequent sneezing can be a cause for concern, especially if it isn’t responding to home remedies.

For mild sneezing, certain home remedies can be effective, such as steam inhalation, honey, and herbal teas. To deal with more severe bouts of sneezing, it is imperative to visit your healthcare provider to get treatment. This may be in the form of medications, immunotherapy, etc.

With these home remedies and tips, you can beat the urge to sneeze and improve the quality of your life.