Does putting your finger under your nose stop a sneeze? We examine the science behind the myth

It is estimated that a sneeze can travel at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, which is why people often want to suppress one. But does putting your finger under your nose stop a sneeze? This article examines the neurological basis for this common action.

Quick Summary

Pressing on the area beneath your nose can sometimes help suppress a sneeze by stimulating a nerve that sends a distracting signal to your brain. It's a neurological trick, not a guaranteed method, and timing is key for it to be effective.

Key Points

• Neurological Trick: Pressing the philtrum stimulates the trigeminal nerve, which can interrupt the sneeze signal by distracting the brain.

• Timing is Key: This method is most effective when performed at the first tingle, before the sneeze reflex is in full motion.

• Potential Risks: Forcefully stopping a sneeze by pinching your nose can increase pressure, potentially causing minor injuries like a burst eardrum.

• Safer Alternatives: Other options, like pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth, also work by creating a competing neurological signal.

• Embrace the Sneeze: In most cases, it is safer to let the sneeze happen naturally, using a tissue or your elbow to prevent spreading germs.

• Not a Guarantee: The effectiveness of this trick varies from person to person and is never a foolproof way to stop a sneeze.

It is estimated that a sneeze can travel at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, which is why people often want to suppress one. But does putting your finger under your nose stop a sneeze? This article examines the neurological basis for this common action, exploring how and why this anecdotal trick can sometimes work, and also addressing the important question of whether you should be stopping a sneeze at all.

The Anatomy of a Sneeze

A sneeze, or sternutation, is a powerful, involuntary reflex. It's the body's way of forcibly expelling irritants, such as dust, pollen, or germs, from the nasal passages. This complex process involves several parts of your nervous system and body working in rapid succession.

1. Irritation: It begins when an irritant stimulates the mucous membranes lining the nose.
2. Neural Signal: Sensory nerves, primarily branches of the trigeminal nerve, detect this irritation and send a signal to the brainstem.
3. The Brain's Response: The brainstem processes the signal and triggers the sneeze reflex. This response is automatic, not something you can consciously control once it's fully initiated.
4. Forceful Expulsion: The brainstem sends signals back to various muscles, causing a deep breath, followed by a powerful, coordinated contraction of the diaphragm and chest muscles. This builds up pressure, which is then released in a sudden, explosive exhalation through the nose and mouth.

The Trigeminal Nerve and Neural Distraction

The reason placing a finger under your nose can sometimes work is all thanks to a concept called neural distraction and the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve is the largest of the 12 cranial nerves, responsible for sensory information from the face, including touch, pain, and temperature.

The specific spot you press, the philtrum (the vertical groove in the midline of the upper lip), is rich with nerve endings connected to the trigeminal nerve. By applying pressure to this area, you are essentially creating a new, competing sensation that the brain must process. This can temporarily override the initial irritation signal from your nasal passages, effectively short-circuiting the sneeze reflex.

How to Perform the Trick Correctly

For this method to have any chance of success, it must be performed at the earliest sign of a sneeze. Once the full reflex is underway, it is almost impossible to stop.

1. Recognize the Warning Signs: Pay attention to the subtle tingle or itching sensation in your nose that precedes a sneeze.
2. Apply Pressure: Use your index finger to firmly press on the philtrum, the area between your nose and upper lip.
3. Hold Firmly: Maintain the pressure for several seconds. You should feel a distinct sensation of pressure, not just a light touch.
4. Repeat if Necessary: If the urge doesn't subside immediately, adjust the pressure or try again. Some people also find that pressing and rubbing works best.

The Controversy: Should You Stop a Sneeze?

While the desire to suppress a sneeze can be strong, especially in a quiet room, many medical professionals advise against it due to potential risks. Forcibly holding a sneeze by pinching your nose and closing your mouth can lead to a significant buildup of pressure.

This pressure has to go somewhere, and it can be rerouted to other parts of the head, leading to complications, though they are rare. Reported (though infrequent) incidents from suppressing a sneeze include:

• Ruptured eardrums
• Damage to blood vessels in the eyes or nose
• Throat injuries
• Damage to the sinuses

The overwhelming recommendation is to allow the sneeze to happen naturally, using proper etiquette to prevent the spread of germs. Sneezing into a tissue or the crook of your elbow is the best practice for hygiene and safety.

Comparison of Sneeze-Stopping Methods

Method	Mechanism	Effectiveness	Safety	Discretion	Ease of Use
Finger under nose	Neural distraction via trigeminal nerve stimulation.	Moderate; highly dependent on timing.	High; low risk if not holding the breath.	High; can be subtle.	High; easy to perform.
Tongue on roof of mouth	Neural distraction via trigeminal nerve stimulation.	Moderate; similar to the finger press method.	High; very low risk.	High; completely discreet.	High; requires no hands.
Pinching the nose	Obstructing the nasal passage.	High; can be very effective at stopping.	Low; increases internal pressure significantly.	Low; very obvious action.	Medium; requires two hands.
Letting it happen	Allows reflex to complete its function.	100% Effective at completing the sneeze.	Very High; safest option.	Low; depends on volume and context.	Very High; requires no action.

Other Sneeze-Stopping Techniques

If the finger-under-the-nose trick doesn't work for you, or if you want to explore other low-risk options, consider these alternatives, all of which rely on a similar principle of neural distraction:

• Press your tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth. This technique applies pressure to nerve endings that can interrupt the signal.
• Tickle the roof of your mouth. Using your tongue to actively tickle or scratch the roof of your mouth, particularly just behind your front teeth, can also create a powerful, distracting signal.
• Pinch the bridge of your nose. A gentle pinch on the soft part of your nose where your glasses might rest can sometimes redirect the sensory input and halt the sneeze.
• Expose yourself to a bright light. This is known as the photic sneeze reflex (or ACHOO syndrome), and for some people, looking at a bright light can trigger a sneeze. For others, a sudden blast of light might cause a brief neurological reset that stops the reflex.

For a more comprehensive look into the science of suppressing sneezes, explore this article from Upstate Health magazine.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

So, does putting your finger under your nose stop a sneeze? Yes, sometimes it does, but it's not a magical cure. The method's success depends on perfect timing and the strength of the neural distraction. It works by creating a competing signal that can temporarily overwhelm the sneeze reflex trigger in the trigeminal nerve. However, for most situations, the safest and most hygienic option is to simply let the sneeze happen, using proper cough and sneeze etiquette. If you find yourself needing a discreet solution, remember the key is to apply pressure gently and at the very first sign of the reflex. Avoid forcibly holding a sneeze, as the minimal risk of injury is not worth the slight social embarrassment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does putting your finger under your nose stop a sneeze every time?

No, the method is not foolproof. It works by creating a distracting sensation to interrupt the reflex, and its effectiveness varies by individual and timing. If the reflex is already in full swing, it will likely be unsuccessful.

Is it dangerous to stop a sneeze?

Forcefully suppressing a sneeze by holding your nose and mouth shut can be dangerous. The rapid buildup of pressure can potentially cause tissue damage, ruptured eardrums, or even affect blood vessels in rare cases.

Why does pressing under the nose work for some people?

The pressure stimulates branches of the trigeminal nerve in the upper lip and nasal area, sending a competing signal to the brain. This can temporarily override the initial sneeze impulse from the nasal irritants.

What is the best way to stop a sneeze safely?

The safest method is to allow the sneeze to happen, using a tissue or sneezing into your elbow to manage hygiene. Gentle pressure techniques like the finger press are low-risk if performed correctly, but are not always effective.

What causes the sneeze reflex?

A sneeze is a reflex triggered by irritants like dust, pollen, or pepper stimulating the mucous membranes in your nose. The body's automatic response is to forcibly expel the irritants.

Are there other ways to prevent a sneeze?

Yes, other distraction methods include pressing your tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth, pinching the bridge of your nose, or briefly focusing on a bright light (for those with the photic sneeze reflex).

Can you get a giant sneeze later if you stop one?

While the suppressed sneeze doesn't build up into a 'giant' one, the initial irritation that triggered the reflex often remains. This means the urge to sneeze may return shortly after you stop the initial reflex.