How to sneeze correctly: A Comprehensive Guide to Proper Technique and Germ Prevention

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

An explosive sneeze can propel droplets of mucus and germs at over 100 miles per hour, spreading them up to 11 feet. Knowing how to sneeze correctly is not just good manners; it's a vital health practice that protects both you and the people around you from respiratory illnesses.

Quick Summary

Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth, or turn and sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow if one is not available, then wash your hands thoroughly. Never stifle or hold a sneeze in, as the contained pressure can be harmful, and always properly dispose of used tissues to limit germ transfer.

Key Points

Cover Your Sneeze: Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose; if not available, use your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
Don't Hold It In: Suppressing a sneeze can cause harmful pressure buildup, potentially damaging your eardrums or sinuses.
Wash Your Hands: Always wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds immediately after sneezing.
Practice the 'Dracula Sneeze': This simple technique of sneezing into your elbow is highly effective for containing germs.
Minimize Germ Spread: Dispose of used tissues immediately and properly to prevent cross-contamination.
Teach Good Habits: Role-play proper sneezing with children to instill lifelong healthy hygiene practices.

Why Learning How to Sneeze Correctly Matters

Practicing proper sneeze etiquette is a cornerstone of good hygiene and public health. An uncontrolled sneeze can be a powerful vehicle for transmitting viruses and bacteria, potentially causing everything from the common cold to more serious respiratory infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasize that covering your coughs and sneezes is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. This practice is especially important in high-traffic areas like offices, schools, and public transport, where germs can easily land on surfaces and be picked up by others.

The Health Risks of an Improper Sneeze

An improper sneeze can be harmful in several ways, both to your own body and to others. When you hold in or stifle a sneeze by pinching your nose and closing your mouth, the immense pressure that was meant to be released is forced internally. This can lead to a number of unpleasant or even dangerous consequences.

Eardrum damage: The pressure can travel up the Eustachian tube, potentially rupturing your eardrum or forcing infected mucus into your middle ear, leading to a painful infection.
Sinus problems: Suppressing a sneeze can force irritants and mucus back into your sinuses, causing pressure, pain, and potentially an infection.
Vascular issues: Though rare, extreme pressure from holding in a sneeze has been linked to ruptured blood vessels in the eyes, nose, and, in isolated cases, even in the head or neck. This is why doctors almost universally recommend letting a sneeze out.

The Step-by-Step Guide to the Correct Sneeze

For optimal health and hygiene, follow these simple but effective steps whenever you feel a sneeze coming on:

Be prepared: Keep tissues handy, especially during cold and flu season or if you have allergies. This is your first and best line of defense.
Sneeze into a tissue: When the urge comes, quickly grab a tissue and cover your entire mouth and nose with it.
Dispose properly: Immediately after use, throw the tissue in a wastebasket. Never reuse a tissue or leave it on a surface where germs can spread.
Use your elbow if no tissue is available: If you are caught without a tissue, turn away from others and sneeze into your upper sleeve or the crook of your elbow. This is sometimes called the “Dracula Sneeze” and is preferable to sneezing into your hands, which you use to touch surfaces and other people.
Clean your hands: After sneezing—whether you used a tissue or your elbow—wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Teaching Children Proper Sneeze Etiquette

Instilling good habits early on is key. Make learning proper sneeze etiquette fun and easy for children with these tips:

Use simple, memorable phrases like “Cover your cough, cover your sneeze.”
Teach them the "Dracula sneeze" and explain why it's better than using their hands.
Role-play scenarios to practice, such as being at school or at a friend's house.
Emphasize the importance of washing hands after sneezing with a fun song, like singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice while scrubbing.

Techniques to Mitigate or Temporarily Stop a Sneeze

While suppressing a sneeze is not recommended, there are a few techniques that can be used safely in some situations to calm the urge if absolutely necessary. These are not a substitute for proper etiquette but can be helpful for those who experience uncontrollable, violent sneezing fits.

Press on the upper lip: Firmly pressing a finger against the area right below your nose and above your upper lip can sometimes disrupt the nerve signal causing the sneeze.
Breathe through your mouth: Switching to mouth breathing can prevent irritants in the nasal passages from triggering a sneeze.
Address the root cause: If your sneezes are allergy-related, using antihistamines or saline nasal sprays can help reduce the frequency and intensity of your sneezing over time. For more information on general hygiene practices, you can consult the CDC's resources on coughing and sneezing.

Comparison Table: Correct vs. Incorrect Sneeze Etiquette


Aspect	Correct Etiquette	Incorrect Etiquette
Containment	Use a tissue or your upper sleeve/elbow.	Sneeze into your hands or into the open air.
Hand Hygiene	Wash hands with soap and water for 20+ seconds or use hand sanitizer immediately after.	Neglect to wash hands, or use them to touch objects and people after sneezing.
Germ Spread	Drastically minimizes the spread of respiratory germs.	Maximizes the spread of germs, contaminating surfaces and people.
Health Impact	Safely expels irritants and prevents internal pressure buildup.	Risks internal injury such as eardrum damage and sinus issues.
Disposal	Immediately discard used tissue in a wastebasket.	Leave used tissues on surfaces or reuse them.

Conclusion

Sneezing is a natural and necessary bodily function for expelling irritants. Instead of viewing it as an inconvenience, see it as an opportunity to practice responsible health and hygiene. By consistently following the simple steps of using a tissue or your elbow and washing your hands, you can significantly reduce the risk of spreading illness. This small habit has a huge positive impact on your personal well-being and the health of your community. Make it a part of your daily routine, and encourage those around you to do the same, for a healthier world, one sneeze at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is generally considered bad and can be harmful. The immense pressure from a sneeze, when suppressed, can be diverted internally, potentially causing damage to your eardrums, sinuses, or blood vessels.

While it's best to let a sneeze out, a technique involves pressing a finger firmly against your upper lip, just below your nose. This can sometimes interrupt the nerve reflex that causes the sneeze.

Sneezing into your hands is discouraged because it covers your hands with germs, which you can then easily transfer to surfaces, door handles, and other people you touch.

A powerful, uncontrolled sneeze can release thousands of droplets that can travel several feet, with some estimates suggesting up to 11 feet or more, carrying germs with them.

Yes, washing your hands is always recommended after sneezing, regardless of whether you used a tissue or your elbow. It's a proactive step to ensure optimal hygiene.

If a tissue is unavailable, the best alternative is to turn your head away from others and sneeze into the crook of your elbow or your upper sleeve. This is known as the 'Dracula sneeze'.

Yes, it is possible. Suppressing a sneeze can force infected mucus up into the Eustachian tube, which connects the back of your nose to your middle ear, potentially causing a middle ear infection.