Itchy nose but fails to sneeze, what is the cause?

Before sneezing, you will feel a tickling sensation on your nose. To relieve it, you will sneeze. However, have you ever experienced several failed sneezes even though your nose is very itchy? What are the reasons why someone doesn't sneeze?

Cause you suddenly didn't sneeze

Sneezing can be annoying, especially if it happens repeatedly. This occurs because the nerves tell the brain to excrete something that irritates the nose and throat.

Usually, sneezing is caused by an itchy nose condition. This can be triggered by many things, such as breathing problems, inhalation of dust, or certain spices. After sneezing, your nose will usually be more relieved.

However, not all itchy noses will end in sneezing. In fact, it could be that you don't sneeze at all.

What causes you to fail to sneeze?

1. You pinch your nose

As reported from the page Web MD, Neil Kao, MD, an allergy and asthma specialist said one of the things that can make you fail to sneeze is pinching your nose.

According to him, trying to breathe through your mouth and pinching the tip of your nose with your hand when you want to sneeze can stop sneezing.

This deliberate action may reduce the activity of the nerves that send commands to the brain to sneeze.

Although it sometimes works to stop sneezing, it is not recommended by medical professionals.

The reason is, holding back a sneeze by holding your nose and closing your mouth can break the back of the throat.

This condition can cause a person to be unable to speak or swallow, and you will endure excruciating pain.

In addition, holding back your sneeze in this way can also lead to dangerous complications.

Starting from the pneumomediastinum (trapping of air in the mediastinal area), perforation of the tympanic membrane (perforated eardrum), and rupture of a brain aneurysm (swelling of blood vessels in the brain).

2. You may have ENT problems

Apart from being stopped on purpose, not sneezing turns out to be a symptom of an ENT (ear, nose and throat) problem. Starting from the flu, ear infections, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and sore throat.

All of these conditions can trigger an itchy nose that can make you sneeze or just the sensation of an itchy runny nose without sneezing.

A safe way to relieve an itchy nose and sneezing

Being stuck with an itchy nose and failing to sneeze will definitely annoy you. However, holding back a sneeze isn't a good thing either. So, what should I do?

In order to get rid of an itchy nose and keep sneezing, you can follow some of the following safe tips.

1. Drink lots of water

Drinking lots of water can re-moisturize the dry nose caused by infection. That way, the itchy nose symptoms that make you fail to sneeze will subside.

In addition to plain water, you can make warm tea with a slice of lemon. The warm steam from this drink can help clear the sinuses and clear up breathing.

2. Avoid triggers

The cause of someone experiencing an itchy nose and failing to sneeze is an allergy. For that, avoiding the triggers can free you from the tormented condition caused by not sneezing.

For example, using a mask when leaving the house or when cleaning the house. Don't forget to install it humidifier to keep the indoor air moist.