Why am I sneezing so much all of a sudden? If you’re asking this question, you’re probably in the middle of a sniffle fest. Sneezing from time to time is normal, but something is wrong if it doesn’t seem to stop. In this post, I will discuss the possible reasons for your frequent sneezing fits and what you can do to soothe them.
Why am I sneezing so much all of a sudden?
Are you sneezing in your home all of a sudden? The following might be the reasons why:
1. Poor indoor air quality
The most common culprit to sudden sneezing is poor indoor air quality. Your home’s indoor air might be a cesspool of dust, dirt, smoke, cooking odors, bacteria, and viruses. Without proper ventilation, all of these nasty irritants can linger in your home for a very long time.
Aside from sneezing, family members with asthma will also suffer from serious respiratory distress. Therefore, you shouldn’t dismiss poor indoor air quality because it can lead to health problems if not addressed right away.
2. Seasonal allergies
If your home’s indoor air is within healthy levels, seasonal allergies might be to blame.
We sneeze to remove irritants that get into our noses. And during the pollen season, such irritants will be at an all-time high. In addition, the spores from molds and pollens from trees can wreak havoc on your respiratory system.
This happens a lot if you live in a place notorious for high pollen levels. In the United States, some of the worst places for seasonal allergies are Denver, Colorado; Fresno, California; Provo, Utah; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
3. Pet dander allergy
Do you get a sneezing fit whenever you’re cuddling with your furry friend? If that’s the case, you probably developed a dander allergy.
Contrary to some beliefs, dander isn’t your pet’s loose fur. It’s actually the dead skin cells that your pet sheds. These tiny flakes will go airborne, ready for you to inhale anytime.
Not all people will have an allergic reaction to dander. However, there are some that have heightened sensitivity to it. Also, take note that you can still develop pet allergies later in life, which can be a bummer if you’re a pet lover.
4. A cold is coming
A sudden fit of sneezing can be the onset of an incoming cold. This is a common occurrence during winter when our immune system weakens due to less sunlight. Still, common colds can come and go at any time.
Aside from sneezing, you may have a ticklish feeling in your throat. You may also feel a bit sluggish or light-headed as the cold develops. At this point, you should take cold medications to fight off the infection.
5. Sudden temperature changes
Going from a chilly room into the sweltering heat of the outdoors can give you a sneezing fit. Add the dust and irritants to that, and you’re guaranteed to sneeze like mad.
During summer, it’s best to take it easy on your thermostat. Avoid cranking the temperature too low. The larger the gap between the indoor and outdoor temperature, the more likely you’ll have a sudden bout of sneezing.
6. Exposure to smoke
If someone is smoking a cigarette near you, don’t be surprised if you’ll be caught in a sneeze fest. Of course, some people are more sensitive to smoke than others, but it doesn’t discount the fact that smoke is damaging to your lungs.
In this case, you should transfer to a well-ventilated place to get fresh air. Take large breaths and blow your nose to get rid of the irritant.
7. Issue with spices
Are you cooking when you suddenly sneezed in a row? If so, you should check your spices. Ground pepper is the most notorious sneeze-inducer in the kitchen. Basically, any spice in powder form can irritate your nose.
Some people would sneeze while eating the spiced food. There are cases when very spicy meals cause a sneezing fit as the warm sensation irritates the nose.
8. Bright lights
This may sound absurd, but about 18% to 35% of the population suffers from photic sneeze reflex. Such a condition occurs when a sneeze is induced by staring directly into a source of light. For some, the trigger can be as simple as entering a brightly lit room.
Nevertheless, this condition is harmless. To prevent sneezing, most people with this condition will wear sunglasses or photochromic eyeglasses to shield them from the bright lights.
How to stop a sneezing fit
✔️Clean up your house
The easiest way to stop your allergen-induced sneezing is to clean your home like you mean it. Vacuum the floor, wash the sheets, dust off the curtains, and wipe off surfaces. This way, you can eliminate a large portion of allergens that got stuck on day-to-day items.
✔️Use an air purifier
Another effective way to reduce sneezing at home is using an air purifier. This device will filter allergens, bad odors, and irritants, depending on the filtration process it has. Just make sure that the air purifier is rated for the floor area you’re planning to cover. The one we recommend is TRACKS Portable UV-C Air Purifier, a US-made product built with
✔️Know your triggers
One way to avoid future sneezing fits is to know what’s causing it. Once you’ve identified your triggers, you can make lifestyle changes to avoid the irritants. It’s not an easy process, but very helpful if you tend to get nasty sniffles.
✔️Don’t overeat!
This is quite unusual, but some people tend to get sneezes in a row after a large meal. To prevent this from happening, chew slowly and take it easy on the serving.
✔️Blow your nose
The moment you feel like sneezing, blow your nose right away. This will remove the irritant, which will put an end to the sneezing fit. Also, make sure that you cover your nose, whether you’re doing it in public or private.
✔️Tickle the roof of your mouth
Another way to stop a sneezing fit is to tickle the roof of your mouth using your tongue. Do this for 10 seconds once you feel like another bout of sneezing is about to happen. You can also press your tongue on the roof of your mouth to suppress the urge to sneeze.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do random sneezes mean?
A: Random sneezing can be due to exposure to irritants like dust, pollen, dander, and the likes. Most of the time, this sneezing will subside once you’ve cleared your nose of the contaminant. But if you have allergies, the sneezing may get worse even on a mild exposure.
Q: Can sneezing be a sign of something serious?
A: Sneezing is as common as farting. It’s our bodies’ way of expelling an irritant that shouldn’t be in our noses in the first place. But if your sneezing happens in long rows, you have to assess the environment for irritants. In addition, you should consider consulting a physician if you developed a fever or other symptom after the sneezing fit.
Q: Why is the air making me sneeze?
A: Pollutants are the main reasons why the air seems to make you sneeze. Pollens, dust, and other allergens can be present in the air without you seeing them. And if you’re in a busy street, the smoke of the vehicles might be irritating your nose.
Q: Why do I sneeze in my bedroom?
A: If your excessive sneezing only happens in the bedroom, you have to check your sheets, curtains, and carpet. There might be excessive dust and other irritants that you need to clean up. Consider washing all the fabrics and vacuuming religiously. You should also aerate your pillows and other plush items located in your bedroom.
Q: Is my pet causing my sudden sneezing?
A: Furry pets can cause sudden sneezing due to the dander they produce. If you have a dog or cat, it’s possible that you already developed a dander allergy, which is the culprit to sneezing and water eyes. You can take allergy relief medications to manage this problem.
Final words
Why am I sneezing so much all of a sudden? It can be anywhere from poor indoor air quality, allergies, common cold, and so on. Even the spices in your kitchen can give you a sneezing fit. By knowing the triggers, you’ll know what to avoid next time. Keeping your home clean is also the key to keep your nose calm.
Home Air Quality is founded by Bernard K to provide information on Indoor Air Quality in Homes and enlighten people about what they need to know about creating and maintaining a comfortable and healthy home environment.
We believe that “Quality air brings a healthy life.”
