Do you sneeze every time you wake up? People often say sneezing is hazardous to your health, mostly when you suffer from a pulmonary disease. Otherwise, it has proven to be a healthy practice even in people suffering from fatal diseases. In fact, sneezing is a defensive reflex action that may trigger various medical conditions. A person sneezes when there is an irritation of the nasal mucosa. It is the sudden and forceful removal of air from the lungs through the nose and the mouth.

Causes of morning sneezing fits

There are different reasons that are widely accepted to be a cause for morning sneezing:

• Rhinitis (Allergic/hay fever/non-allergic/infectious/occupational)
• Vasomotor rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome (NARES)
• Sinusitis
• When people are exposed to bright light (photo sneeze reflex)
• Breathing in dry air

Sneezing is the protective reflex mechanism which follows the rhinitis of the allergic and non-allergic source. It is advantageous to us only if we are not suffering from any pulmonary or respiratory disease.

Other causes of morning sneezing fits

It is the body cleansing mechanism that helps remove potentially harmful stimulants or irritants from the body via the nose or mouth. Most people sneeze when they wake up in the morning. This could be due to prolonged exposure to common airborne pollutants while sleeping. Furthermore, pollen counts for various plant species are typically high in the morning. As a result, those who are allergic to pollen, may experience a sneezing attack. However, many factors could trigger your morning sneezing, such as different forms of rhinitis, allergens, dust, mites, moulds, wood dust, chemicals, animal dander, dry rooms or air conditioners, bright light, and sinus.

Non-allergic rhinitis is triggered mostly when a person is immediately exposed to cold or warm air in the morning, certain foods, beverages, certain medications, airborne stimulants etc. While the allergy is incurable, you must be aware that if your allergy is exposed to allergens, it may increase your sinus symptoms or any of your existing respiratory conditions. So, it is recommended to take precautions to avoid contact to the allergens.

Also Read: Say goodbye to seasonal allergies with these tips

How to avoid it?

To get rid of your morning sniffles, identify and remove the allergens that irritate you. Try the following tips to keep the allergens at bay.

• Keep the house clean and tidy  by getting rid of dust particles, animal dander and moulds. You can also stay inside your house with your windows closed when the pollen counts are higher outside.
• Clean your bed thoroughly when you are suffering from pollen allergy.
• Bathe your pets regularly
• Try to use hypoallergic bedding: There are certain natural materials available that are capable of fighting dust mites and fungal spores, keeping them away from your bed rather than trapping them in.
• You can also use petroleum jelly as a proactive effort and apply it to your nose at night. This helps keep away the dust mites or pollen so that you don’t inhale it.
• Vaseline petroleum jelly can be used for this or any other petroleum jelly of your choice that is available in the market. Apply it around the rim of your nose and do not place it too far up from your nostrils.
• You can also choose the option of taking certain medications in case the allergens continue to affect you.

If these things don’t help, consult your doctor to know the exact cause of the problem. Stay safe, stay healthy!