Biology:Sniffle

Short description: Act of inhalation

A sniffle is the instinctive action of inhaling quickly in order to prevent mucus from flowing from one's nasal cavity, as an alternative to blowing the nose.

Physiology

For a fraction of a second, the performer inhales strongly, pulling mucus from the outer part of the nasal cavity higher up, even into the sinus. This action is generally repeated every few seconds or minutes as the pulled mucus returns to the outer part of the nasal cavity, until the mucus stops returning (due to the mucus having drained into the throat, the nose having been blown to remove the mucus, or some other factor).

Sniffling and having a runny nose are not always associated with sneezing or coughing.

Sniffling is not necessarily related to illness. In addition to allergies and colds, it can be a result of being in cold temperatures, as a way to hold back tears, and as a tic.

When it is related to illness, sniffling can aggravate or extend the illness (relative to not sniffling), by returning to the sinuses whatever substance (such as allergens) the mucus that is sniffled back was removing.

Reducing the need to sniffle generally involves reducing the symptoms causing the excessive mucus, often through antihistamines or decongestants, or treating the root cause, such as by using an air purifier to remove allergens. More immediate relief can be had by either nasal irrigation or blowing the nose, most often into a facial tissue or handkerchief. Some seek out a bathroom and blow their noses into a sink, which they then wash along with their hands.

Psychology

Many people are unconscious of their sniffling, hence the stereotype of children as more apt to sniffle, since they are less conscious of stigma. The sharp high pitched noise of a sniffle can easily become both inaudible to the performer, who experiences it as a relief, and irritating to those around the sniffler.

Sociology

In many cultures, blowing one's nose in public is considered impolite, and in reaction, people can make a habit of sniffling. In many other cultures, it is considered very impolite to sniffle.

"The sniffles" can also refer by metonymy to the common cold, though colds often do not result in sniffles and sniffles often are not caused by colds.

The sound of sniffles can trigger fight-or-flight reactions or anger (with results up to and including involuntary violence) in some with misophonia.

See also

• Rhinorrhea
• Allergy
• Common cold
• Sneeze
• Facial tissue