Don’t be a sneeze-ball

Monsoon showers are welcome, but not sprays from your sneezes. ETPanache tells you what etiquette to follow when there’s a tickle in your nose

Cover your mouth

When an allergen or irritant enters your body, it wants the foreign particle out. A sneeze helps to expel the mucus containing this particle and cleanse the nasal cavity. That’s why you need to cover your mouth to prevent potentially harmful bacteria reaching those nearby. An average sneeze consists of 1,00,000 infectious airborne droplets.

Don’t use your hands

While the natural reaction is to hold a sneeze in your cupped hands, this is not hygienic. Germs still manage to sneak through the air and if you are not in a place where you can wash your hands right away, you are going to spread germs.

Use your sleeve

Though it may seem a little uncivilised, sneezing into your sleeve is actually your best bet. Curve your arm and sneeze into your sleeve as this will contain the germs, and they will eventually dry out and die.

Keep the handkerchief If someone sees you going through a sneezing fit and from the kindness of their heart offers you their handkerchief, take it. But do not hand it back to them covered in your germs.

Wash your hands

Whether you sneeze in your hands or not, always wash them or make sure to use a wipe or sanitiser