A sniffle is the instinctive action of inhaling quickly in order to prevent

mucus Mucus ( ) is a slippery aqueous secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes. It is typically produced from cells found in mucous glands, although it may also originate from mixed glands, which contain both serous and mucous cells. It ...

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 Rhinorrhea, rhinorrhoea, or informally runny nose is the free discharge of a thin mucus fluid from the nose; it is a common condition. It is a common symptom of allergies ( hay fever) or certain viral infections, such as the common cold or COV ...

are not always associated with

sneezing A sneeze (also known as sternutation) is a semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air from the lungs through the nose and mouth, usually caused by foreign particles irritating the nasal mucosa. A sneeze expels air forcibly from the mouth an ...

cough A cough is a sudden expulsion of air through the large breathing passages that can help clear them of fluids, irritants, foreign particles and microbes. As a protective reflex, coughing can be repetitive with the cough reflex following three ph ...

ing. Sniffling is not necessarily related to illness. In addition to

allergies Allergies, also known as allergic diseases, refer a number of conditions caused by the hypersensitivity of the immune system to typically harmless substances in the environment. These diseases include hay fever, food allergies, atopic dermat ...

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 Antihistamines are drugs which treat allergic rhinitis, common cold, influenza, and other allergies. Typically, people take antihistamines as an inexpensive, generic (not patented) drug that can be bought without a prescription and provides re ...

or decongestants, or treating the root cause, such as by using an

air purifier An air purifier or air cleaner is a device which removes contaminants from the air in a room to improve indoor air quality. These devices are commonly marketed as being beneficial to allergy sufferers and asthmatics, and at reducing or eliminating ...

to remove allergens. More immediate relief can be had by either

nasal irrigation Nasal irrigation (also called nasal lavage, nasal toilet, or nasal douche) is a personal hygiene practice in which the nasal cavity is washed to flush out mucus and debris from the nose and sinuses, in order to enhance nasal breathing. Nasal ir ...

or blowing the nose, most often into a facial tissue or

handkerchief A handkerchief (; also called a hankie or, historically, a handkercher or a ) is a form of a kerchief or bandanna, typically a hemmed square of thin fabric which can be carried in the pocket or handbag for personal hygiene purposes such as wi ...

. 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.https://fr.wikisource.org/wiki/Petit_manuel_de_politesse_et_de_savoir-vivre_%C3%A0_l%27usage_de_la_jeunesse/Ce_qu%E2%80%99il_faut_faire_et_ce_qu%E2%80%99il_faut_%C3%A9viter_lorsqu%E2%80%99on_est_en_soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9_chez_soi,_ou_chez_les_autres "The sniffles" can also refer by

metonymy Metonymy () is a figure of speech in which a concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with that thing or concept. Etymology The words ''metonymy'' and ''metonym'' come from grc, μετωνυμία, 'a change of name ...

to the

common cold The common cold or the cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the respiratory mucosa of the nose, throat, sinuses, and larynx. Signs and symptoms may appear fewer than two days after expos ...

, 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 Misophonia is a disorder of decreased tolerance to specific sounds or their associated stimuli that has been characterized using different language and methodologies. Reactions to trigger sounds range from anger and annoyance to activating a fi ...

References

{{Reflist Respiration Symptoms

Physiology

Psychology

Sociology

See also

References