• Question: why do i sneeze

    Asked by MattNelson to Angela, Claire, Ian, Robert, Sarah on 11 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Angela Stokes

      Angela Stokes answered on 11 Nov 2014:

      Hi MattNelson

      Everybody sneezes. You can try and hold it back but usually a sneeze can’t be stopped. It is a good thing really because it is one of the body’s natural defences designed to get rid of foreign invaders that creep into your nose and threaten your lungs.

      Your nose is lined with tiny hairs called cilia that catch the foreign particles such as pollen and dirt. Once these particles start tickling your nose, your brain is sent a message to get them out. Your brain then triggers the sneeze response and the force of the sneeze helps to expel the foreign particles from your nose.

    • Photo: Ian Cade

      Ian Cade answered on 11 Nov 2014:

      Just to add to Angela’s answer:

      The sneezing reflex can also used against you (or at least other humans) by viruses and bacteria.

      A virus or bacteria that evolves a way to encourage you to sneeze, for example causing you to secrete more mucus, has a much greater chance to survive by being transmitted to a new host.

    • Photo: Sarah Harris

      Sarah Harris answered on 11 Nov 2014:

      and to add to the other excellent answers, if you’re a photic sneezer (like me!) you sneeze in reaction to bright lights or other stimuli. We’re not 100% sure of the reason behind this, but somehow bright lights trigger the same nerves as particles tickling your nose.

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