• Question: Ive always noticed that 'Extra' chewing gum always makes me sneeze when i first chew it why is this? Its always with 'Airways' and 'Extra' chewing gum

    Asked by popthebottle to Meeks, Pete, Stephen, Steve, Tom on 18 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Marieke Navin

      Marieke Navin answered on 18 Jun 2010:

      Hey popthebottle i’m afraid I have no idea – I have never observed this phenomenon myself!

    • Photo: Tom Hartley

      Tom Hartley answered on 18 Jun 2010:

      I haven’t noticed this myself, so it might be specific to you – do your friends find the same thing? It might be some kind of allergy. You could try a blind test where someone gives you “Airways” and some other brand that doesn’t make you sneeze but tastes the same and feels the same in your mouth. If it works when you’re “blind” to the gum, I’d start to suspect an allergy to one of the ingredients. You could compare them to see how they’re different. If you are at all worried about this consult a doctor (because it’s not a great idea to diagnose your own allergies, lots of people think they have them who don’t, apparently).

    • Photo: Stephen Curry

      Stephen Curry answered on 18 Jun 2010:

      Wow – what an interesting observation. I’m not much of a gum chewer and don’t remember ever having ‘Extra’ gum. Is it to help you breathe if you have a cold? I believe the Airways gum is designed to help unblock our nose. It may therefore have menthol or some other compound (eucalyptus) that is volatile and, once vapourised, travels to the nose. This may cause you some temporary irritation that leads to sneezing.

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