• Why do we sneeze?
• Why do we sneeze more than once?
• What is expelled when you sneeze?
• What happens if you avoid sneezing?
• When is a sneeze dangerous?

You notice a tingle or itching in your nose, your eyes start to tear… They are infallible signs that a sneeze is coming. It is a natural reaction of our body that, although it can be annoying (especially if you sneeze repeatedly), is rarely a sign of a serious problem. But why do we sneeze? What is the use of sneezing? We’ll tell you.

WHY DO WE SNEEZE?

Sneezing is a mechanism that our body uses to clear the nose.

When a foreign particle (be it dirt, germs, pollen, smoke, or dust) enters the nostrils, it can irritate the nasal mucous membranes or cause tingling or itching.

When this happens, the delicate lining of the nose sends an electrical signal to our brain (to a different part than the one that controls breathing and is known as the center of the sneeze) to eliminate what bothers us.

The brain then signals our body to expel this foreign body by sneezing and sends signals to the parties involved in this act of contraction: the muscles of the chest, diaphragm, abdominals, vocal cords, and muscles in the back of the throat. And all this happens in just a few seconds.

Sneezing is, therefore, one of the first defenses of our body against foreign particles that enter our body through the nose.

But we don’t just sneeze when something gets into our nose. Allergies, the flu, or a common cold can cause a runny nose. In these cases, sneezing serves to eliminate accumulated mucus.

In other cases, sneezing can be caused by eating some foods or by a reaction to light, among other causes.

WHY DO WE SNEEZE MORE THAN ONCE?

It is common for a sneeze to be followed by others and, although it is not known exactly why it happens, it is probably because the first sneeze was not strong enough to expel the irritating particle.

Repeated sneezing, however, can also result from allergies or persistent nasal inflammation.

WHAT IS EXPELLED WHEN YOU SNEEZE?

When we sneeze, we expel air and droplets through the nose and mouth that mainly contain saliva and mucus, but can also have microbes that can spread diseases such as the flu.

These droplets can travel up to two meters away and settle on surfaces, tables, benches, doorknobs and other frequently touched items.

If you have a respiratory virus and someone touches surfaces or objects where the droplets you’ve expelled are and then touches your mouth, nose or eyes, you can get it. That is why it is so important to always cough covering your mouth, preferably with a handkerchief or with the fold of your elbow because this way you avoid getting your hands dirty and then spreading the microbes.

Repeated sneezing, however, can also result from allergies or persistent nasal inflammation.

WHAT IS EXPELLED WHEN YOU SNEEZE?

When we sneeze, we expel air and droplets through the nose and mouth that mainly contain saliva and mucus, but can also have microbes that can spread diseases such as the flu.

These droplets can travel up to two meters away and settle on surfaces, tables, benches, doorknobs and other frequently touched items.

If you have a respiratory virus and someone touches surfaces or objects where the droplets you’ve expelled are and then touches your mouth, nose or eyes, you can get it. That is why it is so important to always cough covering your mouth, preferably with a handkerchief or with the fold of your elbow because this way you avoid getting your hands dirty and then spreading the microbes.

WHEN IS A SNEEZE DANGEROUS?

In some cases, repeated sneezing can complicate pre-existing conditions or problems. For example, people with frequent nosebleeds may have more bleeding when sneezing or people with migraine may notice more discomfort if     they have frequent sneezing.

Although sneezing is rarely a sign of a serious problem, if you suddenly start sneezing frequently for no apparent reason, it’s wise to talk to your doctor to find the cause.

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