• Question: Why do we sneeze?

    Asked by animals to Anil, Blanka, Cees, Emma, Mike on 29 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Emma Trantham

      Emma Trantham answered on 29 Jun 2012:

      We usually sneeze because something has irritated the lining of our nose. This irritation triggers receptors that send signals to our muscles and make us sneeze.

      So most of the time it is particles of dust etc. that make us sneeze.

      However, did you know that sudden exposure to bright light like sunlight can make us sneeze too? (I’m not quite sure why that is the case though)

    • Photo: Blanka Sengerova

      Blanka Sengerova answered on 29 Jun 2012:

      And presumably when we have a cold it is the mucus that is produced in the lining of our respiratory system that makes us sneeze to get rid of it?

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