SINUS AND ALLERGY: WHAT MAKES US SNEEZE

Sneezing is considered to be a reflex – a normal, uncontrollable response to irritation inside the nose. It is the body’s way of getting rid of nasal irritants like dust.

When the inside of your nose is irritated, the brain sends out messages to various muscles throughout the body, which work together to produce the complex sneeze. Colds and allergies often make us sneeze. But there are other triggers such as:

• Bright Light

One in four people are ‘photic sneezers’. This means they sneeze in response to sudden exposure to bright light. When a photic sneezer is suddenly exposed to bright light, scientists believe that the nerves in the eyes become active. They then send signals to the brain, which mistakes the light signal for an irritant in the nose.

• Dust

Dust as well as mould, pollen and other allergens can make us sneeze. Allergies are an immune reaction to substances that are often harmless. One of the first lines of defence against allergens is the nose—which is why we often sneeze when dust or pollen first enters the nasal passages.

• Cold Air

A sudden blast of cold air—either from leaving a heated building and stepping into the cold outdoors, or entering a cool building from a hot summer day—can trigger a sneeze. This happens because the sudden blast of cold air causes the membranes in the nose to become enlarged, bringing on a sneeze.

• Pepper

White, black, red and green peppercorns all contain a chemical called piperine, which irritates the nose and causes sneezing.

For short-term relief, decongestants can help curb the swelling inside your nose and sinuses, and help you breathe more easily