Facts
I Wonder Why – Why I Sneeze?
Achuu
Why do we sneeze?
● Sneezing is our body’s way of saying ‘No!’ to tiny particles that enter through our
nose.
● The nose has its ways of keeping out bits of dust and dirt either the hairs in us
nostrils or they get stuck in the mucus in our nasal passages. When these
particles irritate the lining of our nose, we feel a tickle in our nose triggering a
sneeze.
● During a normal sneeze, we take in a big breath, then expel the air very forcefully
out through our nose and mouth, expelling the offending particle.
● If you are allergic to plant pollen, animal hair, or some food items, it may end up in
a bout of sneezing. You may also sneeze when you catch a cold.
● There is the custom of saying “gesundheit” in Germany and ‘Bless you’ in other
parts of the world, when you sneeze. It was believed that sneezing means that
you are about to fall ill and the person standing near you says ‘Bless you wishing
your good health soon.
