2006-07-10 19:21:17 · 7 answers · asked by czar 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Found a really neat website looking for this one. It not only discusses sneezing but also includes discussion of yawning and funny bones. Enjoy.
"It is very unlikely our eyes will extrude or 'pop out' if we sneeze too forcefully," says Brian Smart, MD, chairman of the Asthma and Allergy Center of the DuPage Medical Group in Illinois.
Well, if the reason we close our eyes when we sneeze isn't to keep them from popping out of our heads, then why bother?
"Similar to the reflex that occurs when your knee kicks after it's hit with a medical hammer, or the way your hand pulls away from something hot when you burn it, closing your eyes when you sneeze is a powerful reflex," says Smart, who is also a spokesman for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. "You can try and force yourself to keep your eyes open when you sneeze, but it's hard to do."
Another piece of folklore: We sneeze with our eyes closed to keep the stuff we sneeze out from getting in our eyes. Survey says?
"It is also unlikely that the substances we sneeze will get into our eyes, since the substances we sneeze travel some distance," says Smart. "Incidentally, the fact that we sneeze a considerable distance leads me to remind people to always cover their mouths when they sneeze. This will help slow the spread of respiratory disease, and is simply good manners."
2006-07-10 19:28:28 · answer #1 · answered by Miranda 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sneezing is a reflex response that expels an irritant from the nose. It involves many muscles in the face, throat and chest. The sneeze reflex involves the muscles of the face that close the eyes as well. For this reason, is not possible to voluntarily keep our eyes open when we sneeze.
2006-07-11 02:30:35 · answer #2 · answered by A - Riv 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually about 2/3 of the population will close their eyes and sneeze when exposed to bright light. Its simply genetic.
2006-07-11 02:30:50 · answer #3 · answered by ★Greed★ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's Crao Craz the spaz! Hey look, 2 points for a counter insult!
Anyway, about the sneezing. I guess it's just an instinct for the body. Don't other animals do it too?
2006-07-11 02:25:29 · answer #4 · answered by thebewast 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The serious answer is that so you can see who you are sneezing on.
The silly answer is that your brain is hard wired to keep your eyes open.
2006-07-11 02:27:05 · answer #5 · answered by whatotherway 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when you sneeze your organ move at very high rates of speed. because of this you body does what it can to protect everything.
2006-07-11 02:28:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can, if you try really hard. I've done it before.
2006-07-11 02:24:31 · answer #7 · answered by Mickey S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋