why do people close their eyes when they sneeze?

Answer 1

A sternutation or, more commonly known, sneeze is a semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air from the nose and mouth. This air can reach speeds of 100 mph and an unimpeded sneeze sends two to five thousand bacteria-filled droplets into the air.

Sneezing is generally caused by irritation and some times bacterial clog up in the throat, lungs or in the passages of the nose. Allergens such as pollens, pet dander, house dust mites, as well as nonallergenic particles are usually harmless, but when they irritate the nose the body responds by expelling them from the nasal passages. The nose mistakes strong odors, sudden chills, bright lights and even orgasms in some people for nasal irritants, and it tries to defend itself with a sneeze.

It is almost impossible for one to keep one's eyelids open during a sneeze, although some rare individuals report having little if any trouble doing so. The reflex of shutting the eyes serves no obvious purpose: the nerves serving the eyes and the nose are closely related, and stimuli to the one often trigger some response in the other. The closing of the eyes may be to protect the tear ducts and blood vessels from bacteria expelled in the sneeze.

Answer 2

A sneeze is a hole body reaction. And when u sneeze a great deal of pressure is released through the mouth and sinus thus putting pressure on the eyes. So the body's defense is in a "hole body reaction" of clinched stomach and organs, flexed muscle's, increased blood flow and oxygen, rapid expansion of the respiratory system, and even a short instance where the hart will stop and finally the release of said air/ pressure. U should never stiffly a sneeze!! It will force air out the ears and can be harmful to the body....

Answer 3

Why can't we sneeze with our eyes open?
Shutting our eyes while sneezing is an automatic action of the body. Sneezing involves the belly muscles, chest muscles, muscles that control our vocal cords, and muscles in the back of our throat. It is believed that if we do not shut our eyes while sneezing they might pop out of their sockets. Sneezing puts a lot of pressure on our head and respiratory system.Our eyes close to protect themselves.

Answer 4

Actually no one really know why we close our eyes when we sneeze =)

May its because a sneeze is a kind of body-wide reflex in which a lot of muscles contract, not just in the nose and throat, but also those in the diaphragm, the abdomen, thighs, back, even sphincters (which is why some people with stress incontinence may urinate slightly when they sneeze)

Answer 5

The theory is that if one were to keep their eyes open during a sneeze, the pressure built in your sinuses would pop your eyes right out of your head.

Answer 6

Sneezing is a reflex reaction that expels an irritant from the nostril. It is composed of many muscle groups interior the face, throat and chest. The sneeze reflex is composed of the muscle groups of the face that close the eyes to boot. consequently, isn't achievable to voluntarily shop our eyes open as quickly as we sneeze.

Answer 7

I second maat13101's answer... My eyes sometimes fail to close when I sneeze and I never had to pick them off the floor.

Answer 8

It's the body's natural defense to keep the crap spewing out of our mouth/nose, from entering our eyes and causing an irritation or infection.

Answer 9

thats just how God has made it, if your eyes were open when sneezing, they would pop out

Answer 10

Tryu to look at your face when you sneeze!!! You don't wanna see that!!! Cheers