21 Surprising Sneezing Facts You Didn't Know

Sneezing is a natural bodily function that helps expel irritants from the nose or throat. It’s a fascinating and involuntary reflex that occurs without warning, often catching us by surprise.

While sneezing is typically harmless, it can be an indication of allergies, such as reactions to pollen or hay.

Despite its sudden nature, most people overlook the intricacies of sneezing. Let’s explore some amazing and lesser-known facts about sneezing that might just surprise you.

1. The Longest Sneezing Streak Lasted Almost Three Years

Donna Griffiths holds the record for the longest sneezing spree, which lasted an astounding 976 days! She began sneezing on July 26, 1981, and didn’t stop until September 16, 1983.

During this time, it is estimated that she sneezed millions of times, earning her a spot in the Guinness World Records.

2. You Can’t Stop a Sneeze in Progress

Once a sneeze starts, there’s no stopping it. Sneezing is an involuntary reflex that, once triggered, must complete its course.

To prevent sneezing, one can try to avoid known triggers, such as allergens or strong smells. It’s worth noting that attempting to suppress a sneeze can be dangerous.

Forcing it back could rupture an eardrum or damage blood vessels in the nose and eyes. The best approach is to let the sneeze happen since it helps expel irritants from the nasal passages.

3. Sneezing and Closing Eyes Go Hand in Hand

It is nearly impossible to sneeze with your eyes open. The body automatically shuts the eyes during a sneeze as a reflex action.

There’s a popular myth that if you sneeze with your eyes open, your eyeballs might pop out.

However, this is untrue; the pressure generated by sneezing is not enough to cause such a dramatic event.

4. Each Sneeze Releases Tens of Thousands of Droplets

One reason the flu spreads so quickly is because a single sneeze can release up to 40,000 droplets! These droplets come from both the nose and the mouth, making it easy for germs to spread.

For this reason, it’s best to sneeze into your elbow rather than your hands, as this prevents the contamination of surfaces that others might touch.

5. Sneezes Are Surprisingly Fast

Sneezes can reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, much faster than a cough, which tops out at about 50 miles per hour.

This incredible speed is another reason it’s best to avoid suppressing a sneeze—doing so could lead to potential injuries.

Given these speeds, it’s also almost impossible to sneeze silently.

6. The Average Person Sneezes Several Times Daily

A study found that most people sneeze about four times a day, with the number increasing for those with allergies.

Sneezing is a normal daily activity that our bodies use to keep the nasal passages clean and clear of irritants.

7. You Can’t Sneeze While Sleeping

When a person is in deep sleep, particularly during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase, the muscles relax completely.

This relaxation makes sneezing impossible, even if irritants are present in the nasal passages.

8. Nose Size Influences Sneeze Volume

Believe it or not, the size of your nostrils can affect the volume of your sneezes.

Larger nostrils can produce louder sneezes because more air is expelled, creating a bigger echo.

Likewise, individuals with larger lungs can also produce louder sneezes due to the greater force of air being expelled.

9. Bright Light Can Trigger Sneezes

About 35% of people experience what is known as the photic sneeze reflex, where exposure to bright light—whether artificial or sunlight—can trigger a sneeze.

Those with this reflex can often induce a sneeze simply by stepping into sunlight.

10. Multiple Sneezes Are Common

Often, one sneeze isn’t enough to clear all the irritants from the nasal passages.

The body may trigger additional sneezes to fully remove these irritants, which is why people often sneeze two or three times in quick succession.

11. Wild Dogs Use Sneezing as a Voting Method

In packs of African wild dogs, sneezing is used as a form of voting.

If a sufficient number of dogs sneeze, it signals the pack to move or start a hunt. Fewer sneezes mean that they stay put.

This unique form of democratic decision-making is quite fascinating in the animal kingdom.

12. Iguanas Are the Sneeziest Creatures on Earth

Iguanas are known as the sneeziest animals due to their unique way of excreting excess salt from their bodies.

Instead of through urine or sweat, iguanas sneeze to get rid of the salt, making them the world’s most prolific sneezers.

13. Insects and Fish Don’t Sneeze

While most animals with lungs can sneeze to clear irritants, insects and fish lack the necessary respiratory mechanisms.

They have other methods to remove irritants from their systems, but sneezing isn’t one of them.

14. Some People Sneeze After Eating

There’s a phenomenon known as the snatiation reflex, which causes some individuals to sneeze after eating a large meal.

This reflex is triggered when the stomach becomes overly full and stretches more than usual, affecting a select group of people.

15. A Sneeze Can Travel Up to 27 Feet

Research conducted by Lydia Bourouiba at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that a sneeze can travel up to 27 feet (8 meters) depending on factors like humidity and temperature.

The particles released can remain suspended in the air for a significant period, which is why sneezing etiquette is so important.

16. Tickling the Nose Can Induce Sneezing

Lydia Bourouiba’s research also demonstrated that sneezing can be triggered by tickling a person’s nose with a rod-like object for a few seconds.

This experiment showed how sensitive our nasal passages are to physical stimuli.

17. Sneezing “Etiquette” Exists Across Cultures

Different cultures have various customs around sneezing. For example, in some cultures, people say “Bless you” or “Gesundheit” when someone sneezes.

These phrases have historical origins; in ancient times, sneezing was thought to expel evil spirits, and people were blessed to keep them away.

18. Sneezing is Contagious

Just like yawning, sneezing can also be contagious. When someone sees or hears another person sneeze, it might trigger their own sneezing reflex.

Scientists believe this could be a social bonding mechanism or a way to increase group alertness.

19. Some People Sneeze Due to Strong Emotions

For a small percentage of people, sneezing can be triggered by strong emotions such as excitement, stress, or anxiety.

This reflex is known as “emotional sneezing” and is not fully understood by scientists.

20. The Sneeze Reflex Can be Enhanced

In rare cases, people with hyper-reflexive sneezing may find their sneeze reflex amplified by everyday actions, such as eating, brushing their teeth, or even intense thoughts.

This rare condition makes sneezing a more frequent occurrence for them.

21. Sneeze Myths Abound

There are several myths about sneezing, such as the belief that sneezing stops your heart momentarily.

In reality, while a sneeze may cause a brief change in heart rhythm, it doesn’t actually stop the heart.

These fun and fascinating facts about sneezing illustrate just how unique and complex this everyday reflex is.

Whether caused by light, emotions, or simply a dusty room, sneezing plays an important role in keeping our bodies healthy and free of irritants.

21 Surprising Sneezing Facts You Didn’t Know