Can You Sneeze With Your Eyes Open?
Your eyes are wide open when you yawn, cry, or cough. However, it’s not the same when it comes to sneezing. We always sneeze with our eyes closed. This is making you wonder if you can sneeze with your eyes open, isn’t it? It may sound like you are defying human anatomy by posing such a controversial question.
But it’s common to wonder about the depths of the human body because in the chaotic midst of biology, nothing is impossible. It’s a reflexive thing to close our eyes when we sneeze. In this article, let’s delve deeper and find out if you can keep your eyes open when you sneeze.
Why Do We Sneeze?
Some people’s eyes turn red when they sneeze and others just glue their eyes shut while they sneeze 3 times in a row. According to research, sneezing is an involuntary act of letting out air through our nose and mouth. We have no control over this and it’s usually a reflex reaction to:
- Pollutants
- Strong odors
- Allergens
- Strong spices like pepper, jalapeños, and chili powder
In simple words, if something irritates your nose, you end up sneezing. For instance, if dust, pollen, or even a tickle hits your nose, your body involuntarily reacts by sending distress signals to the brain that an alien element is entering the body, which initiates a chain reaction. That’s when your body forces you to sneeze.
The same research by doctors also confirms that when we sneeze, it expels the disease-causing pathogens and irritants. A little bit of spit, booger, and even a drop of tear come out when we sneeze. Therefore, closing the eye helps shield them from any kind of pathogen or irritant that is expelled while sneezing and prevents any infection buildup.
Sometimes we also sneeze when we pluck hair from any part of our face as some people are allergic to tweezing. But does your heart stop when you sneeze? No. It’s just a myth. The heart does not stop while we sneeze. It just changes its rhythm by slowing it down for a moment.
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The Role Of Eyes When We Sneeze
Can you sneeze with your eyes open? Even if it is purely instinctive or reflexive, our eyes do play a surprisingly critical part when we sneeze. Imagine you are sitting in a library and the dust tickles your nasal bone. Your brain sends a distress signal to expel the irritant out of your body and you get an involuntary sneeze. What exactly are your eyeballs doing when your mouth is saying, “achoo!”? Read along and find out.
Why Do We Close Our Eyes When We Sneeze?
A guy sneezing with eyes open commercial recently went viral because he didn’t want to take his eyes off TV. A friend of mine also tried to do this and called herself “adventurous”. But in reality, the reflexive act of closing our eyes when we sneeze is deeply rooted in biology. The primary reason why we close our eyes when we sneeze is a neurological reflex.
According to research, the mechanism behind sneezing involves a complex exchange between various parts of the nervous system. When an irritant or a pollutant is detected, the brain gets alerted and sends a message to initiate a sneeze reflex.
This process is involuntary, meaning it occurs without our intervention. It’s not our conscious effort to sneeze. As part of this reflex, the brain sends signals that also cause the eyelids to close. This connection highlights the intricate ways our body coordinates responses to protect us.
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Can You Sneeze With Your Eyes Open?
Yes, you can sneeze with your eyes open. However, you need to make a conscious effort to do so. Some doctors don’t suggest this because the particles bursting from your mouth and nose can easily enter your eyes. This can cause facial injury or eye infections.
What Will Happen If You Sneeze With Your Eyes Open?
Can sneezing with your eyes open kill you? No, not at all. But there are a few things that could happen when you sneeze on your period or on random days while keeping your eyes open:
- Irritation: Your eyes could be exposed to particles or irritants expelled during the sneeze. It could potentially cause discomfort or irritation.
- An increase in facial muscles: When you sneeze, it creates a rapid increase in pressure in the head and face. Therefore, keeping your eyes open could lead to a sensation of pressure or discomfort in the eyes.
How long are your eyes closed when you sneeze? Your eyes are close for just a moment. When you sneeze is stopped, your eyes will automatically open. Even if you sneeze a lot while keeping your eyes open, it could only cause facial pain and eye infections. Some people believe that your eyes pop out when you sneeze with your eyes open or that you may face temporary death. But that’s hogwash and nothing extreme happens when you sneeze with your eyes open.
Conclusion
Can you sneeze with your eyes open? Yes, we can but most of us close our eyes when we sneeze because that’s how human biology wants it to be. While it’s an adventurous thing to keep them open once in a while, don’t keep forcing your eyes to do so all the time. This could only create health problems down the lane. Your brain is just trying to protect you by shutting them. So the next time you feel that familiar tickle, remember that closing your eyes is just one of the many ways your body has your back!
