W
hether you have a cold, are allergic to something or simply stepped out into the bright sunshine, chances are you've sneezed sometime recently. It's time to get the lowdown on what's up with these nose explosions!
Sneezing — also called "sternutation" — is your body's natural, reflexive way of getting rid of something irritating inside your nose. All sorts of things, such as dust, cold air and pepper, can irritate the inside of your nose and trigger a sneeze.
Sometimes you sneeze when you catch a cold or the flu. When germs and viruses make a home inside your nose, they can cause swelling and irritation. Likewise, allergies to animal dander, pet hair or pollen from plants can cause the same sort of reactions within your nose.