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The dirt on sneezing
First of all, understand that sneezing is not necessarily a bad thing, said Dr. Fatima Mohiudvin, an allergist at Brookside Medical Group in Rockford.
“The nose is a filter, and sneezing is a protective response trying to help you against something,” she said.
What causes sneezing? Generally, irritation in the passages of the nose. Allergens such as pollens and dust mites, strong odors, sudden chills, bright lights and a cold also are causes.
If sneezing is caused by allergies, you might sneeze 10 to 20 times nearly in a row, your eyes can water, and your nose and throat will itch. If you have those symptoms, call an allergist, she said. Antihistamines often treat allergic sneezing.
Some might think sneezing is a little thing, but it’s not, Mohiudvin said. “It uses facial muscles, chest muscles, muscles that control the throat and the muscles that control the voice box. It’s a big deal for a little nothing,” she said.