Closing eyelids while we sneeze protects our eyes from germs

Ah choo! We all know that sound, especially now that cold and flu season has begun.

Frost Junior High eighth-grader Annelise wondered why people always close their eyes when they sneeze. Try as you might, keeping your eyes open during a sneeze is certainly a challenge. But why? Here's the scoop about sneezing.

Let's start at the beginning. What triggers that explosion of "mucusy" germs from your nose? There are many factors that can irritate your nasal passages and start the chain reaction that ends in a sneeze.

Culprits include pollen (spores from flowers and trees), pepper (contains a chemical called piperine), dust mites, mold spores, flu viruses, animal dander and even sunshine.

Once a sneeze is triggered, it sets off nerve cells, called neurons, which are connected to muscle cells. The neurons tell the muscles in our face, including our eyes, to tense. Our chest and stomach muscles tighten as well, which results in the squashing of millions of tiny air pockets in our lungs and, alas, a sneeze is born.

Warm, moist air bursts forth through microscopic airways at 100 mph, spewing germs that can spread up to five feet.

It may sound like a lot of steps, but it all takes place in an instant.

And when those neurons tell your eye muscles to tighten up, they naturally obey. However, it is possible to force your eyes to stay open. The question: is that a good idea?

Not really, according to medical experts, who say your closed lids protect the eyes from germs and particles that whoosh out from your nose.

• Sources: livescience.com and Sneeze! by Alexandra Siy and Dennis Kunkel

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What can you do?

To prevent your sneezes from getting other people sick, follow these rules:

• Wash your hands after sneezing or blowing your nose.

• Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze.

• Disinfect areas that you touch often, such as door handles, table tops and toys.