MadSci Network: Immunology |
Dear Mr/Ms X,
Sneezing is a defense mechanism of your body. It is a reflex reaction to irritants that come into your nose. These irritants stimulate nerve endings, and information about irritation is sent to your brain. As a result brain commands action to various muscles that ends with sneeze. So anything that irritates inside of your nose, like dust, strong smell or even sunlight causes you to sneeze. When you have cold, irritation is caused by swelling inside the nose. When people have allergies the irritant is histamine that is released from mast cells. So, the definite answer to your question is: Yes, you can sneeze without histamine release.
For more useful, detailed, interesting, or even funny information about
sneezing visit following sites:
http://www.allergy.org.au/month/sneezing.htm
http://www.allergycapital.com.au/Pages/Sneeze.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneeze
http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/sneeze.html
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Immunology.