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From two sneezes to one — 13 Comments

  1. I usually sneeze twice but sometimes once and rarely 3 times. My sister invariably sneezes exactly 4 times. I’ve counted it, repeatedly, awed at the force and exactitude.

    Just a guess but I suspect it might have to do with our body’s tolerance, in that my sister for instance has a higher tolerance for irritants, so that when a sneeze is finally triggered, she has more irritants to expel than do I.

  2. I usually have 3 in a row. I can not remember a solo sneeze ever. I also have photic sneezes that happen when bright sunlight strikes my eyes at near sunset or at sunrise. Mom was the same and my daughter has the annoying condition too.

  3. Relatedly,
    When I feel a cough coming on, I inhale deeply and cough hard, once. Because this is so odd, people keep thinking I’ve sneezed and say “bless you.”

  4. I have calculated/guessed that we are very close to the same age. I am still sneezing in threes. So, it would not appear to be age, after all. I hope that this provides some comfort or reassurance.

  5. Neo, thanks for bringing up this fascinating topic. I consider myself a semi-professional sternutator, and I’m also a photic sneezer. Parker, do your family’s photic sneezes also come in threes?

    I never sneeze more than twice, it seems (photic or not). If my first one is done with proper follow-through, there’s no followup.

    I’ve even gone so far as to try to help coworkers refine their sternutative technique, with occasional success.

  6. I don’t want to be a downer, but going from 2 sneezes to 1 could be a reflection of your immune response not being as vigorous as it was in your more youthful days.

  7. I’ve always been single-sneezer. Never had allergies until the last few years. However, my cubicle-mate, who has had allergies all her life is a habitual, daily double-sneezer. So the allergy hypothesis is supported by my experience (anecdote v data distinction aside).

  8. I myself am a tri-sneezer. To the point that if I sneeze less that three, people who know me well will go, “Well, where is it”?

  9. What an interesting post.

    Two-sneezer here. I did experience 3 sneezes a little over a year ago. I only remember it because it was the first time I sneezed other than 2 times. If I’ve sneezed once, I don’t remember.

    Also, I cannot sneeze quietly and warn people when I feel the urge approaching.

    Yep. I’m a photic sneezer.

    Finally, I cannot sneeze without shutting my eyes (more of a blink, actually). – no matter how hard I try.

    Thanks. this is one of the greatest non-important posts I’ve ever read and enjoyed so thoroughly.

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