Of the 2,000 Brits questioned by Olbas, one in five (20%) have been left red faced following a particularly explosive sneeze as only 15% of the population would tell someone if they had a runny nose post sneeze. Respectful or rude, you decide!
The research also revealed that over half of Brits (52%) admitting to a loud and proud sneeze but only when in private, as 94% of us admit that we sneeze louder when no one is listening. When it comes to our sneeze style, more than a quarter (28%) admit to sneezing multiple times in succession, and only one in ten (11%) consider their sneeze to be dainty or cute.
Surprisingly we're more likely to have a dainty sneeze in our early thirties (15% vs. 6% of over 40's), with twice as many women as men profiling as a 'dainty sneezer.' Where we are from also impacts how we sneeze, with the Welsh claiming the quietest sneeze in the UK, and those from the East Midlands having the quickest sneezes whilst one in ten (10%) Scots try to stifle a sneeze, throwing up the question….is our sneeze more psychological than physical?
Working with GP and medical expert Dr. Roger Henderson, Olbas Max Strength explores the real reasons behind our sneezes. Dr. Henderson commented "There is no clear medical reason as to why some of us have a certain style of sneezing and others are different but may be down to personal anatomy. The size of someone's lungs and windpipe can have an impact as well as the strength of the muscles around the chest and throat. It may also be a cultural thing - people in Britain tend to say 'achoo' when they sneeze while in Japan for example, people tend to say, 'hakashun', and deaf people tend not to insert any word into a sneeze at all. Your style is your own personal style!"
"No matter what your sneeze style is, sneezing is simply a reflex, and like all reflexes we can do little to stop one happening. When we have a cold or flu-like infection, the lining of our nasal passages becomes irritated and our body then tries to clear this irritation. This chain reaction starts with our lungs suddenly compressing and sending a blast of air upwards, but our throat and mouth shut as a reflex and so the air is forced out of our nose at up to 100 miles an hour. The result is a sneeze."
So what happens when the dreaded does happen and we feel the inevitable achoo coming? When it comes to hygiene, or rather lack of, almost two thirds (60%) will use our hands to catch a sneeze when caught without a tissue, with over a quarter of those (27%) then wiping their hands on clothing - even if they are someone else's!
Brits also exposed their feelings about badly timed sneezes, with over a third (36%) claiming that driving is the worst time to sneeze, with 7% of the population actually having an accident as a result. We also try to avoid sneezing situations when eating (16%), having sex (10%), applying make-up (6%) and in meetings at work (6%).
Nikki Banwell, Brand Manager for Olbas Max Strength comments "As we enter into the cold and flu season, most of us will fall victim to winter sneezes and snuffles. We don't want cold and flu symptoms to stop us from getting on with our everyday life which is why new Olbas Max Strength All-in-One Cold & Flu Capsules that help relieve the main symptoms of cold and flu are perfect to help keep you going and get you through the day, hopefully without any embarrassment as a result of a sneeze!"
Olbas Max Strength provides all-in-one cold and flu relief, containing active ingredients to effectively target the main symptoms of cold and flu.
Achoo! What does your sneeze say about you?
Tagged in Health