Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: chiralSPO on 16/12/2016 21:43:27
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I usually use a Q-tip to clean/dry the inside of my ears after getting out of the shower. I don't put them in particularly deep, or use any substantial force, just a slow sweeping motion around the inner edge of the inside of my ear. However, without fail, every time I finish this I feel that I have an itch in the back of my throat that is immediately satisfied by one quick cough.
Why do I feel the itch, and why does a cough fix it?
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... I usually use a Q-tip to clean/dry the inside of my ears after getting out of the shower ... without fail, every time I finish this I feel that I have an itch in the back of my throat that is immediately satisfied by one quick cough.
That could be analogous to photic sneeze (https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Photic_sneeze_reflex#Overview) & gustatory rhinitis (https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Snatiation): strong simulation of one sense triggers a reflex-action in an apparently unrelated system , ( a crossover in the wiring ? ).
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Interesting... thanks!