Sun sneezing
By Cahaya
@cahaya1983 (11116)
Malaysia
December 7, 2017 2:57am CST
I was just randomly wondering today if there are unusual factors that make people sneeze. You know, reasons other than having a cold, or because of dust, etc.
And it turned out that there is a condition where people sneeze when they're exposed to the sun or bright light. The proper name is actually "photic sneeze reflex" or ACHOO syndrome. I'm not kidding!
ACHOO = autosomal dominant compelling helio-ophthalmic outburst (of sneezing, of course).
Clever, right?
So basically, the sneezing fits are not caused by nasal irritation, but rather induced by the light.
Ever sneezed because of random things? What makes YOU sneeze?
Achoo!
If you find yourself sneezing when you come from the dark into the light, you’re not alone. Jason G Goldman investigates why this sudden syndrome strikes.
19 people like this
23 responses
@sishy7 (27167)
• Australia
7 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 I don't know anyone else but him who is like that... 
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
Oh really? I didn't know cleaning your ears with cotton buds can make you sneeze too!
3 people like this
@ilocosboy (45156)
• Philippines
7 Dec 17
Oh that I learned now. I think I sneeze when colds
3 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
Me too. You're not allergic to anything else?
3 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
I never knew about this condition so it might have happened to me too but I just didn't realize it.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
9 Dec 17
Oh yes you should! Not fun having a sneezing fit during your winter vacation I'm sure.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
13 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 It happens at home, too. Can't win. Lol!
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
7 Dec 17
hmmm, i have never heard about this, but one very good remedy if you feel you want to sneeze but the sneeze does not come out, is you look at the sun, head up high, and then you are stimulated to sneeze
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
So it has to do with the fact that the light can be a stimuli, then. Interesting! I'll keep that in mind the next time I have trouble sneezing.
2 people like this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
8 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 yes and i think it is better than inserting a pointed object, like a rolled corner of a handkerchief, or the tip of a match stick, to stimulate oneself to sneeze.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
Yeah dust always makes me sneeze too. Not fun! 
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
7 Dec 17
I am not sure if exposure to light could be a cause of our sneezing. I sometimes sneeze even when sitting in room, which happens due to some allergens.
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
7 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 There may be more than one reasons or say many reasons which cause us to sneeze. Sneezing is a defence mechanism also.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
@dpk262006 For sure. This is one factor, but not the only factor.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
Well apparently it could. I didn't know there's even such a thing until I read the explanation. There's a more detailed explanation about the condition if you search on academic journal websites.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
13 Dec 17
That's true. I don't think it affects me that much, but if it does I guess I'm probably used to it by now because it's sunny here most days.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
12 Dec 17
Interesting! I think I sneeze when my body wants to get rid of something in a hurry.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
13 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 You bet! Never try to stifle a sneeze. It can be pretty dangerous.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
13 Dec 17
Right, I think that's a common cause for most people. It can be a huge relief though.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79397)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 Dec 17
If I have a cold I sneeze quite a lot but other times I just start sneezing in the morning and cannot seem to stop until I am all sneezed out. I don't know why that happens some mornings.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
Oh I sneeze more often in the morning too. I don't know if it's because of the cold air or what, exactly. Then the sneezing just stops.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
@RasmaSandra I'm glad you're okay! I hope I won't cause everyone who reads this to have a sneezing fit!
I'm glad you're okay! I hope I won't cause everyone who reads this to have a sneezing fit! 2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Dec 17
I only found out about it recently too! I sneeze at random times so I've never really paid attention to what the cause is, it could be the sun but I just didn't realize it.
I sneeze at random times so I've never really paid attention to what the cause is, it could be the sun but I just didn't realize it.1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171928)
• Agra, India
7 Dec 17
This is a great post. Thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
Thanks! Are you a medical doctor? I'm curious if you have patients coming to you because of this condition.
2 people like this
@amitkokiladitya (171928)
• Agra, India
7 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 no dear....I'm a dentist.
1 person likes this
@peachpurple (13963)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
8 had been sneezing the whole day after I opened a new shoe box that was delivered today
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
Hmm I'm guessing some tiny particles from inside the box irritated your nose.
1 person likes this
@peachpurple (13963)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 yes, must be the dust or germs, whatever from the shoe box
2 people like this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
8 Dec 17
When I was younger, I would need to sneeze but I couldn't sometimes. I would always look into a light and this would help.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
8 Dec 17
I think I'm going to try the same thing the next time I can't sneeze. Oh but I guess that would only work during the day when the sun is still up.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Dec 17
@misunderstood_zombie Yeah I think it's any sort of bright light, so indoor lights should work too.
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
9 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 It also works on inside lights.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
Yes generally that's the reason people sneeze, but based on the article apparently sneezing can also be due to other stimuli besides nasal irritation.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
Yes that's a common reason. But allergy is also due to so many things.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
I'm pretty sure that happened to me too.1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
Really? Now that's funny because in our culture we say that if you suddenly cough then it means someone's mentioning your name!
Now that's funny because in our culture we say that if you suddenly cough then it means someone's mentioning your name!1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
7 Dec 17
Wow, that's a new one on me. LAst sneeze I had was because of a particularly annoying perfume sample
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
Oh yes some perfume smells are a bit too strong. They irritate my throat too!
2 people like this
@catsholiday (460)
• Derby, England
7 Dec 17
I sneeze when I go into bright sunlight or if I spray a strong scent on . Dust also makes me sneeze. In fact any excuse my nose seems to take the opportunity to sneeze!!
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
7 Dec 17
Super annoying that even the slightest thing irritates the nose, isn't it? I think haven't really paid attention to sneezing when I go into bright sunlight because I'm exposed to the sun almost every single day here. 
1 person likes this
