Why do you sneeze after stepping out of a cool, air-conditioned room into the sunlit outdoors?
In: Biology
I think it’s called solar sneezes. For me, it happens with anything bright. Sun, snow, overcast sky, lights.
And somehow, it’s genetic in nature. Was shocked when my 23&me said I likely sneeze in the sun, which i do!
Photic Sneeze Reflex 🙂 it generally has to do with experiencing a change in light intensity and supposedly 18-35 percent of the population has this.
I read that the intense light stimulates the optic nerve and a nerve it crosses that also goes to your nose called the trigeminal nerve. That cross stimulation triggers the sneezing reaction.
Photic sneeze reflex. When you move from a cool, dim place to bright sunlight, the sudden change in light and temperature can trigger a sneeze. It’s like your body’s way of clearing out the extra air or particles that might have built up
Sudden bright light induces ‘squinting’ to protect the eyes, which are the same facial muscles tied into the sinuses.
The sudden pressure difference can tickle the nose and cause sneezing.
ACHOO syndrome is the name i know because its funny when i sneeze for 1 minute after going outside. Its Autosomal dominal Compelling Helio Opthalmic Outburst syndrome. Its a genetic condition that makes you sneeze due to bright lights.
For me my right eye triggers it like 5x more than my left, so closing it is required if i dont have sunglasses. After about 5-10 minutes it wont cause an issue but until then my sneezes are quite aggressive.
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