Why does bright light cause some people to sneeze?
Roberta A. Pagon, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington, explains.
"Reflexive sneezing induced by light, and sunlight in particular, is estimated to occur in 18 to 35 percent of the population and is known as ... the ACHOO (autosomal dominant compulsive helio-ophthalmic outbursts of sneezing) syndrome. Its genetic nature has been known for at least the last 25 years. ... Observations that emerging from dim light into sunlight or turning to face directly into the sun commonly triggers the reflex prompted early inquiries into the trait. The number of induced sneezes--which seems to be genetically mediated and can be predicted within a family--is constant from episode to episode and typically numbers two or three."
Although the sun doesn't make me sneeze, when I'm in one of those situations where a sneeze won't come, all I have to do is look at a bright light, and that does it.
How about you?
Roberta A. Pagon, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington, explains.
"Reflexive sneezing induced by light, and sunlight in particular, is estimated to occur in 18 to 35 percent of the population and is known as ... the ACHOO (autosomal dominant compulsive helio-ophthalmic outbursts of sneezing) syndrome. Its genetic nature has been known for at least the last 25 years. ... Observations that emerging from dim light into sunlight or turning to face directly into the sun commonly triggers the reflex prompted early inquiries into the trait. The number of induced sneezes--which seems to be genetically mediated and can be predicted within a family--is constant from episode to episode and typically numbers two or three."
Although the sun doesn't make me sneeze, when I'm in one of those situations where a sneeze won't come, all I have to do is look at a bright light, and that does it.
How about you?
