Why does a bright light make me sneeze?

[Impret-Sir]

I have found that if I get that feeling that I am going to sneeze anytime soon, if I look into a bright light, like a light bulb, it makes me sneeze straight away, anyone know why?

[l_h_kings]

Hi Imppy,

A school friend of mine used to say to look at the sun to make yourself sneeze fatser. I found it worked, but I think now that it is looking up and tilting you head back that encourages the sneeze.

[clarabel82]

I'm sure someone told me it's your body's way of getting you to close your eyes when you are looking at a bright light, to prevent you damaging them.

[spainlads]

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 photic sneeze reflex (PSR) or the ACHOO (autosomal dominant compulsive helio-ophthalmic outbursts of sneezing) syndrome. Its genetic nature has been known for at least the last 25 years; it is periodically discussed in the medical literature and lay press. 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.

[karma20uk]

Finally! Ive just grown up thinking this is ''normal''! hardly life threatening, but interesting. If i look at a light bulb i sneaze. anything light. look:

*looks up at the bulb*

wait for it... Bless me!

[amarillis]

This happens to me when I look at the sun! I tried telling my friend about it once and he just laughed and didn't have a clue what I was on about. Nice to know I'm not that weird!

[Impret-Sir]

Ahhhh, and I thought everybody did it!

[smudge]

I only have to look at a light bulb, street lamp or the sun to sneeze! I love sneezing!