When I was a kid, I had a friend who thought she was allergic to the sun because every time she stepped outside she sneezed. In fact, she taught me the trick of looking toward the sun (but never directly at it) or into a bright light to bring on a shy sneeze.
If you are not a sun sneezer, you might be surprised to know that this phenomenon has been recognized for over 40 years by the medical community, and they even gave it a scientific sounding name: photic sneezing reflex.
Sun sneezers are in the minority since the reflex only occurs in one out of four people. Studies suggest that it might be a dominant trait we inherit from out parents. It is believed that crossed neural pathways between the eyes and the nose, mouth, and chest cause sun sneezing. Bright light should make the pupils constrict, but for the photic sensitive, it does so much more! Achooo!
So are you a sun sneezer? Let me know in the comments section below.
APC
City Walk
Martick Jewellery
Yup, I'm a sun sneezer. My husband didn't believe me for the longest time!
1I'm a sun sneezer as well - glad to know it's not just in my head!
2I am a sun sneezer...I tried to teach this trick to my friends who didnt believe me either...thx 4 info.
3Is it possible to be an only sometimes sun sneezer? I feel like it doesn't always happen...usually when the light is brightest and I'm facing it directly.
4I definatly am! I get crazy sneezes!!!
5No, but I sneeze once everytime I take cough medicine. I always thought that was kinda weird.
6that's so funny! i thought it was just me
7Me tooooooooooooooo!!!!
8Yes, I do this all the time. Sneezing feels so good!
9Thank God I'm not the only one! I thought I was just a weirdo. When I feel a sneeze coming on all I do is look into a bright light and I sneeze.
10I'm defintely a sun sneezer too! I think it must be genetic too because if I'm with my Dad and one of my brothers we all start sneezing when we walk out into the sun!
11I do it and so does my dad!
12People used to say I was "allergic" to the sun. I am a sun-sneezer as well. I'm glad I'm not alone! Yay me!
13So good to finally hear an explanation for my sun sneezing. My brother does it too.
14OK, this is going to sound crazy but...
When I was a kid, a friend told me that the best way to stop an impending sneeze was to stare into a bright light. I tried it and it worked. So ever since, when I feel a sneeze coming on, I look into a bright light (such as the sun), and it goes away.
Hmmm...
15I am! That's so weird. Thanks for the info!
16nope! but everytime i look away from the pic is looks like it is coming towards me.
17OMG I thought I was the only one this happened to!!!
18wow.
actually this article is the first time i've ever heard of a sun sneeze.
gonna try that.
19well, my mom tought my the way to stop sneezing before it occures, but you can feel it coming - is to masage the bridge of nose or the tip - both work for me all the time.
20I am pretty certain I am NOT a sun sneezer!
I can't ever recall that happening to me.
21I am indeed a sun/bright light sneezer!
22I'm a sun sneezer. It drives me mad sometimes!
23I am a sun sneezer, so is my father and so is my daughter!
24Interesting. To bring on a shy sneeze, I sniff the air. It's weird, but it always works for me.
25wow i never heard of that. that's pretty interesting!
26I am a sun sneezer. Never thought it was weird or anything though. Since I was a little girl on up to today if I feel a sneeze coming on that want come out I look up at the sun or the lights in a room to help me sneeze. Wow they have a name for everything these days. I thought this worked on everyone.
27I love that I have a name for this now!
Okay, randomly, does anyone remember the episode of "Pete and Pete" (on Nickelodeon) where the younger Pete tries to get all of his friends to stay awake with him for 3 days or something? They're all doing fine as long as the sun is out, because they can look up to it and sneeze which helps them shake off the yawns, but the last day, its overcast and Pete, being the last one awake, falls asleep in his backyard?
Yeah, probably just me.
28i'm a light sneezer....any kind of light will cause me to sneeze or help with one thats already coming...
and i'd never try to stop a sneeze...it feels sooo good!
29I am.
30So that's why my friends won't believe me! I tried telling them to look at the sun during a shy sneeze. I only got sharp, confused looks.
31I feel better now that I know. I googled this and found a wikipedia article.
Actually I enjoyed sneezing with the sun. It really feels good.
Me too!! If I feel a sneeze coming on, all I need to do is look at the light - and ah-choo! My husband doesn't believe me so I sent him this link to prove it.
32I ALWAYS sneeze in the sun! i do it just for the fun of it. when i walk outside all i look up, pretending to be looking at a cloud or something... and ACHOO!
33hey i'm 12 years old and when ever i go into the sun i sneeze and then keep on sneezing is it because i don't get enough vitamin A or something totally diffrent. is there a way to cure it
34Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.