Sneezing when in light?

[WytchDctr]

If im in somewhat darkness.. like movie or low light resterant.. and i come out into daylight.. I sneeze like crazy for a few seconds. Its not allergys like pollen.. if its cloudy it never happens.. but does it everytime I come out into the light??!? Anyone else do this?

[AUTOBOT]

Occasionally

It was explained to me why it happens but I can't explain it back. LOL
Well, it is normal.

[Doc]

"Photic sneeze reflex", "solar sneezing" or "helio-opthalmic outburst syndrome" is the medical term(s) for what you're experiencing and occurs in approximately 15% of the population. It occurs more often in Caucasians than Afro-Americans or Orientals. The trait can be genetically related, with a 40 percent chance of inheritance.

Anyone else in your family experience this?

This phenonmenon basically involves certain cranial nerves (CN, there are 12 total) getting there signals crossed.

Apparently, the sudden, strong beam of sunlight sends a larger than normal signal up optic nerve fibers into the brain more specifically the Thalamus. The trigeminal nerve also connects near that point as well, The trigeminal nerve is the cranial nerve and runs over much of your face and jaws. Presumably, this optic nerve light surge induces a corresponding signal in the trigeminal and possibly the Olfactory CN (nerve for smell), which carries it back down to the nose and you sneeze.

Wearing sunglasses should help!

[WytchDctr]

it does.. thats how i figured out it was the light and not dust from the outside causing it I was just curious.. no one else I know does that..

[endlessmike]

sometimes i sneeze just looking a light bulb when its on, or if i need to sneeze and it wont come out, ill look at the dome light inside my car while im delivering pizzas.