Do you sneeze if you look at the sun? (or other bright source)

[jEct2]

How is this explained scientifically? How does brightness trigger your body to convulse and sneeze?

[edit]
also when indoors, if im about to sneeze and couldnt' get it out, looking at light bulbs usually help.. I don't know why.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Yes. Only when first walking out the door though.

 

[Insomniak]

I have never had it happen, but then I usually do not make a habit of staring at the sun.

 

[imported_digitalelegance]

Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy
Yes. Only when first walking out the door though.

 

[jEct2]

Originally posted by: Insomniak
I have never had it happen, but then I usually do not make a habit of staring at the sun.

you don't look at the sun directly. Just close enough to sneeze it out. No harm done to your eyes whatsoever.

 

[SilentZero]

Never

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: Insomniak
I have never had it happen, but then I usually do not make a habit of staring at the sun.

 

[Insomniak]

I have not had this situation occur, regardless of the focus of my binocular vision upon or close to the star our world orbits.

 

[Engineer]

Yes. Can also do it on demand (look at light when I need to sneeze).

 

[lokiju]

All the time every day it happens to me.

I've only meet one other person that it happens to and have no clue why it does happen.

Sucks to 'cause I'll sneeze 3 times in a row every time I go from being inside to the outside in the sun.

 

[mesonw]

Yeah, does me. Works with room lights too if I feel a sneeze on its way.

 

[jEct2]

Originally posted by: Engineer
Yes. Can also do it on demand (look at light when I need to sneeze).

hahah That's me! I can initiate a sneeze simply by looking at a light.

 

[SVT Cobra]

i always sneeze right after i get comfortable enough to go to sleep

anyone else?

 

[Mrvile]

Yep, every time I feel a sneeze comin up I just look at some bright light and BAM cream my jeans. Works every time.

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b
i always sneeze right after i et comfortable enough to go to sleep

anyone else?

No.

 

[QuitBanningMe]

no

 

[Kalvin00]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
Yep, every time I feel a sneeze comin up I just look at some bright light and BAM cream my jeans. Works every time.

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:
:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

breath

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

[brigden]

I can do it on command - it's sunlight tickling your nosehairs, isn't it?

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b
i always sneeze right after i et comfortable enough to go to sleep

anyone else?

Can't say that I do.

 

[Chadder007]

Almost always

 

[riddleam]

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=15801

 

[SagaLore]

Wow... it's been a long time since that happened to me - but yes, when I was younger I sneezed all the time by looking at light.

Hmm... actually, maybe that is why I have been sneezing so much lately. Usually when I'm first driving.

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: Engineer
Yes. Can also do it on demand (look at light when I need to sneeze).

Too funny. I'm the same way. When I feel an impending sneeze starting to fade, I frantically search for the brightest light source in my vicinity. Works like a charm.

 

[RossMAN]

Not that I'm aware of, I usually try to avoid looking directly at the sun.

Then again I live in Oregon and that's pretty rare

 

[konichiwa]

straightdope

"Photic sneeze reflex" is the medical term for what you've got...Photic sneeze reflex occurs in something like one-sixth to one-quarter of the population. It occurs more often in Caucasians than Afro-Americans or Orientals.

According to a Johns Hopkins medic named Stephen Peroutka, the trait is passed along genetically, with a 50 percent chance of inheritance.