What causes people to sneeze when they walk into the sun?
Up to 35% of people have a genetically inherited trait that causes them to sneeze when they walk into the sun. Rather than producing just a single sneeze, the “photic sneeze reflex” often results in a series of sneezes. This paroxysm of sneezing is sometimes known as the “ACHOO syndrome”. One explanation for this occurrence is that a cranial nerve, known as the trigeminal nerve, runs alongside the optic nerve that carries visual information to the brain. “Cross talk” from the optic nerve to the trigeminal nerve appears to set off sneezing. 3. What purpose do goosebumps serve? Goosebumps go by a number of common names, including goose flesh, goose pimples, and chill bumps. The medical term for goose bumps is cutis anserina. Goose bumps are created when tiny muscles at the base of each hair contract and pull the hair erect. The chain of events leading to this skin change is usually triggered by cold, excitement, or fear. In response to cold, goosebumps help animals with fur trap air to c
