Why does sunlight make some people sneeze?
This is called “photic” sneezing. It does happen to a lot of people, especially when when coming out of a dark place like a movie theatre and into bright sunlight. It is because you have nerves very close to the eyes and nose, that when they are stimulated or irritated, send a signal up to the brain to cause the sneeze reflex. In some people who have very sensitive nerves there, a bright light will stimulate that sneeze reflex nerve, causing the sneeze. Sensitivity varies so some people will sneeze violently at a not-so-bright light, where others will sneeze in a more reserved manner at a very bright light. It is ususally genetic too, so if you are a photic sneezer, there is probably a good chance that another family memeber is too.
I worked with a gentleman who, everyday upon leaving the office, would sneeze at *least* once while walking in the sunlight from the office to the parking lot. I didn’t believe him at first when he told me about it, but five years later he was still sneezing! Neither he nor I were aware that “it” had a name. Thanks you for your post.
