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For example, in , a Swiss study found greater stimulation of the primary and secondary visual cortex — regions of the brain that processes visual information — of 10 photic sneezers when exposed to various wavelengths of light compared to those who do not have the reflex.
The optic nerve feeds information to the visual cortex. Those nerves exit the eye via the trigeminal nerve. In that study, however, the 13 individuals analyzed were all from the same family. Taking a closer look at photic sneeze reflex could reveal important insights on other diseases. His lab has collected surveys on photic sneeze reflex for years but has lacked funding to analyze the information in depth. He believes a dearth of money is to blame for few exhaustive studies. In most cases, sneezes summoned by sudden changes in light are relatively harmless.
But the triple threat of bright light-induced temporary blindness, an induced sneeze and subsequent eyelid closure could be threatening under special circumstances. Case studies suggest high-wire acrobats , baseball outfielders and combat pilots may be adversely impacted. From personal experience, I can attest that sneezing after driving out of a dark tunnel at 60 miles an hour can be — at least temporarily — frightening.
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What do you think? Leave a respectful comment. By — Julia Griffin Julia Griffin. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter.
Why looking at the sun can make you sneeze Science Mar 20, 2: Ask your parents about ACHOO Photic sneeze reflex is a relatively harmless disorder that causes people to sneeze in bright light after being in a dark space. Additional Support Provided By: It does not have to be sunlight. I have even been able to catch myself and slow the process down but my eyes still water quickly. I hope they will research this it would be nice to know what else is linked to this condition. This is so weird and would explain why when i get up to open the curtains in my living room particulary on a sunny day, im blinded for a seccond and before i get chance to move from the window i sucumb to a sneeze, or more until i move from the window.
Over 50 years lifetime sun sneezer. I can also induce a sneeze by looking at a bright source of artificial light while indoors. I always sneeze when I look at the sun ,maybe 2 to 3 times ,my brother too and now his son also,we all have blue eyes,and wondered if this could be the reason,I also think this could just be a natural defence system from your body,because what do you do when you sneeze? My bird is actually the one who is the sun sneezer!
Oddly enough, he is a sun conure who we always giggled about being allergic to the sun, because when a sun bean hits him he sneezes! Someone just pointed out to me that it was a human thing too. This happened to me occasionally when I was younger.
I think now I usually close my eyes as soon as the sun hits me so that they adjust slowly. I also do the one eye open technique until it adjusts then open the other. My eyes are brown. Maybe, like other parts of the body, sneezing makes the pupils contract faster. I am also a photic sneezer. If I have a sneeze stuck I can look into a bright light, like a lamp with a 60 watt bulb in it and make myself sneeze and that takes care of it.
Up until recently I also thought it was something everyone could do.
I am a sun sneezer. I work around welders all day long inside a plant. But let me step outside and here it comes!! Usually comes in threes. My son and I are sun sneezers. I let him know that we have the special ability to make ourselves sneeze when we want and most other people cannot do it.
Are there any benefits to the photic sneeze reflex—anything at all? September 14, at If I have a sneeze stuck I can look into a bright light, like a lamp with a 60 watt bulb in it and make myself sneeze and that takes care of it. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter. I let him know that we have the special ability to make ourselves sneeze when we want and most other people cannot do it.
A couple of us would tell them to go into the sun and look up. Solutions http: I think I have always been a sun sneezer but never really thought anything about it. Now I find out that only a certain percentage of people are affected by this condition that I thought every one had. My husband is not. At age 62, I can remember being a sun sneezer my entire life. No big deal…never has been.
I usually only sneeze when emerging from a dark place into the sunlight, and then not every time.
I guess it makes her feel that she appears to be clairvoyant. Makes me feel special: Best wishes to all my fellow sneezers out there!! Strange but feeling better knowing there are more like me out there haha! I thought for the longest time that everyone could experience this. Not that it comes up that often, but I have only met a few other confirmed sun sneezers. I am sixteen almost seventeen and I was actually kinda scared I had a problem. But I am no matter what sneezing if I look up on a sunny day.
I sneeze a lot anyway and the sun always sets me off! I am very photosensitive too — need to wear sunglasses on any sunny day. I had hayfever severely as a child but it subsided by my early 20s. It is only now at 66 I realise I am odd to sneeze so frequently,repeatedly and loudly in the sun!
I never knew there was a clinical term for sun sneezing, thus I googled it. I sneeze when I go outside. Would love to find out more. To know studying DNA and family history sounds intriguing. I never asked my family about this. I would always get a very weird look before the person tried it, but their sneeze would never come out.
Now, I catch myself from telling people to look in the bright light to bring out the sneeze, because it is not normal. I love that I can just look into the bright light sun or light bulb , I never get a stuck sneeze. Your email address will not be published. Why do some people sneeze when they look at the sun? Filed To anatomy biology Ever Wondered? Share Facebook Twitter Email. Ferris Jabr and Michael Easter.
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