Why Do You Sneeze When You Look at the Sun?

Summer lovin’, had me a … ah … achoo!

Sneezing your face off probably wasn’t on your summer vacation bucket list, but for some of people, it’s hard to avoid: They sneeze when they look at the sun. In fact, some people do it every time they see the sun, even in the dead of winter. Most sneeze several times in a row before it stops.

There are many names for this phenomenon, like “sun sneezing,” “photic sneeze reflex,” “photoptarmosis” and, no joke, “photosneezia.” But the best name, without a doubt, is “autosomal dominant compelling helio-ophthalmic outburst syndrome.” That’s right: ACHOO syndrome!

Fun names aside, why does sunlight turn some of us into sneeze factories? And is there anything you can do to stop it? We talked to allergist David Lang, MD, to find out.

What is photic sneeze reflex or ACHOO syndrome?

“Sneezing is a naso-expulsive response. The sneeze is to the nose what a cough is to the lung,” Dr. Lang explains. The average sneeze is a response to nasal irritation of some sort, such as an attempt to expel potentially infectious germs. But that’s not what’s happening in ACHOO syndrome.  

What causes it?

“Solar sneezes are an exaggerated response that occurs with exposure to bright light,” Dr. Lang says.

It all starts with crossed wires involving your trigeminal nerve, a facial nerve that go to your eye and nose. When a bright light hits your eyes, your pupils constrict … and ACHOO!

This reflex usually happens on initial exposure to the sun or a very bright light. It’s most common when moving from a dark to a light environment, like when you drive out of a tunnel or walk from a dark room to a sunny patio. Some people even react to flash photography.

ACHOO syndrome is genetic, but researchers haven’t yet pinpointed the genetic variation responsible. We’re also not sure if it’s possible to acquire the condition.

How rare is photic sneeze reflex?

Sneezing at the sun sounds like a pretty odd thing to do, so you might be surprised to hear that ACHOO syndrome is fairly common. Exactly how common is still up for debate.

There aren’t a lot of studies on the photic sneeze reflex — and the studies that do exist tend to have very small sample sizes. But, taken together, those studies suggest that somewhere between 15% and 30% of us are solar sneezers. ACHOO syndrome is a dominant trait, which means you have a 50% chance of inheriting the photic sneeze reflex if one of your biological parents has it.

According to a 1995 study on photic sneezing, the condition is more common in people who are white, especially women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). Having a deviated septum may also have something to do with it.

It’s worth noting that how severe a photic sneeze reflex is can vary from person to person. Some people sneeze uncontrollably (and multiple times in a row) with sun exposure, even in the dead of winter! For other people with the reflex, sun sneezes only happen occasionally. As a result, it’s quite possible to inherit the ACHOO syndrome and never realize you have it.

Are there any risks associated with photic sneeze reflexes?

While it can sometimes feel like you’re about to expel your brain through your nostrils, the act of sneezing itself isn’t dangerous. What is dangerous: Sneezing uncontrollably in high-risk situations. If you have a sneezing fit while driving or operating heavy machinery, your chances of an accident go way up.

It’s also common for people with a photic sneeze reflex to sneeze in response to a bright light shining in their face … which could happen during dental or eye procedures. Some photic sneezers also react to certain kinds of anesthesia, like propofol.

A photic sneeze reflex can also be triggered by having your eye injected with anesthetic for surgery. The injection — like sudden exposure to sunlight — stimulates your trigeminal nerve. We probably don’t need to explain why that could turn out badly. 

Is there any way to prevent sneezing from sunlight?

At this point, you’re probably wondering what (if anything) can be done about ACHOO syndrome. There’s no specific treatment for solar sneezing, but Dr. Lang says there are three different things that may be worth trying:

1. Some people have success wearing dark sunglasses, hats or other accessories that make sudden exposure to sunlight less dramatic.
2. Treating rhinitis in sneezers with hay fever sometimes reduces the tendency to sneeze.
3. Use the “transverse philtral pressure technique.” It sounds fancy, but all you do is apply pressure to the area between your nose and your lips. If you’re doing it right, it should look like you’re giving yourself a mustache with your finger.

Another way to reduce the risk: Let your provider know you have ACHOO syndrome whenever you’re going under the knife — or under the light. It’s especially important to tell your ophthalmologist, optometrist and dentist, too, because bright lights are critical to exams and procedures.

And if you’re having surgery that requires anesthesia of any kind, let your surgeon, anesthesiologist and nurses know you have ACHOO syndrome, just like you would tell them about allergies to medications. It may not matter for the procedure you’re having, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.  

On the sunny side

If you sneeze uncontrollably when you see the sun or a bright light shines in your eyes, you probably have a photic sneeze reflex, or ACHOO syndrome.

While it can be frustrating (and risky in certain situations) a photic sneeze reflex isn’t something to get concerned about. It’s actually quite common. And it’s the perfect excuse to buy a pair of fancy shades!