Sneeze When You Go Outside? You Could Have This Genetic Syndrome

That need to sneeze could all be down to your genesI don’t have hay fever, but based on how I react to walking outside on a hot day would convince you I do. For some reason, getting off the train into the sun, opening my door onto a sunny vista, and even leaving a tree’s shadow into a bright spot triggers a huge, eye-watering sneeze – and until now, I had no idea why. But it turns out it might be my genes, per the Cleveland Clinic.It sounds like I’m experiencing a “photic sneeze reflex,” also known as “autosomal dominant compelling helio-ophthalmic outburst syndrome” (ACHOO syndrome – teehee). What is a “photic sneeze reflex” or ACHOO syndrome?An extract from Medical Genetics Summaries says that “Affected individuals report a ‘prickling sensation’ or sneezing in response to a bright light.” It’s elicited by going from a darker area to an area of brighter light (like stepping into sunlight from indoors), or simply having a bright light shown to you. This can be “uncontrollable.” How common is it to sneeze at bright lights?“About one in four individuals who already have a prickling sensation in their nose will sneeze in response to sunlight, but ‘pure’ photic sneezing is far less common,” Medical Genetics Summaries shared.If one parent has the condition, their child has a 50% chance of developing it.But the Cleveland Clinic says we don’t know exactly how many people have the condition. On average, they add, it seems to be about 15-30% of us: white people, especially white women, may be more likely to have the trait. What causes sneezing on exposure to bright lights?It’s a genetic issue, but we don’t know yet which genes are responsible. It happens because of a misfiring in your facial nerve that goes from your eyes to your nose. The constriction of your pupils as your eyes adjust to the light triggers the sneeze. Is sneezing at bright lights dangerous?It can be if you’re operating heavy machinery or driving: “for example, exiting a road tunnel on a bright day.”Pilots might need to be more cautious, too. How can I stop sneezing at bright lights?There’s no cure for ACHOO syndrome, but you can make the journey from darker spots into lighter areas easier on the eyes. Shielding your eyes with a hat or sunglasses might help. And the Cleveland Clinic recommends we “Use the ‘transverse philtral pressure technique,’ which involves applying 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 moustache with your finger,” they said. This may interrupt the sneezing signal.I’m learning so much more about myself than I expected today...Related...The Adorable Reason Your Dog Sneezes While Playing With You14 Unexpected Signs Of Seasonal Allergies That Aren't Sneezes Or SnifflesOh Good ― You Can Absolutely Get Toxic Shock Syndrome From Pads

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