The Huffington Post

If Sudden Sunlight Makes You Sneeze, You May Have This Syndrome

I’ve begun to refer to a junction near my home as “sneeze corner”. While the pavement outside my flat is shady, the path perpendicular to it is almost always sunny – inevitably, passing from one to the other makes my eyes water and my nose twitch. I usually sneeze about three times afterwards. It turns out I am not alone, and that I likely have a condition with a (surprisingly cute) name: ACHOO syndrome. What is ACHOO syndrome? The name, which stands for Autosomal Dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst, refers to “uncontrollable sneezing in response to the sudden exposure to bright light, typically intense sunlight”, the clinician resource book Medical Genetics Summaries (MGS) explained. It’s also known as photic sneezing. The Cleveland Clinic said it could happen due to all kinds of sudden bright light, though it’s more common in sunlight. Those with the condition find that when they go from dark (or shade) into bright light quickly, they can’t help but sneeze. What are the symptoms of ACHOO syndrome? The main symptom is sneezing, or wanting to sneeze, when met with sudden light. It’s not the light itself, but the change in intensity from dimmer light to a brighter kind, that appears to trigger the response. It might also manifest as a “prickling feeling” in your nose. In fact, MGS said, about 25% of people who already feel that prickling go on to sneeze in sunlight. But ”‘pure’ photic sneezing is far less common,” they added. Dr Tan Zhibin, an associate consultant at the Department of Neurology at the National Neuroscience Institute, said in some cases , it can lead to over 40 back-to-back sneezes at a time. Why does ACHOO syndrome happen? Researchers aren’t really sure. Genes seem to have something to do with it: if one of your parents has ACHOO syndrome, you have a 50-50 chance of getting it too. Still, not only has the genetic basis of ACHOO syndrome remained “unknown” to scientists, but the mechanisms behind photic sneezing is a bit of a mystery, too. Some think it has to do with “over-excitability of the visual cortex in response to light, leading to a stronger activation of the secondary somatosensory areas”. That means bright light might make the part of the brain that processes sight react a little too strongly, affecting other parts of our mind that deal with physical touch and sensory processing. Another theory is that there might be a crossed wire between the part of your brain that senses irritants and tells you to sneeze, and the section that tells your eyes’ pupils to constrict in bright light. How common is ACHOO syndrome? Again, we’re not sure – but The Cleveland Clinic puts it at anywhere from 18-35% of the population. Research shows that it may be more common in people who are: white, especially women, affected by a deviated septum. Is ACHOO syndrome dangerous? Not in and of itself. But, like anything that temporarily distracts you, it might have knock-on effects. One case study documented a 26-year-old whose sudden sneezing was linked to three motor vehicle accidents while he was driving a scooter. It might also put you at risk if you’re having dental surgery and a dentist shines a bright lamp onto your face. And eye tests can prove tricky, too. Experts think ACHOO syndrome might also pose risks for high-wire acrobats, some athletes (like baseball players), pilots, and drivers exiting tunnels into bright daylight. Speaking to the Cleveland Clinic , allergist Dr Dylan Timberlake said: “You certainly wouldn’t want [photic sneezing] to happen when you’re behind the wheel or operating heavy machinery.” He added it’s probably worth bringing it up with your healthcare providers before they do any procedures, just in case. This may be especially true if you’re about to undergo eye surgery. Eye injections used to administer anaesthesia to the area might elicit sneezes in people with the syndrome, too, Healthline said. How can I lower my risk of sneezing in sunlight? Shielding your eyes from the sun before leaving a dark area and wearing sunglasses or a hat that provides shade might help . Healthline explained that taking antihistamines might also reduce your risk of photic sneezing if you have seasonal allergies. But right now, there are no medications or surgeries to target ACHOO syndrome specifically. Related... Pilot Explains Why Window Blinds Stay Open During Take Off WTF Do Kids Mean When They Say 'Call Your Uber'? What does it mean if you get winded walking up the stairs?

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