The sun makes me sneeze...

[Eric the Orange]

I know this is totally random, but the sun makes me sneeze. This has been bugging me for awhile now. It usually happens the first time I'm in direct sunlight for a day. I think it's genetic because some people do and others don't.

Anyways, does anyone else have this same problem? What possible evolutionary purpose could this serve?

 

[mireko]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photic_sneeze_reflex
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=looking-at-the-sun-can-trigger-a-sneeze

It's actually pretty common. And weird.

 

[baconsarnie]

Even indoors?
How quickly?
Do you have to be looking into the light?
Direct sunlight onto your face or whole body?
Could just be coincidence


EDIT: having looked briefly at the links above i may have half an answer.
Looking into a bright light (such as first thing in the morning) causes you to squint. Squinting causes your cheeks to rise slightly, changing the shape of your nose slightly. Therein may lie the answer.

 

[Somebloke]

Blowhole trigger reflex while surfacing? :7

 

[Arctarus'sCookie]

What about the moon? Does the moon cause this problem too?

 

[Goofguy]

Read this for some interesting information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photophobia

I too have had the same symptoms you describe. It isn't a frequent thing for me but I came down with some photophobia (the physical kind) when I had a mild case of corneal abrasion. I had overused some contact lenses and they had irritated my eyes to the point where I was sensitive to sunlight. So, any time I went outside, I started sneezing, my sinuses would flare up and my eyes would start tearing up because of the sensitivity due to the abrasion. Could be that something happened to your eyes?

 

[Tiger Sora]

This is quite weird but I think I've heard of it before. And theres no cure I bet.

 

[Wilfy]

Yeah I have that too. Bit annoying really. Not sure about it being genetic though, none of my family do it.

 

[Dags90]

This is quite weird but I think I've heard of it before. And theres no cure I bet.

Cure? It's a minor inconvenience. I knew someone that had the same reflex from a math course, every time we'd leave the building together he'd sneeze unless it was overcast.

Not all things have an evolutionary advantage.

 

[SckizoBoy]

I know this is totally random, but the sun makes me sneeze. This has been bugging me for awhile now. It usually happens the first time I'm in direct sunlight for a day. I think it's genetic because some people do and others don't.

Anyways, does anyone else have this same problem? What possible evolutionary purpose could this serve?

Yeesh, that's random... though I've never encountered that problem.

Instead, for the longest time, I was heliophobic to the extent that I freaked out if sunlight touched my skin. Managed to get over it a while ago now.

Even worse is a friend, her sister and two of her cousins, all of whom have erythropoietic protoporphyria to some extent... not nice.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Its called photo something, cause light does that to me too. Its actually pretty common really.

Though I dont think its an evolutionary advantage. If anything, its a disadvantage, cause if you are running from something to stay alive and sneeze, you'll lose that... what, .25 seconds it takes to sneeze?

 

[jurwell]

I have photosensitivity brought on by having astigmatism. Even lightbulbs or strip lighting can make me sneeze.

 

[Redingold]

I got that too. I find it pretty useful. If I ever get a feeling of wanting to sneeze but being unable to, I just have to look at a bright light.

 

[hypovolemia]

Oh, I have that, too. I also sneeze pretty often when I'm in bed and trying to sleep. Only when I lie on my back, though. Hmmm.

 

[DarthFennec]

I know this is totally random, but the sun makes me sneeze. This has been bugging me for awhile now. It usually happens the first time I'm in direct sunlight for a day. I think it's genetic because some people do and others don't.

Anyways, does anyone else have this same problem? What possible evolutionary purpose could this serve?

Yes, it's genetic. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photic_sneeze_reflex] One of my friends has this, I generally think it's hilarious when he does it

I don't think it serves any evolutionary purpose. The cool thing about evolution is, it doesn't have to be useful, as long as it's not detrimental.

 

[DarthFennec]

I don't personally do this, but I do have a high sensitivity to light. I wear tinted glasses constantly, otherwise it's too bright. People see me and take it the wrong way, though. They think I'm trying to be `cool,' or that I'm a stoner and I'm trying to hide it, or something 9_9

 

[ZodiacMaster101]

That happens to me to, I always thought that happens because the sun makes people's nose twitch which then irritates it and causes them to sneeze.

 

[SckizoBoy]

I don't personally do this, but I do have a high sensitivity to light. I wear tinted glasses constantly, otherwise it's too bright. People see me and take it the wrong way, though. They think I'm trying to be `cool,' or that I'm a stoner and I'm trying to hide it, or something 9_9

The joy of transitions lenses. Mine go dark even if it's overcast, and since I've had this particular pair for a while, it takes quite a long time for the tint to wear off. Perhaps you should invest in a pair... or do you have 20-20 vision?

... though, they are quite expensive ($400), though they do have the full works of lens coating and being designer as well so *shrug*

 

[DanielBrown]

I got it, as well as my mother. It's tiresome, but since it pretty much only happens when I stare directly at the sun it doesn't matter too much.

 

[Ulvai]

I know this is totally random, but the sun makes me sneeze. This has been bugging me for awhile now. It usually happens the first time I'm in direct sunlight for a day. I think it's genetic because some people do and others don't.

Anyways, does anyone else have this same problem? What possible evolutionary purpose could this serve?

No purpose! You, sir, are a mutant. I'll call Prof. Xavier!