Sneezing is a natural response of our body in an attempt to remove irritants from the nose. Sneezing with a cold or allergies is common, although some people display unusual sensitivity to bizarre stimuli such as water, human touch, and sweat. Some people sneeze when they look at the Sun in a condition known as ACHOO syndrome.
What is ACHOO Syndrome?
ACHOO (autosomal dominant compelling helio-ophthalmic outburst) syndrome is characterized by successive sneezing after exposure to bright light. Also known as the photic sneeze reflex, it was first described in the 1950s when a French doctor discovered that some of his patients sneezed in response to the light of his ophthalmoscope.
Upon further investigation, it was found that it was not just any light that caused sneezing but sudden flashes. These patients sneezed when quickly exposed to sunlight, flash photography, and ultraviolet light. While sneezing aims to clear the nose of unwanted irritants or germs, bright light produces neither.
A person with this condition typically feels an itchy, tingling sensation in their nose or face, like they need to sneeze. Only some people sneeze, while others only feel the need to sneeze. Sometimes, the reflex is intense and forceful and may cause repeated and unwanted sneezing.
About 11% to 35% of the population are affected by photic sneeze reflex, yet it is not well studied. According to the study "The photic sneeze response: a descriptive report of a clinic population," the majority of people who experience ACHOO syndrome are white, especially women.
The severity of the photic sneeze reflex can vary from person to person. Some can sneeze uncontrollably and multiple times in a row with sun exposure, even during winter. For other people, it only happens occasionally. Because of this, it is possible that a person will not realize that they have ACHOO syndrome.
Sneezing itself is not dangerous, but sneezing uncontrollably poses high risks. This condition can be dangerous in some situations, such as when operating a vehicle. Sudden exposure to bright light can trigger successive sneezing, affecting a person's ability to maintain control of the vehicle.
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What Causes ACHOO Syndrome?
ACHOO syndrome is a dominant trait, which means that a person has a 50% chance of inheriting this condition if one of their biological parents has it. However, the gene responsible for photic sneezing has not yet been identified.
Experts also noted that the reflex is not triggered by light itself but by changes in light intensity. Although the sneezing reflex is inherited, some researchers also believe this condition can be acquired.
The actual cause of ACHOO syndrome remains unknown. One theory suggests that sneezing involves the optic nerve. A change in light intensity could stimulate this nerve and create the same sensation as having a nose irritant. Another theory is that exposure to light causes eye tears, which empty into the nose briefly. This could also be the cause of temporary irritation in the nose and sneezing.
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