Ciekawostka: Between 25% and 33% of the population sneeze when exposed to light

Evidence: 45 • authority: 88

Sneezing in response to naturalistic bright light exposure. Background The photic sneeze reflex (PSR) is a common but underexplored phenomenon where bright light triggers sneezing, affecting ~30% of the population. This study aimed to characterise the light conditions inducing PSR. Methods One male PSR-affected participant logged sneezing events during a 30-day real-world light exposure study. An indoor setup using a multi-primary LED source and an integrating sphere delivered 30-second light stimuli while pupillometric data were collected. Results A total of 82 sneezing events were recorded, averaging 2.73 sneezes/day (range: 1–6 per event). Illuminance increased tenfold before sneezing, p…

Evidence: 45 • authority: 88

Sneezing in response to naturalistic bright light exposure. Background The photic sneeze reflex (PSR) is a common but underexplored phenomenon where bright light triggers sneezing, affecting ~30% of the population. This study aimed to characterise the light conditions inducing PSR. Methods One male PSR-affected participant logged sneezing events during a 30-day real-world light exposure study. An indoor setup using a multi-primary LED source and an integrating sphere delivered 30-second light stimuli while pupillometric data were collected. Results A total of 82 sneezing events were recorded, averaging 2.73 sneezes/day (range: 1–6 per event). Illuminance increased tenfold before sneezing, p…

Evidence: 33 • authority: 80

Curious Kids: why does the sun’s bright light make me sneeze?

Evidence: 33 • authority: 72

Sunlight is the portion of the electromagnetic radiation which is emitted by the Sun (i.e. solar radiation) and received by the Earth, in particular the visible light perceptible to the human eye as well as invisible infrared (typically perceived by humans as warmth) and ultraviolet (which can have physiological effects such as sunburn) lights. However, according to the American Meteorological Society, there are "conflicting conventions as to whether all three [...] are referred to as light, or whether that term should only be applied to the visible portion of the spectrum". Upon reaching the Earth, sunlight is scattered and filtered through the Earth's atmosphere as daylight when the Sun i…

Evidence: 33 • authority: 72

A sneeze (also known as sternutation) is a semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air from the lungs through the nose and mouth, usually caused by foreign particles irritating the nasal mucosa. A sneeze expels air forcibly from the mouth and nose in an explosive, spasmodic involuntary action. This action allows for mucus to escape through the nasal cavity and saliva to escape from the oral cavity. Sneezing is possibly linked to sudden exposure to bright light (known as photic sneeze reflex), sudden change (drop) in temperature, breeze of cold air, a particularly full stomach, exposure to allergens, or viral infection. Because sneezes can spread disease through infectious aerosol droplets,…

Evidence: 33 • authority: 72

The photic sneeze reflex (also known as ACHOO syndrome, a contrived acronym for Autosomal-dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst) is an inherited and congenital autosomal dominant reflex condition that causes sneezing in response to numerous stimuli, such as looking at bright lights or periocular (surrounding the eyeball) injection. The condition affects 18 to 35% of the world's population, but its exact mechanism of action is not well understood.

Evidence: — • authority: 35