Why do people often sneeze when they look at a light?

Answer 1

This happens to me a lot so I looked into it and check this out the reason is : AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT COMPELLING HELIOOPHTHALMIC OUTBURST SYNDROME or Photic Szeeze Reflex, also known as ACHOO syndrome.

Here are a few websites:
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=11491
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/dispomim.cgi?id=100820

Answer 2

I think you'll find that it's the other way round. If you feel a sneeze coming on and just can't manage it, look at the light and you won't have any problems sneezing, I have no idea why it happens, it just does.

Answer 3

They don't. If you feel a sneeze coming on and then look at a light, it seems to make it happen sooner. Why is that?

Answer 4

I've had several conversations about this recently. I think that looking up creates tension in the neck, which then brings on the sneeze. Gently stroking the throat with a finger can do it, too.

Answer 5

I do that--I am told the sneeze nerve runs next to the eye nerve and the sudden stimulation of the eye nerve spills over to the sneeze nerve.

Answer 6

do they?
maybe its because, when they look at a light, they look up, and when they do that, dust particles enter the nose and make you sneeze! :)

Answer 7

That happens to my friend. It's because he's light sensitive. Some people aren't effected but if your eyes are slow to react in the light it causes it when you do that. Wierdo's!!! he he he!

Answer 8

no idea but i see flashes of lights inside my eyelids sometimes when i cough in the dark.

Answer 9

ive ony known people who wanna sneeze look at the light to make them sneeze quicker.x still dunno why tho ?.x

Answer 10

it somehows tickels your sense liek when you snif pepper.