If you feel the urge to sneeze while looking at bright light, you could have ACHOO syndrome. Rooted in genetics, it’s a condition where bright light triggers an involuntary sneezing response. Most people who have it see it as a quirk, rather than something that’s debilitating. Though it may not cause serious trouble, ACHOO syndrome affects 25% of people worldwide. Tracing it through families has helped scientists understand its genetic pattern and pinpoint the underlying condition. Some studies hint that visual over-stimulation may trigger a cascade of reactions, finally inducing a sneeze. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis say light activates the optical nerves, while accidentally activating the sneezing center in the brain. There are many unanswered questions about ACHOO syndrome, so researchers continue to probe its origin.
