Do You Sneeze in the Sun?
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (106348)
United States
August 7, 2025 9:45am CST
I know it sounds weird, but I sneeze in the sun. The condition is called photic sneeze reflex, which causes a person to sneeze when they encounter sudden exposure to bright light.
I can even sneeze on an overcast day if there is just enough light.
It's apparently an inherited trait too, and seems to be passed down at least 50% of the time. My mom did this too, although I can't recall anyone else in the family who sneezes in the sun.
It's also not very rare, with estimates being somewhere around 18%-35% of people having a sneeze response to bright light.
Do you know someone who sneezes in the sun, or do you?
6 people like this
6 responses
@moffittjc (125419)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Aug
This 100% describes me, and I must sneeze about a dozen times every time I walk out into the bright sunlight. Good to know there is a scientific name for it, and it's just not me that's crazy! haha
2 people like this
@moffittjc (125419)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Aug
@porwest You can make yourself sneeze at will? I wish I could do that. There are times when I have an itch in my nose and I can feel a sneeze trying to work its way out, but just can't quite make it. I hate that feeling of having to sneeze but not being able to.
1 person likes this
@porwest (106348)
• United States
21 Aug
@moffittjc Oh. Yes. I sure can. If there's a tickle in my nose, I have to get rid of it. lol
1 person likes this
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@LindaOHio (198987)
• United States
7 Aug
I don't know of anyone; and I don't sneeze in the sun.
2 people like this
@Beestring (15770)
• Hong Kong
7 Aug
I sneeze in the sun sometimes. I also sneeze when I smell some fragrance from perfume, or even flowers.
2 people like this
