Allergic to the sun?

Do you sneeze when you walk outside and look at the sun? If you answered yes then you are among the 17-25% of the population that does. Since I sneeze in the sun too, I thought I would help spread some knowledge on the subject.

Sneezing in the sun is known as "photic sneeze syndrome" or "photic sneeze reflex" or the "achoo syndrome". According to Wikepedia the sneeze reflex is caused by: "The probable cause is a congenital malfunction in nerve signals in the trigeminal nerve nucleus. The fifth cranial nerve, called the trigeminal nerve, is apparently responsible for sneezes. Research suggests that some people have an association between this nerve and the nerve that transmits visual impulses to the brain. Overstimulation of the optic nerve triggers the trigeminal nerve, and this causes the photic sneeze reflex. Another theory suggests that tears leaking into the nose through the nasolacrimal duct are a cause of the photic sneeze reflex. The speed of the reflex seems to favour the first theory, as it happens much too quickly for tears to be generated and drain into the nose. In addition this sneeze reflex can be brought on by a sudden inhaling of cold air or a strong flavor such as a strong mint gum. This implies an overstimulation of any nerve close to the trigeminal nerve can cause the sneeze reflex."

So if you are a doctor and can decipher that then you are steps ahead of me. Basically there is a nerve that triggers a sneeze when you are exposed to bright light. If you notice that you sneeze in the sun, look at your family tree becasue it is a hereditary trait so some other family members probably do it too.