ACHOO Syndrome

Have you ever gotten a cold or the flu after staring at the Sun or another bright light? Most of you probably replied "Sure," with the remaining two-thirds having no idea what we're on about. This is brought on by the photic sneeze reflex, also known as the ACHOO Syndrome or autosomal dominant compulsive helio-ophthalmic outburst. You sneeze as a response when you are suddenly exposed to strong lighting. Up to 30% of persons are affected, and the cause is unknown. It might be an inherited genetic condition from your parents, or it might result from a physical issue like a deviated nasal septum.

The greatest minds in history have experienced ACHOO Syndrome. According to Aristotle, the heat from the sun was to blame. Francis Bacon, an English philosopher who lived in the 17th century, disproved him with a straightforward experiment by closing his eyes and walking out into the hot sun. There were no sneezes, but the heat persisted. He sneezed after opening his eyes. He reasoned that perhaps the sunlight had made the eyes water, and the additional moisture had irritated the nose. Today, we know that he was mistaken as well because the effect occurs too quickly for this to occur, but the specific etiology of ACHOO is still unknown.