why does the sun help you sneeze if you look at it?
475713
It doesn't do that with everyone....\n\nbut in most people the nerve from the eye (Optic nerve) runs just next to the nerve for the nose(Olfactory nerve).\n\nSo a powerful light stimulate the optic nerve, which stimulates the Olfactory nerve (from proximity) - the result is a feeling that you need to sneeze.\n\n\n-- edit --\nWhoops.. not the olfactory nerve- that conveys odors...\n\nHere is a snip from a web page addressing this issue:\n\nQ. Why Does Sunlight Cause Sneezing?\nFrom Apply Now, Your Guide to Vision.\n\nUp to 25% of us can't escape it. We walk out of a dark movie theater into the bright sunlight, and then it happens: "Ah choo!" This sneeze reflex is a genuine phenomenon. So what causes it? \n\nA. Close association between the eye’s optic nerve and nerves causing the sneeze reflex may explain why an estimated 5-25% of people sneeze with sudden exposure to bright sunlight or other light sources.\n\nSudden bright stimulation of the eye that occurs after a person has become adapted to darker surroundings is thought to bring on the condition, known as photic sneeze reflex. The reflex also is called Autosomal Dominant Compelling Helioophthalmic Outburst Syndrome, known by the acronym ACHOO. (Not making this up. Really.)
72870
Sounds to me like you've got a condition called photic sneeze reflex.
722090
When you sneeze every muscle in your body tightens, The muscle in your eye might be more sensitive to the sudden spasm
18663
You're simply blocking the air that would come out during the sneeze, not actually preventing the sneeze. You can accomplish the same thing by closing and tightening your mouth.
1003908
my nose, when I sneeze
406470
Wow. I don't believe someone asked this.\nMy ex-husband had this problem everytime he went outside.\nIt was years before a doctor didn't look at him like he was nuts and gave him a real answer.\n\nApparently there is a nerve that runs across the bridge of the nose.  In most people it is located such that there is no problem.  In other people the nerve is only millimeters in a different location.\n\nWhen he went out into the sun the squinting of his eyes due to the sudden increase in light irritated that nerve and caused a sneeze reaction.\n\nHope that helps.  My ex is still nuts, but that's another story! lol
149715
It is almost impossible for a person to keep their eyelids open during a sneeze, although some rare individuals report having little if any trouble doing so.\n\nThe sneeze center makes all these muscles work in just the right order, to send that irritating particle out of your nose -- at speeds up to 100 mph
468529
no its not possible to sneeze without closing ur eyes coz its a reflex action that happenes
46066
When sinus around your nose is releasing too much liquid to your nose, and block your air passage, the sneeze mechanism in your brain tells you to sneeze.
155783
My brother sneezes every time he walks into the sunlight. It's called "Autosomal dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic". \n\nHere's some info on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photic_sneeze_reflex
333376
Closing your eyes is a natural reaction for several reasons: strong wind blasts and, of course, sneezing. It's mainly to keep your eyes protected from the resulting dust and mist. Your eyes will not pop out of your head, your actual sockets would hold them in! This is a myth. I don't know how it got started, but it's not true.
1049826
It is a superstition.  People used to believe that the devil could enter you when you sneezed.  God Bless You was a way for others to try to help prevent that.
332206
Some people think it does. but really, the simple fact of looking up is opening your nasal cavities, making it easier for your body to complete the sneeze. It seems logical for people to try to make the connection between sneezing and looking at light... The sun and light are just making you squint when you look at it.
768201
Generally, the eyes close to shield them from flying debris, as in that jettisoned from your nostrils.  If you want to be blinded by a booger, fine -- I'll close my blinkers until the sneezin' is done.
913830
its possible that when you sneeze, your eyes close reflexively, to prevent your eyes from getting contaminated by whatever is coming out of your nose and mouth.  As well, the urge to sneeze (that tingling feeling in your nose) may play a part, due to the optic nerves for your eyes laying close to the nerves for your nose and recieveing some residual signal...
758125
A sternutation or, more commonly known, sneeze is a semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air from the nose and mouth. This air can reach speeds of 70 m/s (250 km/h) and an unimpeded sneeze sends two to five thousand bacteria-filled droplets into the air\n\nThis was also interesting:\n\nFebruary 2002 - Your brain musters a host of muscles to clear irritants from your nose at speeds up to 100 mph.\n\nEver try to stop a sneeze? Not easy, is it?\n\nSneezing is a reflex. "When your nose itches you sneeze," just as your knee jerks when a doctor taps it, says California allergist William E. Berger, M.D., a member of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. "Closing your eyes when you sneeze is also part of the reflex reaction."\n\nSneezing may seem simple, but it's more involved than you think. Here's how it works: Your nose often warns you a sneeze is coming. An irritant makes your nose start to itch or tickle.\n\nThen the part of your brain termed a "sneeze center" sends a message to designated muscles. "The signal from the brain tells our body to sneeze as a means of clearing out the irritating particles," says Dr. Berger.\n\nThe chest, abdomen, diaphragm, vocal cords, throat and eyelids join in a certain order to launch a sneeze. Presto -- your nose releases the irritant that's causing that itch. A sneeze propels particles from your nose at a speed of up to 100 miles per hour.\n\nSome particles sneak into your nose in a normal breath. A lot more come from colds or allergies. But the cause of your sneeze could also be bright sunshine.\n\nStrange as it sounds, bright light causes one out of three people to sneeze. Some doctors call them "photics," from the Greek meaning "of light." Photic sneezers can blame their parents -- you inherit this trait.\n\nIf your sneeze comes with chest congestion, headache, yellow or green nasal discharge, fever or a stuffy nose, you may want to see a doctor. You could have a cold or allergy.\n\nYou may be tempted to stop a sneeze. Don't.
640985
Sneezing helps u to remove an irritation from your nose.It is more of a response than a voluntary action. Like all other involuntary actions in our body sneezing also involves a lot of muscles. Some of these muscles may be involved in the closing of the eye lids. Being an involuntary action we are unable to keep our eyes open when sneezing. \nHowever we do find yogis who have control on many of their muscles - may be they will be in a better position to keep their eyes open when sneezing.\n\nOn the lighter side - what do you really expect to see when u are sneezing!!!!!