Experts over at Sleep Advisor have warned using a fan throughout the night may seem like a good idea at first, but can actually trigger a whole host of health issues
Brits love to complain that it’s too cold, then moan even more when the sun comes out.
As the first mini heatwave of the year sizzles through the UK, with parts of the nation hitting 26C, many of us are spending the weekend basking in the glorious sunshine. And while it’s a huge relief to finally be able to dry our clothes outside and turn the heating off – we’re now in a perpetual struggle to keep the house cool.
Most of us have already brought down the fan from the loft in the hope it’ll cool us down and help us get some much-needed kip. However, running a fan throughout the night can cause a whole host of issues that you might not be aware of.
Experts over at Sleep Advisor warn fans can trigger allergic reactions to pollen and dust – especially if your appliance has been stored in a cupboard all winter and you haven’t cleaned it properly. According to Healthline, this can result in a whole host of unpleasant symptoms including “runny nose, itchy throat, sneezing, watery eyes, or breathing difficulties”.
To prevent this from happening, it’s worth taking an antihistamine if you suffer from hay fever and keeping the windows closed to prevent any pollen from entering the bedroom. You should also dust the fan and ensure it’s regularly cleaned to prevent dust from building up in the blades.
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Fans, especially when running for a long period of time, can also dry out the air around you. “Breathing in dry air can cause unwanted side effects such as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, nosebleeds, and dehydration,” the pros added. “A steady dry stream of air can also dry out your eyes, and for those who sleep with their mouth open, the dry air could also lead to a sore throat.”
To prevent these unwanted symptoms, it might be worth investing in a humidifier – but these appliances drastically range in price and quality. For example, you can pick up a portable cool mist humidifer from Amazon for just £15.99 or splurge on a fancy Dyson alternative for £499.99. The more expensive option comes with a HEPA 13 filter that captures 99.5 per cent of pollutants as small as 0.1 microns.
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