It may sound like a cool idea to have a fan running overnight, especially with temperatures expected to spike in the coming week, but it’s a no-no as far as your health is concerned
A sleep expert has warned against keeping a fan on while you are sleeping as it could lead to some nasty health issues.
The devices are fine to use during the day to moderate the heat, especially with the UK looking at temperatures hitting 30 degrees this week. But an expert has advised baking Brits not to keep them on once you slip into bed. Martin Seeley, the CEO and sleep expert at MattressNextDay, has advised that there are four major issues we should take into consideration before we hit that on switch aiming to avoid a restless night of tossing and turning.
Mr Seeley says the first reason not to activate fans while you are sleeping is that they can cause irritations, such as to asthma and cause allergens to rear up. He said: “Electric fans circulate air in the room, but they also stir up dust mites, spores, pollen, and other allergens. This can lead to symptoms such as excessive sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, itchy throats, and breathing difficulties. It’s worth cleaning the fan blades regularly, or consider buying an air-purifying fan to help.”
According to The Sun, he added that secondly, “prolonged use of electric fans” can lead to congestion â it dries the air and “causes the body to produce more mucus to stay hydrated”. This can lead to discomforts such as a stuffy nose and headaches from sinus problems. These can be avoided by drinking at least two litres of water throughout the day. The third reason affects contact lens wearers in particular, who should avoid fan use as they can cause dry and irritated eyes.