FOUR hidden health risks from using an electric fan to keep cool at night

You try in vain to keep cool during those long summer nights… but it always ends the same way. Hours of sweltering misery, pleading for slumber to kick in.

For those without air conditioning, the humble electric fan can alleviate some of the pain. But your clacking, whooshing salvation comes with its own problems.

So much so, a sleep expert has urged caution on anyone rushing out to buy a fan in the hopes of catching some necessary Zs.

Martin Seeley, the CEO at MattressNextDay says that while this cooling device can be an effective way of regulating temperature, there are health downsides,  The Express reports.

So, here are the four health problems having a fan in your bedroom can cause… 

Not a fan of this idea: Expert urges caution over your attempts to stay cool at night

Allergens and asthma 

While having a fan rotate cold air sounds nice, it is also spreading allergens around your room.

It can also circulate dust mites, spores and pollen, triggering reactions.

And it can also spell bad news for those with asthma.

Mr Seeley says: ‘So, if you find that you’re suffering from excessive sneezing, watery eyes, a runny nose, itchy throats and even breathing difficulties, make sure that there is no dust on the blades of your electric fan.

‘If you have the budget, it is worth upgrading to a better fan that can purify the air by reducing the pollen particles and dust mites throughout the room.’

If you do own a fan however, it is important that you clean it regularly, the expert says.

Dry eyes and irritation

While the cooling devices can be an effective way of regulating your temperature at night, there are some health downsides to them (File image)

Excessive air movement dries out your eyes.

Therefore, for those who wear contact lenses, a fan will increase the likelihood of dry eyes and irritation. 

But you can avoid this from happening by decreasing the speed of the oscillating fan.

Congestion

The excess wind created by an electric fan can dry out your nose and throat.

And this can result in your body producing more mucus in order to stay hydrated.

The expert says said: ‘This can create many side effects, including a headache, stuffy nose and even a sinus headache.’

In order to alleviate this, simply increase your water intake to help stop this from happening.

Furthermore, the expert recommends drinking at least two litres of water per day.

Stiff neck and sore muscles

If you usually wake up with sore or stuff muscles after your beauty sleep, Mr Seeley recommends refraining from directing the electric fan towards you during the night.

He explains that this is because concentrated cool air can ‘make your muscles tense up and cramp up,’ which will result in you feeling even more pain.

The expert continued to say: ‘You may even notice that you’ve gained a stiff neck since using an electric fan, so refrain from using it for a few nights to see if you spot a difference.’