Why sleeping with a fan on could be a bad idea when it comes to our health

Fans are a great way to keep cool during the heatwave, but you should take a look at what type of fan you buy first, especially when it comes to sleeping with one on.

According to The Sleep Advisor, while having a fan does circulate air to make your room cooler and fresher, it can also circulate pollen and dust. Not great if you suffer from allergies, asthma or hay fever.

"Take a close look at your fan," The Sleep Advisor suggests. "If it’s been collecting dust on the blades, those particles are flying through the air every time you turn it on."

Other reasons not to sleep with a fan on include the fact that it can dry out your skin, as well as your nasal passages. If your nasal passages become too dry, The Sleep Advisor warns that the body can produce excess mucous, making you feel all bunged up. 

And then there's muscle cramping. "People who sleep with a breeze directly on them may wake up with stiff or sore muscles. This is because the concentrated cool air can make muscles tense up and cramp," the experts explain. "This problem is especially common for people who sleep with it near their face and neck. If you’ve been waking up with a stiff neck in the morning, it might be because of the constant breeze."

So while a fan in your bedroom might seem like the only way to counteract the constant heat, it could be worth trying other things like a cool flannel in a bowl of water near your bed, or sleeping on top of the covers with the window wide open.