Will sleeping with a fan affect your allergies?

15th July 2020

Will sleeping with a fan affect your allergies?

We’re at the height of summer and, if we’re lucky, we’ll get some glorious weather. The downside? It gets way too hot, especially at night. We all know the feeling – you’re trying to sleep, but no matter how you lie, you feel like you’re on fire. You open the bedroom window only for it to do nothing. So you think of something that might fix that problem: a fan.

But this brings up its own problems if you have allergies. The fan can contribute to your allergies flaring up, meaning you still can’t get to sleep. So why does this happen? And is there anything you can do to stop it?

Why is a fan bad for your allergies?

We all know why fans are great. They circulate air around the room, keeping it cool. But it can also stir up dust and other particles that can set off your allergies. This can happen day or night, but we’re focusing on nighttime for the sake of this article since you’ll be asleep and unable to do anything about the problem.

Even if you don’t have a dust allergy or hay fever, you might have sensitive skin. If you do, the constant stream of cold air can dry it out, irritating the skin. Fans have even been known to trigger asthma symptoms when used for a prolonged period of time.

Does this mean you can never use a fan at night if you have allergies? Not necessarily…

How you can help

If you have an airborne allergy, such as a dust allergy or hay fever, you can reduce the chances of causing a reaction with diligent cleaning. Keep on top of your dusting and don’t be tempted to open the windows in your bedroom. Pollen or dust might come in during the day, stick to your curtains, carpet, or bedding, and get kicked up during the night by the fan. You should also clean the fan blades themselves as they might collect dust and other particles too.

For your skin, make sure to keep it well moisturised. Find a moisturiser or lotion that works for you and use it liberally. You could also consider buying a timer for your plug so the fan turns off automatically, meaning it isn’t running and drying your skin out all night.

We all want to sleep comfortably and you shouldn’t have to suffer because of your allergies. It might be worth talking to your doctor – or even an allergy specialist – about what you can do to help. For now, stay safe and we hope you manage to get a good night’s sleep!

If you have any questions about your allergy, feel free to get in touch with one of our specialists. We have extensive experience dealing with allergies and can pass on some useful advice. You can call us on 02031 433 449.

Why sleeping with a fan on can be dangerous for allergy sufferers

21st August 2019

Why sleeping with a fan on can be dangerous for allergy sufferers

It’s not often we get to bring out the fan, but when the temperature is reaching 30 degrees like it has this year, there’s no better excuse. For the past few years, summer temperatures and the number of heatwaves have been creeping up. In 1976, the UK experienced a heatwave unlike any other with scorching temperatures into the mid-30 degrees. It wasn’t until 2003 another heatwave rivalled its severity, then again in 2006, then 2018, and now 2019. 

Heatwaves like this will only become more frequent and more intense as our climate changes. More people are looking for solutions to the heat in a country where A/C isn’t standard in homes. So they turn to fans, even to sleep. But this can have negative effects, particularly for those with asthma and other allergies.

Why sleeping with the fan on might not be a good idea

As fans blow air around our room, creating a cool breeze, they also spread dust and allergens. This can trigger reactions and cause irritation while you sleep and, as a result, you could lose sleep, which can lead to other health complications, and it may prolong your symptoms. 

To minimise this risk, you could try dusting the fan blades and cleaning your home to remove as much dust and potential allergens as possible. But for those sensitive to allergens in the dust, it may be worth turning the fan off at night, ensuring a good night of rest. 

Fans may cause other problems, including dry skin, so using enough moisturiser is important. Also, you might experience tight, sore muscles from the cold air. 

Despite this, for most people, using a fan is a very, very small health risk and the benefits of being able to stay cool greatly outweigh any threats. However, for those with sensitive asthma and allergies, it might be best to find other options to stay cool at night. 

If your allergies are getting out of control, and you’re struggling to find a way to manage them, get in touch with one of the consultants at The London Allergy and Immunology Centre. We use state-of-the-art treatments to help people get their quality of life back. Call us on 0203 143 3449 to discuss your allergy needs.