Important advice for anyone using a fan at night as hot weather bakes the UK10:04, 26 May 2026Updated 10:26, 26 May 2026A doctor has shared a message for anyone using an electric fan at night, warning it could 'make things worse' for their health. It comes as the UK continues to bask in severe heat, with the Met Office forecasting highs of 35C across parts of the country.‌The government agency said: "Tuesday will be another very hot day, with a rapid rise in temperatures through the morning. A peak of 35C is again expected in London, the Home Counties and Cambridgeshire. More widely temperatures exceeding 30C will again be reached across eastern Wales, and eastern, southern and central England away from immediate coastal areas."‌The heat is expected to continue through the week, with highs of 31C forecast for Wednesday, 30C on Thursday, 27C on Friday and 28C on Saturday. Amid the sweltering conditions, many people will be trying to keep cool, and using an electric fan at night is a common practice.‌However, as beneficial as it may seem, experts say there are some health issues that can occur when keeping a fan on all night. Otolaryngology health expert, Dr Manan Shah, MD, who is the founder and chief medical officer of Wyndly, has shared what happens when you sleep with a fan.The doctor explained the pros and cons in a video uploaded onto his YouTube channel. He said: "Is sleeping with a fan bad for your health? There are some pros and cons."‌Having a fan on while you sleep is generally safe for most people, but it can be uncomfortable for some. This is particularly true for those with sensitive airways or who like to sleep in complete silence. There is also the decision of whether to use a fan at night, considering how much it could cost to run.Explaining the pros, Dr Manan Shah said: "If your room is hot, staying cold at night will definitely improve your quality of sleep and it can circulate the air." He also mentioned: another pro, adding: "If you have a lot of noise outside, fan can actually act like a sound machine."However, listing the cons, he said: "If it's right next to your face, it can dry out your nasal mucus and your body creates more mucus, which leads to you waking up feeling really stuffy." He also said: "Chronic exposure to environmental noise can affect your sleep. You want to make sure your fan is less than 40 decibels."‌How can sleeping with a fan at night cause respiratory issues?Keeping a fan on while you sleep is usually safe for most people, but the constant airflow can cause dry skin, itchy eyes, stuffy sinuses, and sore muscles. It can also spread dust and pollen around the house, which can be especially troublesome for people with allergies or asthma.According to the Sleep Foundation, fans can spread dust and other allergens around the room. For people with allergies, breathing in these allergens can impact the quality of their sleep.Article continues belowThe organisation says: "Allergies to dust, pollen, and animal dander can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as a runny nose, itching, and coughing. For some, nasal congestion from allergies may also exacerbate asthma symptoms, snoring, or episodes of obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep."Even after a fan is turned off, household allergens can linger in the air or settle on surfaces like fan blades and bedding. Keeping the bedroom and fan blades clean, or using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifier, may help filter some allergens out of the air."To minimise dust and other allergen distribution in the room, clean the fan frequently, especially the blades. For models that support it, adding an air filter can help reduce airborne particles.