In the northern and far northern regions, where temperatures regularly climb above 40°C, the fan has become an indispensable piece of equipment, but its inappropriate use is not without consequences for health.
In the cities of northern Cameroon, fans have become an integral part of daily life. At home, in offices, shops, schools—everywhere—they run almost continuously during periods of intense heat. Faced with sometimes stifling temperatures, this appliance provides immediate comfort by creating an airflow that facilitates the dissipation of body heat. But behind this apparent well-being lie risks when its use does not adhere to certain basic rules.
One of the most common mistakes is placing the fan too close to you. In many homes, it’s positioned just a few inches from the bed, sofa, or desk. The airflow is then constantly directed at the face or body. This prolonged exposure can cause dryness of the eyes, nose, and throat. The mucous membranes, which form the first line of defense against germs, become more fragile and more susceptible to irritation.
Upon waking, some people complain of a dry throat, a stuffy nose, or a feeling of respiratory discomfort. In people already suffering from asthma, allergies, or other respiratory illnesses, these irritations can worsen symptoms and make breathing more difficult. Sleeping all night with a fan pointed at oneself is also a very common practice. However, this habit can lead to muscle pain or stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and back. Many people mistakenly attribute this pain to an illness, when it is simply the result of improper fan use.
Another often overlooked problem is the accumulation of dust on the fan blades. When the fan is running, it resuspends dust particles, pollen, and other allergens in the air, which can then be inhaled. If cleaning is neglected, indoor air quality gradually deteriorates, increasing the risk of allergic reactions, coughing, or irritation
in sensitive individuals. In offices, bad habits are just as common. It’s not unusual to see fans installed directly in front of employees, blowing continuously in their faces all day long. The elderly, infants, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses should be especially vigilant.
Reaction
« Sleeping with a fan can promote muscle tension and exacerbate both cervical and dorsal pain. »
« Firstly, it must be said that when you sleep with the fan on or even when you spend the day with the fan on, and especially when it is close to the face, there is this dryness of the mucous membranes, the airflow dries out the eyes, it can dry out the throat and everything. Sometimes in the morning, you might wake up with a feeling of dryness in your eyes or throat. You need to drink plenty of water.The effects are significantIf it hits the face directly. Secondly, there’s the muscle pain. Sometimes we tend to wake up with muscle pain and stiffness. Sleeping with a fan on, with the direct effect of the cold air, can promote muscle tension or worsen neck, back, or shoulder pain in some people. Thirdly, some people have wind allergies. Sometimes, fans are used but not cleaned, leading to dust and the resulting allergen. When we sleep, we inhale dust and everything, and we can wake up feeling
like we have the flu. That’s one of them. Then there’s also respiratory irritation in people who are very sensitive to dry air. It can cause coughing. You wake up, you’re coughing. You really wake up with a hoarse voice and everything. To avoid this, you should sleep with the fan in the bedroom, but 1.5 to 2 meters away from the person. The fan should also be pointed towards the wall, because the wall reflects the air back towards the person. Everyone is at risk, but it’s more pronounced in people who are allergic, for example, to pollen. It’s also more prevalent in older people, who also suffer from arthritis. People with asthma, people with other respiratory illnesses, people who are really sensitive. So, this applies to everyone. Everyone should sleep with a fan positioned well away from them, at a distance of 1.5 to 2 meters.
