Can a Dusty Ceiling Fan Make You Sick?
Ceiling fans tend to accumulate dust quickly, so it is crucial that they be cleaned on a weekly and monthly basis – an easy chore that only requires access to a ladder and some cleaning supplies.
An improperly maintained fan can spread dust mites, pollen and pet dander into the air, potentially exacerbating allergies or asthma attacks and leading to dry throats, mouths and noses. It also dehydrates different parts of the body such as mouths.
Allergens
Ceiling fans provide comforting sound in the heat of summer nights. However, sleeping with one on can have negative side effects for those suffering from allergies or asthma, including dry air, sinus irritation and itchy eyes.
As fans circulate air, they also capture dust particles, pollen, dander and pet hair that might contain allergens that cause discomfort in people. Once released into the room by the fan’s motion, these allergens can enter through your nose or mouth when inhaling through breathing.
Allergens are substances that cause an immune reaction in some individuals, leading to symptoms like runny noses, watery eyes, itchy throat or noses, hives, rashes or asthma attacks. Although most allergic reactions are mild and limited only to skin or mucous membranes, anaphylaxis (an extreme response caused by food, insect venoms or medications) can be life-threatening and life-saving in an emergency situation.
As airborne allergens circulate in a room, their circulation can exacerbate existing allergies or create new ones altogether. Breathing these allergens in can aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions and contribute to coughs, wheezes and shortness of breath symptoms.
Cleaning your home regularly and wiping down the blades of your fan can reduce dust, pollen and other allergens that become airborne when you switch on the fan. However, even with clean blades on a new fan this may not be sufficient to reduce allergies; older or dustier fans could still collect allergens while spinning.
Sleeping with the fan on can leave you dehydrated by sucking moisture from your skin and nose, leading to dehydration. In addition, air circulated by fans dries different body parts such as throat and mouth tissues which increases susceptibility to infection or causes excess mucus production as an effort at compensating.
Dry Mouth
Xerostomia, or dry mouth, occurs when salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva to adequately moisten foods and liquids, making eating, drinking and speaking painful or difficult. A variety of health conditions such as ageing, diabetes, stroke, thrush in the throat, HIV/AIDS or Sjogren’s syndrome as well as certain medications (particularly methamphetamine use), smoking or alcohol use may cause dry mouth – as can radiation therapy for cancer treatment and chemotherapy drugs used for cancer therapy resulting in side effects such as dry mouth.
Dehydration can also contribute to dry mouth. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding drinks with added sugars or caffeine will help ensure proper hydration is achieved and prevent dehydration from setting in.
To maintain healthy teeth and gums, brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss once weekly. In between meals, chew sugar-free gum to promote saliva flow; alternatively you could try mouth rinse or an artificial saliva product from your dentist if your dry mouth persists.
If your ceiling fan accumulates an excessive amount of dust, turn off its blades and arrange a step stool or ladder underneath as needed. Dampen a cloth with mild all-purpose cleaner or water and wipe each fan blade until they are all clean. Alternatively, spraying half vinegar and half water or using mild degreaser spray on it (do not soak), can make cleaning simpler – then slide this pillowcase over each fan blade to trap any dust.
Other methods that may help alleviate dry mouth include using a room vaporizer in your bedroom and breathing through your nose instead of mouth while sleeping, avoiding spicy, salty or dry foods and beverages, chewing sugar-free gum to encourage saliva production, as well as avoiding acidic beverages that damage teeth enamel, avoiding tobacco products, alcohol consumption or tobacco smoking (all which increase dry mouth symptoms), as well as refraining from tobacco and alcohol which exacerbate symptoms further. If these measures don’t bring relief then talk with your doctor regarding additional solutions such as medication or artificial saliva products available from them or just talking directly with them!
Nasal Congestion
Nasal congestion, also known as a stuffy nose, occurs when tissue lining the nasal passages become irritated and cause inflammation, swelling, and an overproduction of mucus production resulting in difficult breathing or postnasal drainage (drip down back of throat) of this excess mucus that accumulates inside your nose causing obstruction to breathing, postnasal drainage or postnasal drip. Snoring may result, as well as difficulty sleeping and runny nose symptoms.
Seasonal allergies are one of the main culprits behind stuffy noses, but environmental irritants like paint fumes, pet dander and saliva can wreak havoc year-round. People spending significant amounts of time in offices or factories as well as pregnant or going through puberty may also be vulnerable to congestion of their nostrils.
Viral infections may also play a part, as viruses that cause colds and flus can enter through the nose and begin multiplying inside its lining, leading to congestion. Furthermore, many patients also suffer from chronic congestion as a result of structural issues like deviated septum (wherein cartilage and bone separate left from right nasal passage), deviated septum is off center or when its turbinates – small bony plates which cleanse, warm and humidify air as it passes through them – become enlarged causing further congestion.
If your congestion is due to a viral infection, home remedies should help until the virus clears up. For long-term problems or prolonged discomfort, consult with your physician who may recommend treatment such as decongestant medication or antihistamines; additionally steroid nasal sprays like Fluticasone (Flonase), Triamcinolone (Nasacort) and Budesonide (Rhinacort) can also be taken long term and daily for effective results.
If the congestion is not due to viral infection or allergies, it could be an indicator of an underlying health problem. Your doctor may advise watching and waiting to see if the congestion goes away on its own or suggest home treatment such as applying hot compresses on forehead or nose or breathing steam or using saline nasal spray.
Sore Throat
Dust particles interacting with plastic fan blades generate an electric charge, with dust molecules adhering to its leading edge and leading edge of each fan blade being charged most strongly – this causes dusty ceiling fans to produce an unpleasant electric charge, leading to scratchy throat symptoms. Sore throats may not be pleasant experiences but can serve as an indicator that an infection or health condition exists, with your body sending white blood cells to protect you against pathogens residing there.
Noninfectious causes of sore throat include acid reflux, allergies, colds, air pollution and certain cancers. If the soreness lasts more than several weeks without improvement, consult your physician in order to receive a proper evaluation.
Cleanliness is key when it comes to avoiding sore throats. Regular dusting of ceiling fans, furniture and shelves will help minimize dust build-up in your home. For fan cleaning purposes, an all-purpose cleaner such as vinegar solution may work effectively when used on microfiber cloth and gently wiping down each fan blade; alternatively you could try mixing equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle as an all-in-one cleaner formula; just be mindful not to oversaturate as excessive cleaner may damage its motor!
As a quick solution, place an old pillow case over a fan blade to trap dust. As dust collects, take the case outside and shake or throw in the wash.
Cleaning a ceiling fan may seem like an arduous task, but it should be completed regularly to prevent health problems and extend its lifespan. To reduce sore throat symptoms and extend their lifetime, try taking over-the-counter medicines like lozenges or throat gargles as needed; to stay hydrated drink lots of warm or iced liquids; eat soft foods like yoghurt or ice blocks for additional support; in severe cases consult your physician for prescription medication; in extreme circumstances they can also advise how you can decrease sore throat episodes by maintaining good hygiene practices such as staying hydrated as well as avoiding potential triggers like smoke or dry indoor air pollution.
