WITH forecasters predicting a 34C heatwave this week, it's sure to have Brits reaching for a fan to try and get a comfortable nights' sleep.
But if you're one of the UK's 13 million hay fever sufferers then you might want to reconsider.
Experts say that sleeping with a fan on could actually make symptoms worse.
Mark Reddick, known as The Sleep Advisor, warns that fans can trigger allergies for a number of reasons.
First of all, the way a fan works is by moving cool, dry air around the room – and while this can offer short-term relief from the heat – it can cause the nasal passages, eyes and throat to dry out.
Not only that, but a fan can circulate any dust and pollen that may have settled in your bedroom – or even on the fan itself.
For those with pets, pollen can really move around to all parts of your home.
'Pollen whirlwind'
So when you switch your fan on, all those hidden particles get swept up and circulated around your room.
It creates a type of "pollen whirlwind" – which you're lying in the centre of.
Mark says: "For some people, having a ceiling or floor fan in the room helps them fall asleep and stay cool during the night.
"For others, it can keep them awake, trigger asthma attacks or dry out their eyes."
If you’re prone to allergies, asthma, and hay fever, this could stir up a whole lot of trouble
He added: "As a fan moves air around the room, it causes flurries of dust and pollen to make their way into your sinuses.
"If you’re prone to allergies, asthma, and hay fever, this could stir up a whole lot of trouble."
Mark recommended people clean their fans before they use them.
He said: "If it’s been collecting dust on the blades, those particles are flying through the air every time you turn it on."
Most hay fever sufferers know that sleeping with a window open is no good either as that allows pollen to come inside overnight.
But with pollen levels set to hit "very high" across the UK for the next few days – and temperatures soaring to above 30C – how can you cool down?
Here are a few tips for beating the heat without resorting to a fan or opening a window….
1. Sleep naked
The quicker you fall asleep, the better quality of sleep you tend to have, according according to the National Sleep Foundation.
One way of reducing the amount of time it takes you to fall into a deep sleep is to lower your body temperature.
Doing so lets the body tell it that it's time for snoozing – and a simple way to do that is to strip off.
2. Cold water bottle
Grab your hot water bottle and fill it with icy slush.
It might give you a bit of a shock in bed but if you are really struggling with overheating, it's a good way of radiating out a cold hue in the sheets.
3. Freeze your sheets
Sounds odd but putting your sheets in the freezer will make your bed beautifully cool.
Simply fold them into a waterproof bag and pop them in for 15 minutes before re-dressing your bed.
4. Grab a flannel
Keep a wet flannel by your bed and lie it over your eyes and press to your temples before you try to go to sleep.
Apply it throughout the night if you feel yourself coming over all hot and sweaty.
5. Use your blinds
The NHS recommends keeping rooms cool by using shades or reflective material outside the windows.
"If this isn't possible, use light-coloured curtains and keep them closed (metallic blinds and dark curtains can make the room hotter)," it explained.
6. Unplug technology
Did you know that plugged in chargers can emit heat?
It probably won't make a massive difference but you're better off moving any technology out of the bedroom and unplugging anything that's charging to reduce any extra heat.
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