Fan or air conditioning? Boticaria García's advice on how to beat the heat.

The high summer temperatures in Spain have forced many people to take measures to keep their homes cool . The first step is always to follow the classic guidelines: lower blinds during the day, open windows at night, try to create a draft, place fans in strategic locations, and so on.

It's not always enough, which is why it's becoming more common to opt for air conditioning in those rooms of the house where we spend the most time or where we want to keep cool so we can sleep well. This change in habits has come with many questions: Is it good for our health? Is it better to use a fan? Boticaria García wanted to clarify this.

Air conditioning or fan: which is better for your health?

This is a topic that gains great notoriety with the arrival of summer. Everyone wants to know the best way to cool off, and also the safest for their health , since no one likes to get sick in the summer (or any time of year). This is precisely what Boticaria García wanted to share during her appearance on the program Y ahora Sonsoles, where she discussed the characteristics of both air conditioning and fans , but also their differences and the potential risks of using each. Both options have advantages and disadvantages.

The most notable advantage of air conditioning is that it lowers the room temperature . In fact, during the hottest times, one of the recommendations to avoid excessive heat stress is to go to an air-conditioned place, such as a library or museum, where you can take refuge. One of its disadvantages is that, in order to lower the temperature, it "steals" moisture from the environment and also from the body, which means special care must be taken with the mucous membranes, throat, and respiratory tract. Furthermore, maintenance is important; filters must be changed or cleaned once a year to avoid the buildup of pollen or bacteria. Its use should be moderate, especially at night.

The fan doesn't lower the temperature; it moves the air, which is only effective if we're sweating, because evaporating moisture lowers body temperature. It doesn't dry out the environment , but if temperatures are very high, above 40 degrees, its use is not recommended because, as Boticaria García explained, it would be similar to pointing a hairdryer at us .

Effects of heat on the body

Extreme heat can cause health problems such as dehydration.

Heat and its exposure can cause certain effects on the body , which, when taken to extremes, can become a real problem. Dehydration is one of the most common, which is why it's always important to drink water , even when you don't feel thirsty, for older adults. The sweating that occurs in the heat can also be caused by this increased sweating, which reduces the amount of mineral salts in the body.

At high temperatures, the body activates vasodilation because it promotes heat loss through the skin, lowering body temperature. Heat also increases heart rate, which is barely noticeable in healthy people. It can cause dermatitis or worsen symptoms caused by excessive sweating and friction. Muscle cramps are more likely to occur in hot weather due to electrolyte loss, and it's very common to feel more tired than usual.