Harmattan is the season when dry and
dusty wind blows from the Sahara to the western coast of Africa between the
months of November and March. It is usually characterized by a cold, dry, dusty
wind in the evenings until the early hours of the morning.
When the harmattan blows hard, the
heavy amount of dust in the air can severely limit visibility and even block
out the sun, comparable to a heavy fog.
During this period
people experience cold especially in the morning while visibility is also
affected because of the early morning haze making motorists wait sometimes for
clear vision or drive with fog lights on while those who could not afford to
wait drive at very low speed to avoid accidents.
The season comes with
its own challenges on health, skin and also the hair. Due to the dusty wind,
some diseases like conjunctivitis, asthma, cough and catarrh are more frequent
most especially in the North.
However,
here are proven basic remedies and tips to cope with the harshness of this
season:
·
Drink
plenty of water to prevent dehydration
·
Wash
your eyes regularly to avoid red eyes which is common during harmattan
·
Cover
your nose and mouth with a mask or towel when it is dusty
·
Avoid
or reduce outdoor activities, especially if you have allergies
·
Stay
indoors to avoid dust inhalation of harmful particles coming with the wind
·
Wear
clothes that keep your body warm
· Get
medical help if you have red, itchy, watery eyes, running, sneezing, and stuffy
nose
·
Keep
the doors and windows closed
·
Always
use moisturizers to prevent dry skin and dry palms
·
Use
lip balm to prevent cracked lips
·
Application of oily creams to the soles of the feet will
prevent them from cracking.
·
Asthma patients should carry their inhalers with them at all
times.
· Picking your nose during harmattan may make it bleed, so
avoid that as much as possible
·
Washing your face with clean water will also help reduce the
exposure of your eyes to dust and germs.
“Finally, take in more fruits and
vegetables to help boost immunity and also take enough time to rest.”
For more health information tips,
"Insure your assets now and leave the stress and risk to us".
Sources:
http://healthematics.com/stay-healthy-beautiful-harmattan/5/
