Presently, we are in the harmattan season, as applicable to every season.
This season is characterized with dust, scorching sun in the afternoon and cold at night.
To enjoy the season however, it is imperative to be well equipped to navigate through it.
The season is known for dry skin, lips, cough and catarrh as a result of the humidity.
Whande’s Diary-Wordpress.com
To cater for this, essential oils like coconut, rosemary and petroleum jelly should be used for the body while lip gloss will serve effectively for the lips.
Consumption of fruits like orange, pawpaw, pineapple, apple among other fruits will prevent cough and catarrh while plenty water should be taken to stay dehydrated.
Also, regular cleaning of the home to prevent accumulation of dust is inevitable during this season.
Harmattan is a very dry, dusty easterly or north-easterly wind on the West African coast, occurring from December to February.
Gradually we have drifted from raining season to the harmattan season; December is just the start of harmattan, and there is still more to expect in the coming year (January).
The harmattan wind has already started blowing in some parts of Nigeria; therefore, we must take necessary steps to avoid being affected badly by climate change.
According to Earth science, the harmattan winds are formed by the dry, dusty Saharan desert winds from the north and the cold Atlantic ocean winds from the south.
It is part of the Northeast Trade Wind circulation strengthened by a low-pressure centre over the north coast of the Gulf of Guinea and a high-pressure centre located over northwestern Africa in winter.
This season comes in to form the cold and hot; the early hours of the day between 4:00 am to the setting of the sun is always hazy, cool, and extremely dry, while from noon to about 5:00 pm, the sun is on the high side, less rainy and dusty.
And with no surprise, it brings its usual dusty winds, dry air, and thick hazes. Not to mention, it brings along diseases as well.
Although the harmattan is very dusty, cool weather that could be hazardous to some people’s health, it is proper to ensure good hygiene during the season and enjoy it to the fullest.
However, some people enjoy the harmattan season, while others do not like the weather.
Some people like the harmattan while others do not because it triggers allergies
As uncomfortable as it gets, let’s not forget the sweet comfy night sleeps it brings as well. Just as every other season, this season comes with its lovely and unfavorable parts, and thus, helpful tips are needed to adapt properly.
It is essential to drink a minimum of four (4) liters of water a day (equivalent to eight sachets of water) to stay hydrated for the proper functioning of the kidneys and other metabolic processes. One of the most obvious features of this season is the dryness and cracking of the skin.
Dry air takes away moisture from the skin leaving the body scaly and for most of us, who surely don’t want to look this way; water-retaining creams and oils are recommended. Frequent bathing is also helpful for washing off dust and dirt carried by air.
The use of a good moisturizer, like Antibacterial Skin Jelly, can give you soft skin all through the season. This skin jelly will also keep you safe from 99.9% of germs – which is particularly important during these times.
Lips become extremely dry in cold months particularly during the harmattan season, when dry air strips off all the moisture from lips. The delicate skin of lips finds it difficult to cope with these harsh climatic conditions. Lips crack and bleed due to lack of moisture and it is a real irritating condition.
Lip cream or balm may also be useful for preventing the lips from drying. Patients with asthma are advised to always move with their inhalers because they are highly predisposed in this season to frequent asthmatic attacks.
The air not only carries dust, it carries pollen and other allergens, which can irritate the mucosal surfaces of the nose and precipitate allergies. These allergies range from sneezing to runny nose and catarrh.
Respiratory diseases like Catarrh and sneezing are the most common and can occur also as symptoms of a cold. It is advisable that people wear thick or layered clothing to keep themselves warm and especially to cover themselves at night.
It is also important to wear nose masks or use clean handkerchiefs especially when it is windy. Nosebleeds are often common and except there is an underlying condition, there is no cause for alarm because the dry air can crack the delicate skin inside the nose, rupturing minor blood vessels and causing it to bleed.
Usually, the bleeding should stop after a while and if it persists, medical personnel should be sought. Taking a lot of fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C greatly helps to boost immunity needed in fighting off infections and staying healthy so make sure you don’t forget to take an Orange or Pineapple after that Christmas chicken.
How to Stay Healthy During Harmattan
Stay hydrated-Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration- Constant hydration by drinking lots of clean water helps to protect the skin from the excessive loss of fluid experienced during this season.
Make use of face towels or nose masks– With the business of everyday life especially in urban areas, our faces and skin are bound to attract dirt that is invisible to the naked eye. So, it is important that the face be cleansed from time to time with alcohol-free moisturizing face towels. Use a nose mask to prevent dust from entering the nostrils.
Asthmatic patients should always keep the inhaler handy and avoid dust as much as possible.
Use of hair wigs and wearing protective hairstyles that keep the tip of hair hidden and moisturized is helpful
Taking of vitamins helps to prevent the effect of harmattan on the body. Vitamins like vitamin C help build immune system to prevent the body from getting the the flu or cold.
Wear protective clothing- The use of warm, thick protective clothing is very important in ensuring that the skin is protected from the harshness that comes with harmattan.
In some cases, the body immunity is strong enough to get rid of the infection, and in serious cases, medical attention is needed; to prevent this, washing of the eyes regularly and use of sunglasses help and a balanced diet should not be underestimated.
Asides health problems, the Harmattan haze makes driving and flight difficult and as everybody travels to their loved ones this season, we all should take care to drive carefully, avoid over speeding and obey traffic regulations.
Home appliances should be put off when not in use and care should be taken when burning refuse to avoid fire destruction. With Joy in our hearts and health in our mind, let us enjoy this holiday season taking care of ourselves, our loved ones and using these necessary health tips.
Harmattan is the very dry, dusty easterly or north-easterly wind on the West African coast, occurring from December to February.
The season usually comes with severe cold and has always been an inevitable period in human life, just as other seasons are in existence, hence, the need for every individual to properly care for both young and old.
In most cases, people tend to focus on what to wear to cover their bodies well against the excessive cold but, consciously and unconsciously leave out their lips to suffer the cold which then causes them to experience chapped, cracked or dry lips from time to time.
A lot of people rely on using their saliva to moisturize their lips which usually is not enough to keep the lips hydrated.
One of the ways to keep your lips hydrated is to drink an appropriate amount of water and healthy fluids.
The amount of water an individual needs vary, so monitor the colour of your urine as drinking lots of water will help your lips and body look amazing.
The use of moisturizing creams (or should I say lip balms) is also advised to help keep the lips hydrated, soft, smooth and beautiful and avoid cracked lips.
There are several types of balms available in different flavours, shades and colours, try to avoid the ones filled with a bunch of chemicals but go for those with natural ingredients like honey, shea butter, coconut oil, almond, olive oil, e.t.c.
Ensuring that your lips are moisturised would help guard against getting them chapped or cracked, which would go a long way in making the season an enjoyable one.
Harmattan season is usually anticipated from the end of November lasting through the month of March every year.
This however varies from year to year and from one part of the country to another.
Characterized by dusty dry wind, the weather is sometimes cold and hot or cold completely depending on the region
Like the two sides of a coin, the harmattan season is eagerly anticipated by some people as it brings a cooling air while it elicits fear in the minds of others because the wind is dust laden, people suffer from dryness of the throat, dry skin, cracked lips, catarrh, cold, cough and nosebleeds.
When dust particles overruns the body systems, the probability also for developing chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis is high.
Cold, an upper tract infection induced by the weather could cause cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and fever.
These symptoms are synonymous with that of Covid-19 hence the apprehension in some quarters.
Be it as it may however, the onus lies with everyone to ensure adequate protection against these diseases as the temperature fluctuates between high and low.
For those who feel discomfort due to dry skin, time is now to ensure regular hydration of the system and use of moisturizers.
To prevent nasal congestion, intake of more fluids, fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin c will help to boost the immune system against diseases as suggested by medical experts.
Since people in the extreme ages such as the very young and old are more vulnerable at this time, more should be done in terms of warm clothing, and warm foods to protect them.
Asthma patients will do well by having their inhalers handy and keeping from dusty places which could trigger attacks.
Wearing of facemasks is already in vogue as a means to prevent spread of Covid-19, more people should imbibe this practice for the overall protection of Nigerians
Moreover, wearing of protective clothing, covering the head, chest and eyes is necessary especially when outdoors
For people living with sickle cell disease, the harmattan period is dreaded as it triggers crisis, though a genetic disease, the cold dry weather reduces the blood oxygen at this time.
More attention should therefore be paid to these categories of people to ensure they are in good health.
Nigeria is blessed with arrays of seasonal fruits and eating them unwashed could lead to sickness, washing the dusts off fruits before consumption is mandatory.
Also, to prevent dehydration often experienced at this time, people should keep bottles of water handy to address the situation.
Since the harmattan season is inevitable, to scale through unhurt, protection and prevention remained keys.
The Harmattan season is usually anticipated from the end of November lasting through the month of March of the New Year.
This however varies from year to year and from one part of the country to another.
Characterised by dusty dry wind, the weather is sometimes cold and hot or cold completely depending on the region.
Because the wind is dust-laden, people suffer from dryness of the throat, dry skin, cracked lips, catarrh, cold, cough and nosebleeds.
When dust particles overruns the body systems, the probability also for developing chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis is high.
Cold, an upper tract infection induced by the weather could cause cough, sore throat, runny nose sneezing and fever.
These symptoms are synonymous with the symptoms of COVID-19 hence the apprehension in some quarters.
Be that as it may however, the onus lies with everyone to ensure adequate protection against these diseases as the temperature fluctuates between high and low.
For those who feel discomfort due to dry skin, the time is now to ensure regular hydration of the system and use of moisturizers.
To prevent nasal congestion, intake of more fluids, fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C will help to boost the immune system against diseases as suggested by medical experts.
Since people in the extreme ages such as the very young and old are more vulnerable at this time, more should be done in terms of warm clothing, and warm foods to protect them.
Asthma patients will do well by having their inhalers handy and keeping away from dusty places which could trigger attacks.
Wearing of facemasks is already in vogue as a means to prevent spread of COVID-19, more Nigerians should imbibe this practice for the overall protection.
Moreover, wearing of protective clothing, covering the head, chest and eyes is necessary especially when outdoors.
For people living with sickle cell disease, the Harmattan period is dreaded as it triggers crisis.
Sickle cell though a genetic disease, the cold dry weather reduces the blood oxygen at this time.
More attention should therefore be paid to these category of people to ensure they are in good health.
Nigeria is blessed with an array of seasonal fruits and eating them unwashed could lead to sickness.
Washing the dusts off fruits before consumption is mandatory.
Also, to prevent dehydration often experienced at this time people should keep bottles of water handy to address the situation.
Since the Harmattan season is inevitable, to scale through unhurt, protection and prevention remained key.
As part of the effort to avoid repetition of fire incidents recorded in the last harmattan period, a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr. Olagoke Akinajo has called on the relevant stakeholders to embark on sensitization programmes ahead of the dry season.
Mr. Akinajo, who is representing Ibadan North East State Constituency 1, in his motion “Need for Oyo State Government to Commence Campaign on Safety Measures against Possible Fire Outbreaks During Dry Season” disclosed that the state had recorded several fire outbreaks that had destroyed goods and property worth of billions of naira.
The Chairman, Committee on Inter-parliamentary Relations recalled that Akesan, Orita-Aperin and Shasha markets fire outbreaks were still fresh in the memory of the people in the state.
The lawmaker urged the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to educate the people on hazards associated with indiscriminate bush and waste burning as well as the use of bangers and other explosive items in the name of Xmas and New Year celebrations.
Speaker of the House, Mr. Adebo Ogundoyin, in his resolutions, called the attention of the Oyo State Fire Service to be ready to tackle any fire outbreaks, especially during this harmattan period by making sure that trucks are road worthy and loaded with water.
The House also urged the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to start visiting markets across the state for sensitization on how to prevent fire outbreak especially during the dry season and provide them with fire extinguishers.
