This Is How To Make Harmattan Your Friend

I'm sure I am not the only one who has already caught the 'bug' so early into this harmattan season. I can tell you that the sore throat, cough and catarrh is not cool! Having a cold at all is bad, having a cold in harmattan is double trouble! There is the issue of dust too, it's everywhere, there seems to be no escape from it! I don't want to imagine how much of the dust is in my lungs already. You may not feel like harmattan is your friend now, but you can make it your friend.

The weather is cold in the morning, dry(humid) and hot in the afternoon. These weather changes poses many health risks and it is important to carefully safeguard against those risks. These are some tips to help you thrive in this season and keep all your vitality for the holiday groove.

As a result of the weather changes, people are at a high risk for upper respiratory infections as a result of inhalation of dust. Other issues could be:

1. Epistaxis - bleeding through the nose as a result of humid air that cause blood vessels in the nose to break.

2. Dehydration due to dry air or humidity

3. Eye infections like conjunctivitis due to dryness and dust.

4. Sore throat, cough and catarrh.

5. Dried skin, cracked lips and other lesions

6. High tendency of bleeding

7. Poor water hygiene may also occur leading to other gastrointestinal effects like vomiting and diarrhoea.

Protective measures to take include: 

1. Wear protective clothes such as jackets trousers socks and stockings wherever appropriate and necessary

2. Drink more water to ensure you don't get dehydrated.

3. Use appropriate skin cream, the best I can recommend is Shea butter (Ori). Just keep your skin from cracking up and bleeding.

4. Use lip balm or gloss.

5. Don't expose your body

6. Do as much as possible to avoid dusty areas. Asthma patients should always have an inhaler with them.

7. Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing to prevent spread of infectious micro organisms.

8. Do as much as possible to prevent any form of injury since this can cause a lot bleeding.

9.Reduce Strenuous activities the lead to high oxygen demand.

10. Ensure good personal hygiene. 

11. Take in more fruits and vegetables to help boost immunity

12. Get enough rest

You should wear jackets or sweaters in the morning that you can take off at noon when the weather start to get hot again. Get the best out of the season and make harmattan your friend.

Enjoy the season. Merry christmas in advance


Cover image via Honorsworldhistoryseminar.wikispaces.com