It’s
here again. It’s no longer news that we are in the Harmattan season. This is a
season characterized by cold weather, dry, dust-laden wind that comes in from
the Sahara. The impact is mostly felt in the early hours of the morning and
some times in the evening.
The
Harmattan brings desert like weather condition; it lowers humidity, dissipate
cloud cover, prevents rain failing and sometimes create big clouds of dust
which can reduce visibility of what is in front of you.
EFFECT
OF THE WEATHER ON YOUR HEALTH:
Prolong
exposure to the Harmattan weather can affect our respiratory system, hair and
skin depending on the amount of exposure. It causes dry skin, cracked feet, and
dry and cracked lips. It causes dry scalp and hair breakage. Your respiratory
system is not left out because of the
inhalation of air pollutant flowing around the dusty air causing cold, catarrh,
sneezing, even nose bleed. Harmattan also causes itchiness of the eyes,
meningitis and diarrhea due to food been contaminated.
As
there is no way to avoid this season, here are some healthy tips to help us get
though the season:-
1 1. Drink a lot of water. As this is a
season your body will need a lot of fluid, drink and drink a lot of water. An
average adult should drink approximately 1.5-2 liters a day; this will keep the
body hydrated.
2 2. Don’t drink Soda, coke and any other
carbonated soft drink as this dehydrate the skin.
3.3 Wear warm clothes and keep your home
warm. This is not the season to be wearing light clothes. Wear warm clothes in
the morning and at night when going to sleep, as those are the time the weather
gets very cold. You might need to heat up your home too at night.
4 4. Take vitamin C. This could reduce the likelihood
of you contacting flu or catarrh, sneezing as there is dust and cold everywhere.
5 5. Use Lip balm and moisturizer. Use a
special lip balm and apply some oily cream or Vaseline to your body and also
the sole of your feet to protect it from cracking.
6 6. If you are Asthmatic, or a Sickly, this
period could be more difficult for you. Always remember to carry your inhaler
and take extra measures to protect your body from the weather.
7 7. Wash your eyes regularly and wear
protective spectacles if you can, this will reduce exposure of your eyes to
dust.
8 8. Keep your hair moisturized. Reduce the
number of times you wash your hair in this season as this would strip oil off
your hair. Instead try massaging your hair strands with coco butter or coconut
oil to keep it soft, moisturized and shiny.
9 9. Avoid antiseptic soap. You should use
it only when you have skin problem or an infection. This kind of soap should be
used only for short period of time, and only for treatment.
1 10. Cuddle more. This is a special season
design for cuddling and sharing of body heat but if no partner to help with
this role just use your pillow or Teddy bear (wink).
Stay
safe; stay healthy though out this beautiful Harmattan season.
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