The harmattan season is a season that brings with it certain ailments, and harsh weather condition. It is a period of cold, dry and harsh weather that also brings with dust, caring various germs.
There are two major seasons in the climate of Nigeria, the rainy season and the dry season (popularly known as harmattan season). The rainy season in Nigeria is usually between March and November, while the dry season is between November and March.
The dry season is very cold in the mornings and evenings. The mornings are especially cold before sunrise. The season is characterized by cold weather, low humidity, and dust particles suspended in air, blue cloudless sky and drought caused by absence of rainfall.
The Harmattan is a seasonal wind which blows across Northwestern Africa every year from November through March, at intermittent strengths. The dry wind lowers the humidity, which can lead to hot days and cool nights. This famous wind blows from North to South, working its way across the Sahara to the Gulf of Guinea. Along the way, it tends to pick up sand and dust, turning into a very drying, dusty wind. When the Harmattan really gets going, the dust can sometimes create a cloudy haze, which can sometimes intensify into an actual sandstorm.
Health Hazards Associated With The Harmattan
1. Cold
Cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that affects the nose. Coughing, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and fever are signs of the disease. And you know the weather can be cold during Harmattan, so it is very important to wear appropriate clothing to keep you warm and the cold out.
2. Allergies
Since there will be severe cold mixed with dust, people with asthmatic conditions and any sort of inhalant allergies are advised to take precautions because this is the period when they will be inhaling all sorts of dust. This is the period when the Asthmatic suffers more crises. Many also suffer pneumonia and bronchitis, especially the very young and the aged. Those that are allergic to cold should also endeavour to go for thick clothing that can cover them up.
3. Catarrh
This is an unpleasant nasal congestion with a build-up of mucus, usually in the nose, throat, or chest. Ensure you take lots of fruits and vegetables with vitamin C to help boost your immunity and protect you from this infection. And for those of you who might have already caught it, just take looks of fruits with vitamin C and inhaling steam from a bowl of hot (but not boiling) water also helps.
4. Cough
This is a reflex action, that helps clear your airways of mucus and irritants such as dust or smoke, which are alien to the Harmattan period. To prevent this, you could wear a nose mask when out and about in town. And for those of you who might already have it, just increase your fluid intake. What this does is to keep the mucus thin and helps you cough it up.
5. Asthma
This is the best time for Asthma patients to take a lot of care to protect themselves because they usually have a lot of attacks during this period because of the Harmattan dust. Where appropriate clothing, do not expose yourself to dust or cold.
6. Dry Skin
This condition is very common during Harmattan. You know your skin feels very dry and rough. To prevent this very uncomfortable feelings, avoid using very harsh soaps this period, apply moisturizers frequently on your skin that can protect the skin from dryness and make sure you drink lots of water.
7. Dehydration
Lots of fluid should be taken to compensate for loss of water from the body into the atmosphere through respiration perspiration and urinating.
8. The Eyes
The eyes are directly exposed to the harsh weather, especially the dust particles carried by the wind. Thus, itching, foreign body sensation and redness may be common, especially in individuals with allergic eye disease. Proper eye hygiene in the form of washing with clean water, reduced exposure to dust and protective spectacles are advocated.
9. Foodborne Diseases
Because of the dusty atmosphere, there is need to imbibe healthy food preservation culture especially food hawkers such as fruits, vegetables etc to prevent foodborne diseases. Fruits and vegetables should be properly washed before eating. Our drinking water containers should also be properly covered.
The epidemic of meningococcal meningitis, usually experience between February to May in the northern Nigeria inclusive, is an aftermath of Harmattan.
10. The Skin
The skin is often dry with accompanying cracking of the lips, sole of the feet and even the skin itself.
The skin can be kept healthy by topical application of oily creams and weather friendly dressing. This is perhaps the best time to explore the cultural advantage of wearing flowing attire and suits.
11. Sickle Cell Anaemia
The dry, cold and dusty wind associated with Harmattan also triggers sickle cell crises in affected individuals. Sickle cell anaemia to recall is a genetic disease in which the red blood cells become sickle under a condition of low oxygen tension leading to blockage of small blood vessels. The reduced blood supply to the tissues results in pain, especially from the bones. The blood oxygen is usually reduced in extremes of temperatures, cold in this case, and the patients should be vigilant and keep warm as much as possible to prevent crises.
Risks Associated With The Harmattan
1. Fire Outbreaks
Fire outbreaks constitute one of the common risks during harmattan. This is as a result of the harmattan, which is associated with dryness and wind. Between November and March, quite a lot of fire outbreaks are often recorded since there is dry wind, which makes it easy for fire to spread at the slightest ignition.
2. Poor Visibility
The harmattan haze with extremely dry, dusty wind blows from the Sahara toward the western coast of Africa. This can reduce visibility. Drivers beware! Pilots should also take note that visibility is reduced due to high concentration of dust particles in the air, which may sometimes impede air travel.
Remedies
1. Dressing
If you have to go outside, you must dress in warm clothes. Even if you are only making a short journey, be sure to dress in lots of layers. Layers work better than a single thick item because air is trapped in them, thereby keeping you warm. After all, you can also remove layers at your destination.
Another way to cope with freezing weather, in terms of dressing, is to look after your extremities and exposed areas. Hats, scarves, gloves and appropriate footwear are compulsory. Before you leave your house, ask yourself this question: If I have to hang around, say for a delay in transport, or my car gets caught in traffic, would I stay warm? If the answer is no, you are not dressed appropriately.
2. Eat Hot Food
Eating hot soup is the best answer to the cold weather. It does not only warm you up, but fills your stomach. Coffee and cocoa are also good at warming you up, but they don't do quite a good job of filling your stomach.
Eating hot food will also ensure that bacteria and virus do not thrive in your belly.
3. Moisturize your skin
The cold weather can be particularly harsh on our skin if we don't protect it. It makes us to look dull, tired and even older.
While it might leave us feeling warmer, it can also dry out the skin. Unless our skin is properly hydrated, it cannot repair itself properly, meaning that every little irritation could become a bigger problem.
Heavy wind during cold weather can remove the UV filtering lipids from our skin and accelerate sunburn. This is why it is essential that we make up for the loss of these lipids with creams that block the sun's UV rays.
4. Drink A Lot of Water
Particularly at that time of year, you should increase water intake because it helps your body stay hydrated. Dehydration is more likely during harmattan because of the excessive dryness of the air. Therefore, take a bottle of water with you everywhere you go. This helps facilitate the movement of mucus. Also, hot coffee will help you stay warm during this season.
5. Eating A Lot of Fruits
Fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals that would keep your body healthy during the harmattan season.
It is advised to eat fruits rich in vitamin C such as mango, papaya, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, watermelon, guavas, bell peppers, kiwifruit, oranges, papayas, broccoli, tomatoes, kale.
6. Drink Honey and Lemon Dissolved in Warm Water
This will help to soothe the dry, irritated areas of the throat and give you the comfort you need. Honey is a natural remedy for a sore throat and cough. You can also use the honey by spreading it in a snack or putting in tea/coffee as it suits you. This is an effective relief for cold and cough
I wish all our esteemed readers a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
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