Survival Instincts for the Harmattan

Once again, it’s that time of the year. It is the Harmattan period. The signs are everywhere:  dry skin (due to loss of moisture), cracked lips and feet. Some cracks even become ulcerated.

This period has been described by climatologists as a hot, dry and dusty wind that blows over West Africa. The northeasterly wind blows from the Sahara Desert into the Gulf of Guinea between the end of November and the middle of March.

Usually in Nigeria, the harmattan period usually starts early in December and goes on till the middle of January. This year’s Harmattan was quite different from the others as it surfaced gradually in various cities before eventually visiting Lagos.

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.

It’s Effect On Your Health

It is a natural hazard that affects all exposed surfaces of humans like skin, the eyes, nose, mouth and the respiratory tract which directly communicate with the atmosphere.
During this period, the eyes are exposed to the dust particles carried by the dry, cold and dusty wind leading to itching, redness, and foreign body sensation. Allergic eye diseases are also common.
This dust particles may overwhelm the system and predispose it to infection. Sneezing, cough, catarrh and even nasal bleeding could be experienced.
Due to the dust that settles on foods that are not properly stored or washed before consumption, there is also an increase in the incidence of cases of diarrhea disease and other food borne diseases.
The cold dusty weather tends to aggravate the condition of people with existing respiratory conditions like asthma.
The dry, cold and dusty harmattan wind could also trigger sickle cell crisis.

Survival Instincts

  • Regular water intake. More water should be consumed during this period considering the rate of dehydration. Also avoid caffeinated drinks and other practices which could cause dehydration.
  • The skin can be kept healthy by application of oily creams and weather friendly clothing. Protective jackets such as trousers, socks and other jackets should be worn when necessary.
  • Use appropriate skin cream. Apply them on areas that are prone to dryness like the lips, hair, face, the heels of the foot, etc.
  • Rinse your eyes with clean water. If you can, wear protective spectacles. Reduce exposure to the dust as much as possible.
  • Special precautions should be taken by individuals with pre-existing chronic chest infection like asthma to reduce exposure to the dusty atmosphere. Inhalers should be carried at all times.
  • Consumption of more fruits and vegetables to help boost immunity. Also, these fruits and vegetables should be properly washed before eating.
  • Strenuous activities that lead to high oxygen demand should be reduced.
  • Be careful with fire. Avoid burning indiscriminately and if you have to burn anything, make sure it is attended to and well monitored. Most fire accidents happen in this season because everywhere is dry and the fire can travel easily without restrictions.

The season we all wished for is here but it can damage our health in many ways: it affects our skin, eyes and respiratory tract. It cracks our lips and damages our skin. The eyes are also vulnerable to dust. A lot of other unpleasant diseases are easily triggered by this weather as well. I hope these tips helps in surviving this period.

50 COMMENTS

  1. Nice blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What web host are you
    using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
    I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol

  2. When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now
    each time a comment is added I get three emails with the same comment.
    Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
    Thanks!

  3. Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging
    on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always
    helpful to read articles from other authors and practice something from other
    web sites.

  4. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your site.

    You have some really great articles and I think I would be a good asset.

    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
    Please blast me an email if interested. Regards!

  5. Heya i am for the primary time here. I came across this board and I in finding
    It truly useful & it helped me out much. I am hoping to offer
    one thing again and aid others such as you helped me.

  6. Have you ever considered creating an e-book or
    guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based on the same topics you discuss
    and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would appreciate your work.
    If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e
    mail.

  7. Wow! This blog looks exactly like my old one!
    It’s on a totally different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!

  8. Great blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
    A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog jump out.

    Please let me know where you got your theme. With
    thanks

  9. Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; many of us have created some nice practices and
    we are looking to trade methods with other folks, be sure to shoot me an email if
    interested.

  10. You can certainly see your skills within the work you write.
    The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to
    mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart.

  11. It is perfect time to make a few plans for the future and it’s time to be happy.
    I have learn this post and if I could I wish to counsel you
    some fascinating issues or tips. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to learn more issues approximately it!

  12. I am no longer sure the place you are getting your
    information, but great topic. I must spend some time studying more or understanding more.
    Thanks for excellent information I used to be in search of this info for my mission.

  13. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you so much, However I am experiencing difficulties with your RSS.
    I don’t understand the reason why I am unable to subscribe
    to it. Is there anyone else getting identical RSS problems?
    Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond?
    Thanx!!

  14. My spouse and I stumbled over here different web page and thought I might as well check things out.
    I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to going over your web page yet again.

  15. Hi, i think that i saw you visited my weblog thus i came to
    “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to enhance my web site!I suppose its ok
    to use a few of your ideas!!

  16. This is very attention-grabbing, You’re a very skilled blogger.
    I have joined your feed and look forward to looking for extra of your
    wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks

  17. Wonderful web site. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to several friends ans additionally sharing in delicious.
    And certainly, thank you to your effort!

  18. Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I in finding It really useful & it helped me
    out a lot. I hope to give one thing back and help others like
    you aided me.

  19. Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers?
    My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing a few months of hard work due to no data backup.
    Do you have any methods to stop hackers?

  20. hey there and thank you for your info – I’ve definitely picked up something new from right here.

    I did however expertise several technical points using this site, since I experienced
    to reload the site lots of times previous to I could
    get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your
    web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often affect your placement in google
    and could damage your high quality score if ads and
    marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your respective interesting content.
    Ensure that you update this again soon.

  21. I’m curious to find out what blog system you’re using? I’m having some minor security issues with my latest site and I’d like to
    find something more safeguarded. Do you have any solutions?

  22. My developer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on numerous websites
    for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform.
    I have heard excellent things about blogengine.net.
    Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content
    into it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!

  23. you are in point of fact a excellent webmaster.
    The site loading velocity is amazing. It kind of feels that
    you are doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterpiece.
    you have performed a wonderful process on this topic!

  24. Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a weblog website?
    The account aided me a appropriate deal. I had been a little bit familiar of this your broadcast provided vibrant clear concept

  25. I am really inspired together with your writing skills and also
    with the structure on your blog. Is this a paid topic or did
    you modify it your self? Anyway stay up the excellent quality writing, it’s uncommon to see a great blog like this one nowadays..

  26. Hey! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers?
    My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no back up.

    Do you have any solutions to stop hackers?

LEAVE A REPLY