Check out the ways to care for your health in harmattan season and avoid catarrh and cough

Harmattan Season: Ways to care for your health

This season can trigger asthma and allergies. Asthmatic patients should always keep the inhaler handy and avoid dust as much as possible. Drink plenty of water

During the harmattan season, the temperature is cold in most places, but can also be hot in certain places, depending on local circumstances. This season differs from winter, because it is characterized by cold, dry, dust-laden wind, and also wide fluctuations in the ambient temperatures of the day and night. 

Temperatures can easily be as low as 9 °C (48 °F) all day, but sometimes in the afternoon, the temperature can also soar to as high as 30 °C (86 °F), while the relative humidity drops under 5%. It can also be hot in some regions, like in the Sahara. The air is particularly dry and desiccating when the Harmattan blows over the region.

The Harmattan is a season in West Africa that occurs between the end of November and the middle of March. It is characterized by the dry and dusty northeasterly trade wind, of the same name, which blows from the Sahara over West Africa into the Gulf of Guinea. The name is related to the word haramata in the Twi language.

Harmattan, cool dry wind that blows from the northeast or east in the western Sahara and is strongest in late fall and winter (late November to mid-March). It usually carries large amounts of dust, which it transports hundreds of kilometers out over the Atlantic Ocean; the dust often interferes with aircraft operations and settles on the decks of ships.

Humidity drops to as low as 15%, which can result in spontaneous nosebleeds for some people. Other health effects on humans may include conditions of the skin (dryness of the skin), dried or chapped lips, eyes, and respiratory system, including aggravation of asthma.

This season can trigger asthma and allergies. Asthmatic patients should always keep the inhaler handy and avoid dust as much as possible. This dry cold dusty season triggers sickle cell disease (SCD) as well. Patients should drink plenty of water and avoid outdoor activities as much as possible.

Drink enough water

Various ways to care for your health in harmattan season and avoid catarrh and cough

• Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration
• Wash your eyes regularly to avoid red eyes which is common in during harmattan
• Cover your nose and mouth with a mask or towel when it is dusty
• Avoid or reduce outdoor activities, especially if you have allergies
• Try taking ginger or garlic tea at least twice a week
• Stay indoors to avoid dust inhalation of harmful particles coming with the wind
• Wear clothes that keep your body warm
• Come to the clinic if you have red, itchy, and watery eyes.
• Get medical help if you have running, itchy, sneezing, and stuffy nose
• Keep the doors and windows closed
• Always use moisturizers to prevent dry skin and dry palms
• Use lip balm to prevent cracked lips