HARMATTAN; The good, The bad and the Ugly
The Harmattan is a dry and dusty North easterly trade wind, blowing from the Sahara Desert across west African and into the gulf of Guinea. As the wind blows, it carries along with it some of the plentiful sands that abound there. This account for the dustiness that characterizes the harmattan.
According to Nigeria meteorological Agency (NIMET) its’ called the ambient temperature a situation whereby temperature fluctuates from as low as 9oc (48of) to as high as 30oc (86of) within the same day.
During this period starts with trivial illness like cold, Catarrh and cough. According to Prof. Etete Peters, a professor of respiratory Medicine and former Chief Medical Director, UUTH, the risk of Respiratory irritation is quite high when the weather is too cold and it becomes easy cause problems in the lungs, throat, Nose, this increases the spread of infections or diseases such Asthma, Bronchitis, pneumonia, Neuralgia then paralysis of the eyelids. According to him, the Harmattan is a natural phenomenon that we have to contain with
Simple tips to cope with the harmattan season
The risk of respiratory irritation is quite high during this season (harmattan).
According Prof Etete Peter of respiratory Medicine and the former Chief Medical Director UUTH. The harmattan season is a natural phenomenon we have to contain with. During this period illness like cold, catarrh, and cough are common and this is as the result of the cold weather and the dusty nature of the atmosphere, which increases the of asthma, Bronchitis, pneumonia, Neuralgia then paralysis of the eyelids.
To mitigate the effect of the season, one has to adhere to the simple tips below, given by the prof. of respiratory medicine
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration
- Wash your eyes regularly to avoid redness.
- Cover your nose and mouth with clean handkerchief or mash when it is dusty.
- Avoid or reduce outdoor activities if you are allergic to dust or cold.
- Stay indoors to avoid dust irritation of harmful particles coming with the wind.
- Wear clothes that keep your body warm.
- Get medical help if you have running, stuffy, sneezing and itchy nose.
- Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible
- Use moisturizers to prevent dry skin and dry palms.
- Use lip balm to prevent cracked lips.
- Asthmatic patients should always keep their inhaler handy and avoid dust as much as possible.
- Patients with sickle cell diseases (SCD)should drink plenty of water and avoid outdoor activities as much as possible.
Despite its adverse health effects, it’s not without some benefits to man.for example, the low temperature associated with it Is unfavorable for breeding of mosquitoes thus reducing the incidence of malaria.
The cool wind also brings relieve from the oppressive heat.it also makes for some beautiful sunrise and sunset.
In all,we love the harmattan season it almost an integral part of the festive season.
Everyone is able to cover up and have wonderful sleep in the night. also, there is a local believe(among farmers)that whenever there is heavy harmattan,it is an indication of good farming season.This is because all the wind that the harmattan season blows down simply compost and fertilize the farm lands.
How nice is that!
So do you love the harmattan season?