How to stay healthy during harmattan

It is crucial to get ready for the special difficulties of the Harmattan season, which has come with its dry, dusty winds and lower temperatures.

Being proactive can have a big impact on everything from safety concerns like increased fire hazards to health risks like respiratory problems and dehydration.

When the Sahara Desert’s dry, dusty winds are at their strongest, which results in lower humidity, colder temperatures, and worse air quality, harmattan typically peaks in December and January.

By following simple yet effective tips, you can stay healthy, comfortable, and safe throughout the season.

Here are detailed tips to navigate the approaching harmattan season:

Drink plenty of water because the dry air during harmattan can quickly cause dehydration. To maintain healthy skin and prevent fatigue, drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Carry a water bottle with you to ensure constant hydration.

Hydrate Your Skin: Dry skin can result from low humidity and chilly winds. Apply oil-based moisturisers, lotions, or petroleum jelly to areas that are more prone to dryness, like your hands, face, and lips. Make sure to moisturise at least twice a day—morning and night—for maximum protection.

Wear Protective Clothing: Harmattan mornings can be chilly, while afternoons may become hot and dusty. Layering your clothes allows you to adjust easily to the changing temperatures. Opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics but include a scarf or shawl for warmth in the mornings. Wearing long sleeves and trousers can also protect your skin from dust.

Use a Face Mask or Scarf: The dust and particulate matter in the air during harmattan can irritate your respiratory system. Wearing a face mask, scarf, or cloth over your nose and mouth when outdoors helps filter out the dust and reduces the risk of breathing issues, especially for those with asthma or allergies.

Keep Your Home Clean: Dust accumulation is a common challenge during harmattan. Dust regularly to keep your home clean, especially in areas where dust settles, such as shelves, window sills, and electronics. Use a damp cloth to wipe surfaces to prevent dust from scattering back into the air.

Increase Vitamin C Intake: The cooler weather can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to colds and flu. Consuming fruits high in vitamin C, such as lemons, guavas, oranges, and tangerines, can strengthen your body’s defences against infections.

Watch out—harmattan can aggravate long-term conditions and cause respiratory illnesses.

How to stay comfortable during harmattan

Protect Your Eyes: Harmattan dust can irritate the eyes and cause dryness or redness. Wear sunglasses or protective eyewear when outdoors to shield your eyes from dust particles and wind. Artificial tears or eye drops can also help keep your eyes moist and comfortable.

Use a humidifier: The extremely dry air during harmattan can cause discomfort, particularly indoors. A humidifier helps add moisture to the air, keeping your skin hydrated and reducing irritation in your respiratory system. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can place bowls of water near heaters or radiators to increase humidity levels.

Be Fire-Safe: Homes and vegetation are more susceptible to fires during harmattan due to the dry conditions. Exercise extra caution with fire hazards, such as open flames, stoves, and candles. Always ensure that cooking equipment is turned off after use, and avoid leaving fires unattended. Keep fire extinguishers accessible.

Keep Your Environment Dust-Free: To reduce dust exposure, seal windows and doors to keep dust out of your house. Use insect screens where possible to keep dust and insects out. You can also use air purifiers to help remove dust particles from the air indoors, creating a healthier living environment.

It’s essential to note these tips for navigating the harmattan season because the season’s unique characteristics can significantly impact health, safety, and overall well-being.

Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand

The post How to stay healthy during harmattan appeared first on Asaase Radio.