April 3rd, 2022 at 09:37 am

Harmattan and it’s effects

Harmattan and its effects in West Africa. The Harmattan is a season in the West African subcontinent, which 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 Desert over West Africa into the Gulf of Guinea. The name is related to the word haramata in the Twi language. The temperature is cold in most places, but can also be hot in certain places, depending on local circumstances.

The Harmattan blows during the dry season, which occurs during the lowest-sun months. In this season the subtropical ridge of high pressure stays over the central Sahara Desert and the low-pressure Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) stays over the Gulf of Guinea. On its passage over the Sahara, the harmattan picks up fine dust and sand particles (between 0.5 and 10 microns).

HEALTH

Humidity drops to as low as 15%, which can result in spontaneous nosebleeds for some people. Other health effects on humans may include conditions the following:

1. Common Cold.
2. Asthma
3. Sickle Cell Crisis
4. Eye problems
5. Cattarh
6. Bronchitis
7. Pneumonia
8. Dry Skin
9. Tonsillitis
10. Epistaxis
11. Burns

HOW TO STAY HEALTHY DURING THE PERIOD : 

1. Wear thick clothes to make you warm.
2. Drink plenty water to prevent dehydration.
3. Wash your eyes regularly to avoid red eyes, and wear protective spectacles.
4. Cover your nose and mouth with a mask.
5. Exercise regularly.
6. Use oily creams to keep our skin healthy.
7. Apply lip balms and oily cream to the soles of the feet. This will help to prevent crackings.
8. Reduce exposure to the dust.
9. If you are Asthmatic, reduce exposure to the dirty and dusty atmosphere and always keep the inhaler handy.
10. Wash fruits and vegetables properly before eating.
11. Don’t drink soda, coke, and other carbonated soft drinks. They may dehydrate your skin.
12. Drink hot tea, because it keeps you warm and free of flu.
13. Bath with warm water in the mornings and evenings because it will keep your body warm and free from cold and other flu symptoms.
14. Switch off all electrical appliances after use.
15. Quench naked fire after use.

Wishing you good health during and after this period.