By Doris Obinna
That season where you get to experience dry-dusty winds during the day and accompanying cold nights is here again. This north-easterly trade wind, which blows from the Sahara Desert over West Africa into the Gulf of Guinea, is called harmattan.
Usually, during months of December up till middle of March, in West African subcontinent, the temperature is cold in most places. The weather could also be hot in certain places, depending on local circumstances. And there are associated infections.
Experts said some microorganisms, which caused diseases, increase during harmattan. It also has more likely effect on people with certain ailments and sickness.
According to an expert, “people with diabetes, who normally suffers excess urination, need to replenish the body with enough intake of water to avoid dehydration. And people who are undergoing treatment for high blood pressure, some of them urinate more often because of the drugs they take.
“And those with allergic condition such as diabetes mellitus, peptic ulcer are also to refill the body with enough water. Diarrhoea patients should also make sure they make do with good water replacement.
“And for those that suffers skin diseases, like athlete’s foot, otherwise known as ringworm of the foot, should ensure they prevent their skin from cracks in other to avoid secondary infection.”
Professor of nutritional biochemistry, Dr. Ignatius Onimawo, said: Harmattan brings desert-like weather conditions; it lowers the humidity, dissipates cloud cover, prevents rainfall formation and sometimes creates big clouds of dust or sand, which can even result in violent dust storms or sandstorms but when the haze effect is weak, this dry wind creates beautiful sunny days with plenty of clear skies.
“It is also associated with hot, dry wind that blows from the north-east 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 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean; the dust often interferes with aircraft operations and settles on the decks of ships.”
Onimawo said since the temperature is always cold in early hours of the morning and late evening, people should always put on warm cloths.
“At this time, protective cloths should always come in handy for all, especially for the elderly and young to always keep them warm. People should always take fruits and drink a lot of water because of the climate change to replenish the dryness.
“People should invest in body oil to retain moisture on the skin after bath. Do not completely dry your skin after shower; about 10 per cent of moisture is retained if you apply on damp skin. You can pour a few drops of oil into water before bath if you prefer. Apply Vaseline and moisturising cream or lotion all over your body, including your under feet. Hydrating creams and lotion are best for all skin types this season.”
Also, a Lagos doctor, Gabriel Omonaiye, said: “One common feature of the season is that it is often associated with some dreadful diseases. It gives discomfort to people with certain allergic conditions as well as causes infections.
“For instance, allergy respiratory situation, like asthma. It is not the best of time for asthma patients. It aggravates cold as well as causes catarrh. Also, for some people, the skin is usually dry with accompanying cracking of the lips; the throat gets sore; sneezing is frequent while sometimes the eyes become wet or ruddy.
“The harmattan, also comes with frequent headaches, sputum in the saliva because of catarrh and over time, cough. The dry, cold and dusty wind associated with harmattan also triggers sickle cell crises in affected individuals, while sole of the feet and even the skin itself in some people tear.
“Asthma patients should be cautious. They tend to have more attacks because harmattan carries dust, pollen grains and other allergenic materials capable of triggering attacks so they should always take their drugs.”

Impact of harmattan on the body
The skin, the eyes and the respiratory tract, which directly connect with the atmosphere, the later via the nose and mouth, are most susceptible to the unpleasant effects of the season. The skin is generally dry with associated cracking of the lips, sole of the feet and even the skin itself.
The body extremities, such as the hands and feet, are sometimes too cold to produce distasteful signs. Babies and the elderly are principally prone to hypothermia (core body temperature below 35 degrees centigrade) due to sub optimal temperature regulating mechanism. Harmattan season is usually a dry and dusty period associated with low humidity; as a result, the weather is harsh to the hair and skin.
Optometrist have advised that it is safer sometimes to wear sunglasses to protect the eyes, where the winds are quite dusty and harsh to prevent infection,
Omonaiye advised that parents should ensure that their windows are closed always to avoid dust, which can trigger asthma and sickle cell disorder.
He said: “During harmattan season, the weather can be cold or very hot. It is, therefore, very necessary to wear appropriate clothes, depending on the temperature.
“The skin should be well protected against the effects of harmattan. Parents should watch their children and wear them warm clothes to minimise the likelihood of having respiratory and communicable diseases.”

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The hazard of harmattan
The effect of harmattan in some countries in West Africa, due to the heavy amount of dust in the air, can severely limit visibility and block the sun for several days, comparable to a heavy fog. The dry air can break the trunks of trees growing in the region.