TIPS TO HELP YOU COPE WITH THE WEATHER DURING THE HARMATTAN

For a few days now, the weather feels rather humid. This is a sign we all very familiar with, harmattan is here!

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 northeast trade wind, of the same name, which blows from the Sahara Desert over West Africa into the Gulf of Guinea.

Although for some people, the cold is a welcoming substitute for the scorching weather we experienced in December the harmattan is not all bliss. Thus, it is important for people to take steps in protecting themselves against this harsh weather.

For people who experience health issues such as asthma, health experts recommend that they carry an inhaler as part of an essential daily item in their bag when they go out. For those with Rheumatism, it is advisable to bath with hot water and wear a pullover so to as avert any health crisis.

Women with Natural hair are also advised not to expose their hair during this time. Harmattan is known to cause natural hair to break and damage. Rather than expose your hair to the harsh weather condition, put it in protective styles such as braids, corn roll or Bantu knots.

Dermatologists also recommend that people should invest in good moisturizing creams such as shea butter and cocoa butter. Moisturizers help to protect one’s skin from damaging or looking ashy.

To protect your lips from cracking, apply a lip balm daily on your lips.

It is also important to dehydrate by drinking a lot of water. Thus, instead of drinking soda or carbonated drinks, switch it for water.

Always apply pomade after a shower so as to prevent ashy and dry skin.  Also, focus on your elbows and knees when you apply pomade.

These steps are important because the harmattan season is often associated with cold, cough, catarrh, asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia. Thus, taking these preventive steps will help keep these sicknesses at bay.