TIPS TO HELP YOU STAY HEALTHY THIS HARMATTAN SEASON 

During harmattan, the air is cold and dry. The environment is dusty with outbreak of Flu and skin cracks. You may experience dry skin and broken lips. A cough is usually prevalent due to the dry dirty air inhaled from the surroundings.

In addition, the weather makes people susceptible to cold and although the body has adaptive mechanisms that help reduce the effects of cold, it is only wise to take care of ourselves in order to prevent infections and keep warm. 

Here are simple tips to help you go through this harmattan season in Nigeria:

• Take enough water

It is advisable to increase fluid intake at this time to reduce dehydration caused by extreme dryness of the air. Simply ensure you have a bottle of water with you at all times to increase the motility of mucus. Warm drinks like tea or coffee will help provide you with warmth to fight cold. Drink least 4 to 6 glasses of water per day. 

• Drink honey ,Ginger and lemon dissolved in warm water

This will help to soothe the dry irritated areas of the throat and give you the comfort you need. Honey is a natural remedy for a sore throat and cough. You can also use the honey by spreading it in a snack or putting in tea/coffee as it suits you. This is an effective relief for cold and cough.If you are on a KETO diet use compliant sweetener as a substitute for honey 

• Bathe With Lukewarm Water: Yes, we know that the mornings are really cold and having a shower with cold water isn’t an option; however, hot water isn’t also an advisable option for you as it strips the skin of its natural oil barrier, thus resulting in dryness and itching. Hence, opt for lukewarm water. Skin care experts recommend short, warm showers or baths that last no longer than 5 to 10 minutes.

• Exfoliate: Exfoliating your skin a few times a week will help shave off dead and dry skin cells and allow new skin cells to come up. Use a gentle body scrub Like sugar or coffee twice a week. Note however, that if over exfoliation occurs, your skin’s oils will still be depleted and dry skin will recur.

• Eat fruits and veggies

These are good sources of vitamins and minerals. They contain a high water content, which helps to reduce dehydration caused by the dry air this period. The fruit also helps fight infections and build immunity against a chronic cough and other infections associated with common cold.

• Wear the right clothes

Wearing the right clothes in the right weather helps to prevent common cold and cough. Thick and heat absorbable clothes keep heat released from the body trapped inside and limit radiation of heat to the surroundings. Hand gloves and well-covered shoes also provide enough warmth that you need.

Skin care

People usually develop cracked lips and skin during this harmattan period. The following can help protect the integrity of your skin and prevent dryness.Good body moisturizers can be used to prevent dryness of the skin. They are easily absorbable and increase the hydration of the skin. Other home-made moisturizers are:

• Olive oil & Coconut oil: 

This contains many fatty acids and healthy fat that are good for your skin. You can apply this to the skin after taking your bath to reduce skin dryness. Use also coconut oil to fry and to mix your meals after cooking with Olive oil. 

• Creams with milk content:

 Are excellent moisturizers as they help to exfoliate dry skin and give room for the rejuvenation of new skin cells to replace worn ones.

Choose Safe Products: 

The harmattan season is not the time to use high alcohol or astringent content face cleansers or hand washes as this will strip your skin off its natural oils. Opt out for mild products such as a moisturizing body wash, a cleanser that contains ceramides (fatty molecules that make up the outer barrier of your skin) as they help the skin hold in moisture and an oil based body lotion such as Palmer’s Cocoa Butter; you can even moisturize using shea-butter or olive oil.

Eat Healthy Fats: Not all types of fat are bad for you. There are healthy fats you can consume without the fear of excess cholesterol and also can be heart-healthy. Healthy fats give you energy. You can get healthy fat from polyunsaturated fats such as in nuts, seeds, almond oils ,Coconut oil and fatty fish.

• Avocados are also a great source of healthy fats.

Remember Your Hands and Lips: Your hands and lips are the most vulnerable areas of your body during the harmattan season. As a result, you need to take extra care of these areas as we tend to swipe out the moisture from them very frequently, like when we eat, or visit the bathroom. Make sure that you have your lip balm and your hand lotion handy.

Also

You can apply coconut oil Or Shea butter to your skin after taking your bath. It is absorbable and it makes your skin smooth and soft.

Foods like beans, carrots, tomatoes and peas with anti-oxidants and omega3 fatty acids e.g. salmon help to repair damaged cells and contribute to a glowing skin

✓ For dried lips, Vaseline and balms are good to prevent breaking lips if used regularly.