Keep warm to avoid diseases in harmattan — Pharmacist

A Pharmacist has advised the public to keep themselves warm to avoid diseases associated with harmattan weather.

A Jos-based pharmacist, Mrs Rotkang Okunlola who gave the advice said the harmattan season comes with many health implications that humans must strive to avoid.

“The season is usually characterised by foggy mist, which has dust particles; such particles cause irritation to the eye and the respiratory system.

“In most cases, the eyes are the most affected because they are exposed to dust particles carried by the dry, cold and dusty wind, leading to itching, redness and other allergies.

“The dust and cold weather also cause respiratory diseases such as cough, catarrh, sore throat and bronchitis.”

She explained that bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, characterised by cough and chest pain.

She particularly advised asthmatic and sickle cell patients to be more proactive in keeping themselves warm during the
period, as the dry and cold wind usually aggravate crises in the affected individual.

She listed other challenges associated with the harmattan to include cracked lips, dry skin and cracks on the sole of the feet, and prescribed the use of products that would moisturise the skin.

Mrs Okunlola also advised people to wear cardigans, head warmers, stockings, leggings and hand gloves to keep warm.

She emphasised the need to also keep children warm, as they were more prone to cold, which could lead to pneumonia, if not effectively managed.