For everything there is a season, the harmattan season is here again, we should do our best to avoid prolonged outdoor exposures, careless handling of both animate and inanimate things in order to stay fit and healthy. Due to direct communication of the atmosphere with our respiratory systems, the body’s natural defence system is easily overwhelmed by the high concentration of dust pollutants present in the air. The result is, severe damage to the respiratory system thereby, predisposing it to various forms of infections.

The harmattan season has various negative effects to our body as the occular and respiratory systems are exposed, the skin as well. This period is characterised by the of cracking lips, sole of the feet, hardening of the palms, ball of the palms, amidst others.

The harmattan as we know is a dusty and dry West African trade wind characterized by cold, dry, dusty winds. Each time the wind blows, it results to a heavy amount of dust in the air which can a times block or prevent us from having a good/clear vision and even block out the sun, whirl winds are also very common in this season.

In order to live through the harmattan season healthy and fit, we should endeavour to practice the following;

1. Always wear weather friendly clothes
2. Bush burning should be discouraged, avoided/reduced
3. Though we might be celebrating, the use of fireworks, bangers etc, should be regulated and if possible, entirely discouraged.
4. Wash fruits and vegetables very well, especially in saline solution, in order to avoid food borne diseases. Fruits and vegetables can be contaminated by pesticides as well as animal waste, etc. This waste can contaminate the water used to hydrate crops, from wild animals or the manure used on crops. It can contain pathogens such as E-coli, salmonella and campylobacter.
5. Electrical/electronic appliances not in use should always be disconnected from the electric, wall socket, etc.
6. Use more of flower soap than medicated/antiseptics.
7. Many persons care less about using body cream, not in this season, its of immense benefits that we apply cream, especially moisturizers.
8. Protect your mouth by applying vaseline or lip gloss.
9. Don’t dry your hair completely after bath, if you are not going out, it’s okay to let it dry all by itself.
10. Often use cap, scarf, handgloves, socks, etc.
11. Apply hair oil, hair sprays, lotions and creams to hair daily or as regular as possible (depending on your kind of hair) or weather severity at the time.
12. Eat very well, eat alot of fruits, especially oranges, apples, bananas and vegetables as well.
13. Avoid the use of facial cleansers (as it dries up the oil on the face thereby, opening up the pores of the skin) if you must, make sure to use ones that don’t contain alcohol, as its very harsh on the skin.
14. Be careful to avoid injuries of any form


http://ernesttalks.com/20-things-you-must-do-regularly-this-harmattan/

Nice one.