A pharmacist, Mrs. Rotkang Okunola, has advised members of the public to keep themselves warm during the harmattan, to protect their eyes, skin and respiratoy systems.
Okunola, chief pharmacist at Dilimi Central Pharmacy, Jos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Jos that the season had health implications that humans must strive to avoid.
“The season is usually characterized 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 the dust particles carried by the dry, cold and dusty wind leading to itching, redness and other allergices.
“The dust and cold weather also cause respiratory diseases such as cough, catarrh, sore throat diseases and bronchitis, an inflammation of the bronchial tubes characterized by coughing, and chest pain,” she explained.
She particularly advised asthmatic and sickle cell patients to be more proactive during the period as the dry and cold wind usually aggravate crises in the affected individual.
The expert listed other challenges associated with Harmattan to include cracked lips, dry skin and cracks on the sole of the feet, and prescribed the use of skin care products.
Okunola advised people to wear cardigans, head warmers, stockings, leggings and hand gloves to keep warm.
She emphasized the need to keep children warm as they were more prone to cold which could lead to pneumonia if not effectively managed.
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