Coping with Harmattan Related Sicknesses

The weather is getting colder, and with it comes all the harmattan related illnesses like; cough, catarrh, conjunctivitis(Apollo), sore throat and other sicknesses that cause discomfort. Harmattan could also cause or trigger more complicated diseases like rheumatism and arthritis.

These illnesses are not fun because they slow down your productivity and could cause you to miss out on the beautiful experiences you want to have. It is the holiday season, and no one wants to stay in bed while their friends are having a great time outside. It would trigger massive FOMO (fear of missing out), not a pleasant feeling at all.
Luckily, there are ways to prevent this from happening.

It would help if you took your hygiene more seriously, wash your hands regularly. Carry a pocket-sized hand sanitiser everywhere if you can. Make sure to use it after getting in contact with foreign objects. Germs are everywhere, and you could pick something up by touching unclean surfaces. If you haven’t bought thick clothing for the weather, it is time to invest in thick sweaters, socks, and beanies. Your clothes should adequately cover your neck region, arms and legs.

Facemasks gained popularity due to the Covid 19 virus, they also come in handy for protecting yourself against the common cold, so if you stopped wearing yours, it is time to begin wearing it again.

Reduce your intake of cold beverages, don’t stay outside for long and eat healthily. It would help if you always tried to keep warm. To prevent cracked/chapped lips, apply Vaseline or any lip balm of your choice to keep your lips moist so that it doesn’t cause dryness that would cause your lips to be chapped.

But if somehow you manage to contract harmattan related infections, it is best to see a medical practitioner instead of self-prescribing medication. If you have a cold and need to go out in public, wear a facemask to avoid spreading the infection. Stay safe and take care.