Because the harmattan season sweeps throughout northern Nigeria with its signature chilly winds and dusty haze, a medical skilled in Bauchi is urging residents to take further precautions to guard their pores and skin.
A resident physician within the Division of Group Drugs on the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Educating Hospital, Dr. Zainab Mu’azu mentioned that the cruel climate usually triggers pores and skin dryness, itching and peeling, situations she says are preventable with easy day by day habits.
Based on her, dehydration is likely one of the main culprits behind cracking pores and skin throughout harmattan.
“Folks don’t really feel thirsty when it’s chilly, however the physique nonetheless wants water,” she mentioned, stressing the significance of ingesting sufficient fluids all through the day.
She additionally inspired using moisturizing lotions and pure oils akin to shea butter, olive oil and petroleum jelly, notably after bathing. Highly regarded baths, she warned, strip the pores and skin of its protecting pure oils and worsen dryness. Harsh chemical-based soaps ought to equally be averted in favour of gentle, moisturizing choices.
Dr. Mu’azu famous that the lips are particularly susceptible throughout this era and needs to be stored moisturized “a number of instances a day” to forestall cracking.
On food regimen, the physician highlighted the position of diet in sustaining wholesome pores and skin. She advisable meals wealthy in nutritional vitamins and wholesome fat, together with sardine, tuna, cashew, almond, watermelon, banana, orange, guava, mango, spinach, cabbage, cucumber, carrots, avocado, eggs and yogurt.
The doctor additionally cautioned younger girls towards bleaching lotions, saying the merchandise injury the pores and skin and heighten the danger of sunburn. She suggested the general public to embrace pure and inexpensive skincare alternate options accessible inside their communities.
Addressing the widespread subject of cracked heels throughout harmattan, Dr. Mu’azu traced the situation to chilly climate, insufficient hydration, frequent barefoot strolling and failure to use oils. She advisable common use of Vaseline or moisturizing lotions, and soaking the toes in heat salty water for 10 to fifteen minutes. Utilizing stones to wash the toes, she warned, may cause wounds and infections.
With harmattan already setting in, Dr. Mu’azu urged Nigerians to prioritize prevention, describing it as “higher and cheaper than therapy.”
