Harmattan: Medical Expert Warns Northern Residents Against Skin Damage

As the harmattan season sweeps across northern Nigeria with its signature cold winds and dusty haze, a medical expert in Bauchi is urging residents to take extra precautions to protect their skin.

A resident doctor in the Department of Community Medicine at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Zainab Mu’azu said that the harsh weather often triggers skin dryness, itching and peeling, conditions she says are preventable with simple daily habits.

According to her, dehydration is one of the major culprits behind cracking skin during harmattan.

“People don’t feel thirsty when it’s cold, but the body still needs water,” she said, stressing the importance of drinking enough fluids throughout the day.

She also encouraged the use of moisturizing creams and natural oils such as shea butter, olive oil and petroleum jelly, particularly after bathing. Very hot baths, she warned, strip the skin of its protective natural oils and worsen dryness. Harsh chemical-based soaps should equally be avoided in favour of mild, moisturizing options.

Dr. Mu’azu noted that the lips are especially vulnerable during this period and should be kept moisturized “several times a day” to prevent cracking.

On diet, the doctor highlighted the role of nutrition in maintaining healthy skin. She recommended foods rich in vitamins and healthy fats, including sardine, tuna, cashew, almond, watermelon, banana, orange, guava, mango, spinach, cabbage, cucumber, carrots, avocado, eggs and yogurt.

The physician also cautioned young women against bleaching creams, saying the products damage the skin and heighten the risk of sunburn. She advised the public to embrace natural and affordable skincare alternatives available within their communities.

Addressing the common issue of cracked heels during harmattan, Dr. Mu’azu traced the condition to cold weather, inadequate hydration, frequent barefoot walking and failure to apply oils. She recommended regular use of Vaseline or moisturizing creams, and soaking the feet in warm salty water for 10 to 15 minutes. Using stones to scrub the feet, she warned, can cause wounds and infections.

With harmattan already setting in, Dr. Mu’azu urged Nigerians to prioritize prevention, describing it as “better and cheaper than treatment.”