Once harmattan starts, my nose gets clogged almost immediately. My throat feels sore and dry. My ears start hurting in a strange, uncomfortable way. Some days, I even get nosebleeds. It’s exhausting and honestly ruins the season for me.

Over time, I’ve learned that I can’t stop harmattan, but I can reduce how badly it affects me. These are the things that help me cope.

First, I take hydration very seriously. Harmattan dries everything out, and when I don’t drink enough water, my symptoms get worse. I keep water close and sip regularly, even when I’m not thirsty.

I also protect my nose as much as I can. When I’m going out early in the morning or late at night, I cover my nose with a scarf or face mask to reduce how much dust I inhale. It looks small, but it helps more than people think.

At home, I try to keep the air less dry. I close windows at night when the dust is heavy and clean surfaces more often because dust settles everywhere. Warm showers also help soothe my throat and clear my nasal passages when things feel blocked.

I pay attention to my body during this period. Once I notice the early signs, I slow down, rest more, and avoid pushing myself too hard.