Specialists call for protection after Sahara dust cloud heads Cuba

Specialists at the Meteorology Institute and the Cuban Society of Allergy and Asthma on Thursday urged population to protect themselves from the arrival of a cloud of Sahara dust.

According to the experts, the Sahara dust will bring a further decreased rainfall on Friday, so a killing hot weather will prevail.

The Sahara dust brings a great number of mineral particles including iron, calcium, phosphorus, silica, clay, as well as bacteria, fungi, mites and pollens, as explained by Dr. Mirta Alvarez, first-degree specialist in General Comprehensive Medicine and second-degree in Allergology.

Symptoms range from eye irritation (dryness, itchiness, pain, or grittiness), nose and skin rash to airway inflammation, so it is harmful to health, especially for people suffering from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and allergy.

The specialist highly recommended not exposing oneself to dust, trying to stay indoors whenever possible, and avoiding physical exercise outdoors next week.

In addition, she advised that patients with any previous respiratory conditions and allergy should make their preventive treatment, using control medication such as inhaled steroids Beclomethasone or Fluticasone.

She also suggested to wear face mask or nasal mask for protection, as well as eyeglasses, which are barriers to dust contact with the eyes, nose and mouth.