MAKKAH, 23 December 2007 — Cold and flu medicines comprised the bulk of medications that pilgrims bought as soon as they arrived in Makkah. Other medicines included skin moisturizing creams, and those for high blood pressure and diabetes.
Ashraf Zain Al-Din, a pharmacist who works in the central area of Makkah, said that many pilgrims looked around for these medicines. “People tend to get flu and due to crowded surroundings many people easily get sick,” he said.
He said that his customers were mostly elderly people and parents who bought flu and cough remedies for their children.
“Seventy percent of the medicines sold are for cold and flu, while the rest are for high blood pressure and diabetes,” Al-Din said, adding that pharmacies usually keep a large stock of cold and flu medications this time of year.
The pharmacist added that some pilgrims tend to buy their medicines from pharmacies for quick relief rather than spending money at hospitals.
“Pilgrims have also been going to different health care facilities in the holy city, including Ajyad Hospital and the medical centers inside the Grand Mosque, which operate 24 hours a day,” Al-Din added.
Dr. Ala Hajab, an allergy consultant at the Jeddah-based King Faisal Specialist Hospital, said: “Many pilgrims get flu due to the great number of people staying at one place and also because of the lack of fresh air,” Hajab said, advising pilgrims to take remedial measures as soon as they start feeling sick to prevent their conditions from getting worse.
“The change of weather is also a reason for getting sick,” he said. “Pilgrims need to take more vitamin C pills or eat more fruits,” Hajab said.
Suzan Abdul Ghani, a dermatologist, said that walking for long distances and sweating all day long could cause pilgrims to suffer from painful ruptures.
She advised pilgrims to use Vaseline or other medicated creams for relief. “Above all, pilgrims need to take a good rest for their skin to get back to normal,” Abdul Ghani said.
The dermatologist added that people with sensitive skin need to protect themselves by using umbrellas, especially while going to the Grand Mosque during the day. “Skin problems during the pilgrimage are a normal occurrence and can be treated with Vaseline,” she said.
