Dry Eyes, Itchy Throat and Constant Coughing From the Haze? How to Protect Yourself and Support Your Body’s Resilience

Friday 9 October 2026

Dry Eyes, Itchy Throat and Constant Coughing From the Haze? How to Protect Yourself and Support Your Body's Resilience

Dry eyes, itchy throat and coughing from the haze? Learn simple protection tips, lung-nourishing foods and when to see a TCM physician in Johor Bahru.

Key Takeaways

➡️ Haze Affects the Airways, Eyes and Lungs: Common complaints include dry eyes, a blocked or runny nose, an itchy and dry throat, coughing and a tight chest.

➡️ Daily Protection Comes First: Wearing an N95 mask, using an air purifier and reducing time outdoors are the basic measures.

➡️ Food Care Can Support Daily Wellbeing: Lung-nourishing foods and cooling drinks may ease mild discomfort, but they are only supportive.

➡️ Do Not Wait if Symptoms Worsen: If discomfort lasts or gets worse, a TCM physician can assess your condition and suggest suitable care.

Introduction

When the haze settles over Johor Bahru and Singapore, the sky turns grey and the air smells of smoke. Before long, your eyes feel dry and uncomfortable, your throat starts to itch, and some people begin to cough or feel a tightness in the chest.

Besides basic protection, the condition of your body also affects how sensitive you are to the haze. In this article, we share, from a TCM perspective, what you can do day to day and which foods and drinks may help, so you can look after yourself and your family during haze periods.

Why Does the Haze Make You Feel Unwell?

Haze particles irritate the airways and the moist surfaces of the eyes. This can cause dry, stinging eyes, an itchy and dry throat, coughing and a tight chest. From a TCM view, the dry, impure air first affects the “lung”, which prefers moisture and dislikes dryness.

When you are exposed to haze for a long time, the particles directly irritate your airways and eye surfaces. Your eyes may feel dry and sore, your throat dry and itchy, and a cough may follow. Some people feel their chest is tight and breathing is not as easy as usual.

In TCM, the lung is described as a “delicate organ” that prefers moisture and dislikes dryness. When dry air harms the lung and uses up body fluids, an itchy throat, a dry cough with little phlegm, thicker phlegm, and a dry nose and skin become more likely. The impure air in haze may also affect the “clear orifices”, so some people feel dry eyes, light-headedness and a stuffy chest as well.

Some groups feel the effects more strongly and may take longer to recover. These include children, older adults, people with long-term health conditions or serious heart and lung conditions, people with asthma or low resistance, and people with irregular routines or a weaker constitution.

That is why, in the same haze, some people hardly notice anything while others cough constantly. Constitution and general condition play a large part.

How Can You Protect Yourself in Daily Life During Haze Periods?

Reduce unnecessary time outdoors, wear a well-fitted N95 mask when you go out, and use an air purifier indoors. These simple steps are the most direct first line of protection, and they work best when you keep them up consistently.

Basic protective steps are still the most direct way to shield yourself from the haze.

Cutting down on unnecessary outdoor activity is the most important one. This matters most for people with sensitive airways or allergies, and for households with children or older family members. Schedule outdoor exercise and long outings for times when air quality is better, or move activities indoors.

When you do go out, an N95 mask can block more than 95% of non-oily particles of 0.3 micron, which reduces how much haze you breathe in. Indoors, an air purifier can improve air quality, especially when haze levels are high.

These steps are simple, but doing them consistently reduces the direct irritation on your body.

Which Foods Can Help Nourish the Lungs?

In TCM, “white” foods are traditionally linked to the lung. White radish, lily bulb, white fungus and Chinese yam are common choices. They are easy to find and cook, and can be added to daily meals as gentle support. They are not a treatment.

Besides outside protection, TCM places great importance on everyday food, especially when air quality is poor. A traditional saying is “eat white to moisten the lung”, based on the TCM idea that the colour white corresponds to the lung. During haze, you can include moderate amounts of moistening white foods.

White radish is a common choice with a light nature, good in soup or stir-fried. Lily bulb is often cooked in sweet soups or herbal soups for its moistening quality. White fungus has a soft, gelatinous texture and is often stewed into desserts. Chinese yam is mild and suits soups and porridge without being heavy on the body.

These ingredients are easy to find and simple to cook, so you can add them to everyday meals or have them as a dessert.

A Simple Lung-Nourishing Recipe: White Fungus, Lily Bulb and Lotus Seed Sweet Soup

This is a traditional, soothing sweet soup that is commonly enjoyed for its moistening qualities.

Ingredients: 1 dried white fungus (about 15 to 20 g), 50 g dried lotus seeds, 50 g dried lily bulb, 10 red dates, goji berries (about 10 to 15 g), rock sugar to taste, and about 1,500 ml of water.

Method:

1️⃣ Soak the white fungus, lotus seeds and lily bulb separately in water for 30 minutes to 1 hour until soft.

2️⃣ Trim the hard base from the white fungus and tear it into small pieces (the smaller the pieces, the more easily it releases its gel). Remove the bitter lotus seed cores if you prefer.

3️⃣ Put the white fungus, lotus seeds, lily bulb and red dates in a pot with 1,500 ml of water. Bring to the boil over high heat, then simmer on low heat for 40 to 60 minutes until the white fungus is soft and gelatinous and the lotus seeds are tender.

4️⃣ Stir in rock sugar until dissolved, add the rinsed goji berries, and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes before serving.

Which Cooling Drinks May Ease Mild Discomfort?

Chrysanthemum tea, selfheal herbal tea and monk fruit herbal tea are common household drinks during hot, dry and hazy weather. They can be sipped in moderation when your throat feels dry or your body feels warm, as part of everyday care.

Suitable drinks can also ease mild haze-related discomfort, especially an itchy, dry throat or a feeling of heatiness.

Chrysanthemum tea is a household staple with a light fragrance, and many people brew a cup when their throat is uncomfortable or their eyes feel tired. Selfheal herbal tea is a common choice in hot, stuffy weather. Monk fruit herbal tea has a natural sweetness and goes down smoothly, and many families in Johor Bahru keep it at home during this period.

These drinks are part of everyday care. Enjoy them in moderation when your throat feels dry or your body feels warm.

When Should You See a TCM Physician for Haze-Related Discomfort?

See a TCM physician if your cough becomes more frequent, chest tightness does not go away, or a sore throat affects your daily life or sleep. Protection and food care are for daily upkeep and prevention, and they do not replace proper assessment or treatment.

The protection steps and food care above are mainly for daily upkeep and prevention, and they do not replace formal treatment.

If you only have mild dry eyes or an occasional itchy throat, good protection and diet changes usually help. But if symptoms do not improve or get worse, such as a more frequent cough, lasting chest tightness, or a sore throat that disturbs your day and sleep, we do not recommend relying on food care alone. Please seek professional help.

At Ma Kuang TCM, our TCM physicians check your pulse and take a detailed history to understand your current condition, then assess whether herbal care or another form of treatment is suitable. Having a physician assess you gives a more accurate picture and more peace of mind than judging it yourself.

Conclusion

Haze has been troubling many residents in Johor Bahru, and dry eyes, an itchy throat, coughing and chest tightness are shared complaints. Basic protection, together with lung-nourishing foods and cooling drinks, are everyday habits worth following, but they are only supportive and preventive.

If your discomfort does not improve, or your symptoms seem to be getting worse, we recommend having a TCM physician assess you in person to understand your actual condition and decide the right direction of care, instead of pushing through on food care alone.

You are welcome to book an appointment with us at Ma Kuang TCM in Johor Bahru. Our TCM physicians will consult with you, give suitable advice based on your condition, and help you and your family get through the haze period in good health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What services does Ma Kuang TCM offer in Johor Bahru?

Ma Kuang TCM offers a range of TCM services, including herbal care, acupuncture, cupping, Gua Sha, Tuina massage and pain management. We have three branches in Johor Bahru, at Sutera Mall, Toppen Shopping Centre and Bukit Indah (next to Lotus’s), for the convenience of nearby residents. You can view the clinic locations for details.

Q2. What should families with children and older adults watch out for during the haze?

The airways of children and older adults are usually more sensitive, so symptoms may be more noticeable. We suggest limiting the time they spend outdoors during the haze and using an air purifier indoors. If a cough continues or breathing does not feel smooth, please consult a TCM physician early.

Q3. Is it normal if food care does not seem to work?

Food care is mainly for daily upkeep and support. The effect differs from person to person, and it is not immediate. If your symptoms are quite noticeable or do not improve, food care alone may not be enough. We suggest seeing a TCM physician to assess whether other forms of care are needed.

Q4. Which type of mask works best against haze?

We suggest an N95 mask that fits snugly, so there are fewer gaps for air to enter. Replace masks regularly and avoid wearing one for too long, as it can lose its protective effect. A mask is only one form of protection, so also try to limit your time outdoors.

Q5. My throat has been itchy and I have been coughing for several days. What should I do?

If the itching or cough has lasted several days without improving, or seems to be getting worse, please do not rely on food care alone. See a TCM physician early. Through a consultation and pulse check, the physician can understand your condition, decide whether herbal care is needed, and give advice that fits your situation.

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