This is normally more of a problem in colder and dryer weather although there are still many Malaysians who suffer from asthma and many other problems that are generally caused by airborne allergens. Allergens are substances in the air, which could be pollen or mould or from dust mites, that might trigger an allergic reaction in those who are sensitive to these things. They might cause a severe running or congested nose, but at the very worst, they can also trigger an asthmatic attack in those who are prone to this condition.

The problem is even more apparent if you’re commonly a city dweller visiting the countryside for the first time. Unless your immune system has been regularly exposed to low amounts of allergens (even in small enough amounts that it won’t trigger an allergic response), your system is likely to react quite strongly to the allergens out in nature. Therefore, if you’re prone to getting asthmatic attacks and you’re going to be out exercising or walking in nature for a while, it’s probably a good idea to keep to the following handy tips:

• If you take medicine to suppress your asthma, do take your medication about half an hour before you go out. Take your ventilator with you as well so that you have some relief for your asthma in case something in the air triggers an attack.
• Do be very careful about the type of exercise that you do and try and choose those exercise regimes that tend not to trigger asthma attacks. Examples include swimming, walking or leisure biking. Avoid exercises such as jogging or running.
• Make sure you check the air quality before you go out. It’s not a good idea to be exercising out of doors when it is particularly hazy or smoggy, even if you don’t have problems with asthma. Asthmatics, however, will find their asthma can be particularly bad if they engage in rigorous physical activity at this time.

Ultimately, it’s going to be impossible to completely eliminate all your exposure to allergens because there are simply too many types of them floating around, any of which could trigger an allergic response. Nevertheless, with some smart planning and precautions taken, you can still have a good and fruitful time out in nature.