HONOLULU -- As vog from the volcano cast a pall over much of the state for a third day Friday, doctors are reporting more people with breathing problems.

Even non-asthmatics are beginning to have difficulty breathing, itchy eyes and sore throats, doctors said. Doctors reported an increase in patients of between 15 and 20 percent in recent days. They blame the vog.

Kristie Doseo of Waianae has been coughing and wheezing for the last few days. So, she came to her Straub Clinic and Hospital allergist and pulmonologist Dr. Jeffrey Kam for help.

"It got worse. Yesterday was really bad," she said.

Her daughter Logan, 9, another asthmatic, also has been suffering because of the vog.

In the next treatment room, Kel Higashi, 5, of Mililani was getting another nebulizer treatment.

"I had to take my nebulizer three times at my school," Higashi said.

"Even the normal people, the people who don't have allergies or asthma, again with this prolonged vog exposure, are starting to have irritation. Again, it's akin to inhaling Clorox bleach. Even people that don't have allergies are going to have the burning sensation in their chest," Kam said.

Kam recommends people with vog-related breathing problems to stay indoors, if possible.

"Air conditioning is very important, if they have it. Fans are bad, because fans are going to blow more of the vog around, especially if you have open windows," Kam said.

If you have asthma or allergy medication, like an inhaler, there are things you can do.

"Make sure they're not expired. Make sure you know how to use them. Contact your doctor. Know what to do. A lot of my patients, what we're doing because the vog may be here for a while, are starting to upscale their medications, so that they have better protection," Kam said.

Use over-the-counter nasal sprays or eye drops to clean your irritated nose and mouth of the vog toxins, he said. If you are really having trouble, wear a HEPA filter mask when you are outside, Kam said.

A basic surgical mask will not help because that is designed to stop your germs from getting out. You need a mask that will filter the outside particles from getting in.