5 Steps to Allergy-Proof Your Home

Trigger: You might be surprised to know that saliva and dander, not fur, because most pet allergies. Proteins in the saliva stick to the fur which then floats into your nose or lungs to cause an allergic reaction.

Fix: The hard-hearted (yet best) solution is to remove the pet from the home. But if the family can't part with Fluffy, don't allow her access to bedrooms. Grooming or bathing your pet every three or four weeks can also help keep allergens to a minimum.

Trigger: Your home ventilation system can be a friend or a foe. Properly maintained, it can filter out allergens. However, if you don't check it and clean filters, a central air system can circulate allergens such as pollen and animal dander. It can also be a source of mold itself if an attached humidifier pumps too much moisture through the system.

Fix: Clean your dehumidifier once every two weeks. Change your furnace filters religiously according to the manufacturer's directions (or the filter maker's directions). Use ceiling fans to circulate air to help prevent water from condensing and mold from forming. Have fans in rooms of your house that involve water, such as a shower, sink, or toilet. These fixtures can trap vapor in a room.

Trigger: Open windows can expose you to outdoor allergen triggers, such as pollen. However, the flip side is having a house that's too sealed up, which can keep potential irritants in, concentrating their levels.

Fix: Keep windows closed, especially during peak allergy seasons of spring and fall, and before you go to sleep. The highest pollen counts are from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. You'll wake up feeling symptoms after having a window open all night. You'll wake up with runny nose and tearing, which is no way to start a day.