Millions of people struggle with common household allergies.
Allergy symptoms range from things like sneezing, sniffling, itching, and scratchy watery eyes, to more intense physical discomfort including asthmatic symptoms.
If you are allergic to dust, mold, mildew, pollen, pet dander, or other common household allergens, there are things you can do around your house to limit your exposure.
Common Household Allergies - Things to Do to Protect Yourself When you are allergic to common household allergens like dust or mold, it can be frustrating.
Many times we are surrounded by these allergens and feel the negative effects.
Fortunately there are some simple things you can do to cut down on your exposure to common allergens.
Follow along for 8 suggestions to keep your house allergy free:

1. Change your bedding regularly.
   Make sure you wash your sheets at least one time a week in hot water.
   According to the National Institute for Health, the water temperature must be at least 130 degrees or higher in order to effectively kill dust mites.
   
2. Consider your flooring.
   Carpeting harbors a lot of dust and pet dander.
   Remove carpeting where you can and opt instead for area rugs that you can machine wash.
   If you cannot remove carpeting, vacuum and shampoo it regularly.
   
3. Opt for window treatments you can wash.
   Pick out curtain fabrics that are washable and consider shades that can be easily wiped and cleaned.
   
4. Wash your pets.
   If you have a pet, make sure you keep it bathed and cleaned regularly.
   According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), an estimated one out of ten people in the U.
   S.
   suffer from some type of pet allergy.
   If you are allergic to your pet, consider keeping your pet out of your bedroom so that your allergy does not disrupt your sleep quality.
   
5. Consider the quality of your air.
   If your house is damp, consider buying a dehumidifier to cut down on moisture.
   Make sure to empty and clean your dehumidifier regularly.
   Monitor the humidity in your house and keep it low so that mold does not grow.
   Also don't forget to change your furnace filters regularly.
   
6. Buy a good mattress protector.
   Cover your mattress with a good quality allergymattress protector that defends against dust mites, bed bugs, and other common allergens.
   You may also want to consider zip-up pillow coverings to limit allergies.
   This is extremely important since the bedroom is one of the most common places for dust mites and bed bugs to live.
   
7. Keep your fans clean.
   Fans can be a great way to circulate air in a house but they also harbor a lot of dust.
   Make sure to clean your fans regularly so they don't generate a lot of dust in your house.
   
8. Limit house plants.
   Soil can be a great place for mold to grow.
   If you are allergic to mold, you may want to limit your houseplants to just a few or choose plants that require very little water.
   

Allergies can be a drag on your energy and your overall health and well-being.
If you are struggling with allergies, or have many symptoms but aren't sure whether you have an allergy, it is always advisable to consult with a qualified medical professional for treatment.
Fortunately with a little planning and effort there are things you can do to limit your exposure to common household allergies.