That's Something to Sneeze At!

About 20 million Americans are allergic to dust mites -- tiny bugs you can't see that thrive in dust. Their waste products cause sneezing, coughing, and more. At least they don't bite.

Tests can pinpoint exactly what makes you sneeze inside your home -- pets, mold, dust mites, or something else.

To avoid dust mites -- and allergy symptoms -- wash bed linens once a week in hot water, between 130 and 140 F. If you keep your water heater set lower, you could wash your bedding at a laundromat instead.

Also use dust-proof covers on your mattress and pillows.

Cat or dog fur itself isn't usually the problem. What most likely makes you sneeze is your pet's dander -- tiny bits of dead skin that Fluffy and Fido shed.

 Some people also react to proteins in animal saliva or urine. Glands on pets' skin, especially cats, also make a protein that gets on fur. So when you come in contact with the fur, your allergy gets worse.

It isn't a big allergy problem indoors unless mold finds a damp spot to grow. Then, look out, almost any damp spot will do. That includes wood, carpet, paper, and insulation.

Clean up mold where it grows and fix the cause of the moisture, such as a leaky pipe. To keep indoor humidity low, vent bathrooms and dryers, use a dehumidifier, and run vent fans when you cook, clean, and wash dishes.

It may be big business, but there's no proof that it improves health. Even for people with allergies, it's not a must-do. Dust in dirty air ducts doesn't usually travel back into the living areas of the house.

One rare exception is when ducts are so clogged that tiny bits shoot into your home with each blast from your furnace or air conditioner.

Even with special filters, vacuum cleaners can blow around dust and pet hair while they suck it up. If you can, get someone who isn't allergic to do the job.

When you're stuck cleaning, your best bet is a central vacuum system in the house. Next best is a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter or double-layer bag. The machine should also have a sealed unit that won't spew dust, as well as at least 12 amps of dirt-sucking power. Wear a dust mask, too.

Allergy shots get to the root of the problem: the body's immune system. A full series of shots can take 3 years or more.

For some people, shots stop their symptoms for good. Others need to continue injections to keep effects like sneezing and itching at bay.

It's a breeding ground for dust mites. Wood floors give them less cover to hide in. Throw rugs are OK if you can wash them or get them cleaned often.

The first line of allergy defense is to avoid triggers, which is why your doctor may tell you to find Tiger a new home. But many people with allergies do live happily with four-legged friends if they're smart about it.

Banish pets from your bedroom. Install a central air filter and run the heat or A/C at least 4 hours a day. Wash walls often, and clean carpets with a HEPA-filter vacuum. Perhaps hardest, avoid petting and hugging your furry friend.

You could also ask your doctor about allergy shots.

Seal the toys in plastic bags and place in the freezer for at least 5 hours. Then rinse them in warm water and put them in the dryer to get rid of the dead mites.

Or try heat. Wash toys every other day in hot water. Dry them at the hottest setting.

Cockroach allergies are creepy but common. They're caused by the bugs' body parts or by proteins found in their droppings or saliva.

People with cockroach allergies need to keep a super-clean house. Keep food and garbage tightly lidded, put away pet food, wash dishes right after a meal, and eat only in dining areas -- even your midnight snacks.

The ideal humidity level in your home should be between 40% and 50%. If you go much higher, dust mites and mold start to multiply. A cheap device called a hygrometer can measure the moisture.

To avoid touching off a mold allergy, wipe down the tree's trunk with a mix of 1 part bleach to 32 parts water.

Also, to be sure you don't bring outdoor allergy triggers into the house, use a leaf blower to blast any pollen off the tree before it comes inside.

Most often, a gram of dust (the weight of a paper clip) has about 500 dust mites, but it can hold as many as 19,000 of the teeny critters. The bugs feed on flakes of human skin and animal dander. The average adult human sheds enough skin every day to feed a million mites.