Seasonal allergies may come and go, but for those who suffer indoors, symptoms can last year round.
Experts say the common culprits lurk in even the cleanest of homes. Here's what you can do to fight back.
When Nancy Foreman opens her door, she's greeted by unwanted visitors.
"I have suffered from indoor allergies for about ten years," said Foreman.
She also has asthma, so dust mites and mold make it worse.
"I have watery eyes. Sometimes, I will get a headache. I cannot talk," she said.
"Indoor allergens are really present all year round, so it's not something you ever get a break from," said Dr. Robert Wood, American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.
Wood says, while it may be impossible to avoid these allergens, there are ways to minimize exposure.
"And for that reason, it's actually very helpful to know what you're allergic to," said Wood. "It's important to know whether it's really the dust mite or the mold because you might need to do completely different things to control one or the other."
Dust mites thrive in bedding and soft furnishings, so wash sheets and pillows in water that is at least 130 degrees.
"And then once you've washed them, you want to encase them with a zipper cover for your pillows and your mattress. This is going to keep any dust mites from getting up into your airway as you sleep at night," said Angel Waldron, AAFA.
If you can't avoid pet dander, keep pets out of the bedroom and away from carpets.
"The carpet really holds animal allergens, and for that reason, any non-carpeted type of flooring is going to be preferable," said Wood.
Mold prefers basements and bathrooms, so fix leaky roofs or pipes.
"If you already have a mold problem and it's visible, a bleach-based solution is the best thing to get rid of that," said Wood.
Wood says that for many, minimized exposure combined with antihistamines often does the trick.
But if symptoms persist, it may be time to see a specialist.
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