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11 Smart Ways to Prevent Allergies

Spring has sprung and you're tempted to fling open the windows and...ah-choo! No, you shouldn't have to put on a face mask this time of the year. These simple strategies will help keep stuffiness and sneezing at bay--inside and out.

1. Ditch the Carpeting

It may feel cushy underfoot, but carpet—especially in the bedroom where we spend eight-plus hours a night—can be a haven for dust mites. Worse, if it's been installed over concrete, carpeting can interfere with the evaporation of moisture, which also contributes to dust mites and mold, says James L. Sublett, M.D., chair of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Indoor Environment Committee. "Both thrive in high levels of humidity," he says. And both are common allergens. To discourage them, opt for bare floors or area rugs.

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