Do you often suffer from the sniffles and a sore throat? Your home might be to blame.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, between 40 and 50 million people in the United States suffer from allergies, and a large percentage of them suffer from the effects of indoor allergens.

Dust Mites These bedroom dwellers feed on the shed skin of humans and their pets, which means they can be found throughout your house. Because most of us spend much of our time at home in the bedroom, they are especially populous there. The most problematic items are your mattress and pillow, but you can protect yourself by sealing these items in anti-allergen coverings and washing your bedding and curtains frequently.

Mold Any area of your home with high humidity or where water accumulates is prone to mold ? kitchens, bathrooms and basements are the best examples of such rooms. Mold thrives around cracks where water seeps in; around leaks in hoses, dishwashers and toilets; and under carpets that are frequently exposed to moisture. Paying attention to these areas and fixing leaks as they occur is your best prevention against this type of allergen. Preventing mold also protects your home?s value!

Cockroaches Despite their nasty persona, it?s not cockroaches that people are allergic to, it?s their droppings. Unfortunately, the protein in their dung is a primary trigger of allergic reactions and asthma symptoms. Attracted to humid, dark locales and exposed food sources, cockroaches are big fans of the kitchen, but they also swarm to basements with leaky pipes, as well as open garbage bins. Preventive measures include keeping food tightly sealed and garbage containers closed (or kept outside of your home), fixing leaky pipes when they occur, and vacuuming and/or sweeping floors frequently to make sure food crumbs are swept away. Another simple, over-the-counter remedy is to place roach motels in strategic locations throughout your home. However, if your roach problem is exceptionally bad, consider hiring an exterminator.

Pets Proteins from dander ? the skin flakes that your dog or cat sheds ?cause allergic reactions in many people. These proteins can be found in household dust and lodged in carpets and upholstery. If you are allergic to dander, consider that while there are no allergen-free breeds, the amount of dander produced varies by breed, so some breeds may be more agreeable to allergy sufferers than others. Try to spend time with someone else?s dog or cat to determine if you?re allergic before getting a pet of your own. In addition, some studies have shown that bathing your cat or dog on a weekly basis can help to reduce the amount of dander shed in your home.