Put Out The Welcome Mat

Many irritants -- dust, mold, dust mites, wood smoke, pesticides -- get tracked into your house on your shoes. Put out a large welcome mat so friends and family will wipe their shoes before entering. Choose a rubber mat that can be cleaned on a regular basis. Better yet, ask them to leave their shoes at the door.

Neti Pot: Clean Your Nasal Passages

Using a neti pot to irrigate your nasal passages may help reduce allergy symptoms. Fill the pot with lukewarm saline solution, tilt your head over the sink, then pour the salt water into one nostril and let it drain out of the other. The pots, which are available at health food and drugstores, sell for around $15 and contain instructions. You can also use a bulb syringe or rinse bottle to irrigate your nasal passages.

OTC Allergy Medications

Over-the-counter allergy medications come in pills, eye drops, and nasal sprays. Antihistamine pills help relieve allergy symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. Decongestants help with a stuffy nose. Antihistamine eye drops help itchy eyes. Allergy nasal sprays prevent sneezing and nasal symptoms. Decongestant nasal sprays are not the same thing -- using them for more than 3 days can lead to increased nasal congestion.