If you're not a sufferer, you may not realize it, but this is one of the peak times of the year for allergies.

 

Doctor Denis Fortier of the Central R-H-A says the biggest factor is dust mites.
 
Fortier says one place they start is in your furnace system, especially when they are first turned on in the fall and all of the dust and pollen that has built up over the summer blows out into your home.
 
He says it's a good idea to have your vents cleaned at least once a year.
 
Fortier says carpet is the biggest problem area in your home as it contains the most house dust mites.
 
He says those who suffer from allergies related to dust mites are better to have the carpet replaced with hardwood or linoleum.
 
Fortier says cleaning your house regularly will help take care of dust mites as well.
 
However, he says dusting and vacuuming will only stir them up into the air to be ingested.
 
Fortier says it's a good idea to leave the house for a couple of hours after that to let things settle.